Child Support Genetic Testing

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) is soliciting proposals through Request for Proposal 040 2600000321 for genetic testing services to establish paternity in child support cases across all 120 Kentucky counties under the state's IV-D child support program. The procurement seeks qualified testing laboratories to provide DNA genetic testing services on a statewide basis, with vendors required to be accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and capable of completing at least 500 DNA tests monthly with a minimum of five years of experience collecting DNA samples via buccal swab, including monthly collection averages of 1,000 samples in 2025. Compensation will be structured as a per-sample-collection pricing model, with vendors responsible for all associated costs including site rental, sample collection, storage, handling, shipping, staffing, and expert witness testimony. The RFP was issued on February 26, 2026, with written questions due by March 9, 2026, and proposals due by April 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time; no in-person bidder's conference is scheduled. The anticipated contract term extends from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with renewal options for up to two additional two-year periods subject to agency discretion and approval by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee. Proposals will be evaluated on technical factors worth up to 1,300 points and cost factors worth 200 points, with potential oral presentations adding up to 100 additional points for a total possible score of 1,600 points. Vendors must maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, Professional Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per claim, and Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit if applicable.

The solicitation indicates that Kentucky resident bidders and qualified bidders may receive preferential scoring; however, no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly detailed in the available documentation. No incumbent vendor information has been specified in the solicitation materials provided. Baseline volume expectations are established from State Fiscal Year 2025 data, during which the genetic testing vendor collected 8,778 individual samples and completed 3,492 genetic tests, providing reference points for anticipated contract workload. All bidders must complete and submit the Annual Required Affidavit for Bidders, Offerors and Contractors, executed and notarized in compliance with Kentucky Revised Statutes 45A.110 and 45A.115, certifying compliance with state campaign finance laws. The Commonwealth reserves the right to negotiate pricing and reject any or all proposals submitted. No explicit budget range or award value is specified in the solicitation; pricing will be determined through the competitive proposal process based on the per-sample-collection fee structure submitted by vendors.