Courier Service for Newborn Screening Samples

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet on behalf of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is requesting bids for courier service to transport newborn screening samples from 46 birthing hospitals and 12 health departments statewide to the Kentucky Division of Laboratory Services in Frankfort, with bids due July 14, 2026 at 1:30 PM EST. Kentucky resident bidder preference and qualified bidder preferences (Kentucky Correctional Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and qualifying nonprofit agencies) apply under KRS 45A.490-494 and KAR 200 5:410.

The scope comprises two line items: routine daily courier service for specimen pick-up from hospitals Sunday through Friday after 5:00 PM EST/CST and health departments Monday through Friday after 4:00 PM EST/CST, with next-morning delivery by 7:00 AM EST, and on-demand/route add-on service for time-critical samples requiring delivery within 24 hours of notification. Vendors must comply with HIPAA regulations, maintain specimens at temperatures not exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and provide electronic tracking and barcode scanning capabilities. Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate) and Automobile Liability Insurance ($1,000,000 combined single limit).

The contract term is one year initial with four optional two-year renewal periods. Pricing must be submitted as monthly costs and remain valid for a minimum of 60 days after the bid due date. No price increases are permitted during the first 12 months; increases thereafter require industry-wide justification. Award will be based on best value scoring: 80 points for Line 1 monthly pricing and 20 points for Line 2 on-demand pricing, with the lowest-priced bidder receiving maximum points and subsequent bidders' scores calculated proportionally.

Vendors' written questions are due June 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST, with Commonwealth responses due July 6, 2026. Electronic submission through the Kentucky eProcurement system is required, and all bidders must be registered in the Vendor Self Service System.