Courier Service for Newborn Screening Samples

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, procuring on behalf of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, is requesting bids for daily courier service for newborn screening specimens and other clinical and environmental samples from 46 Kentucky birthing hospitals and 12 health departments to the Kentucky Division of Laboratory Services in Frankfort, with bids due July 20, 2026 at 1:30 PM EST.

Kentucky resident bidders are eligible for reciprocal preference under KRS 45A.494, and qualified bidders including Kentucky Correctional Industries and nonprofit organizations may receive additional preference points. The solicitation is issued as a Group All requiring vendors to bid all line items.

Service scope includes daily pickups Sunday through Friday after 5:00 PM EST/CST from hospitals and Monday through Friday after 4:00 PM EST/CST from health departments, with next-morning delivery by 7:00 AM to Frankfort. An on-demand/route add-on service for time-critical samples requiring delivery within 24 hours of notification is also required. The contractor must maintain specimen temperatures not exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit, comply with all HIPAA requirements, and provide electronic tracking and documentation of specimen pick-ups through a vendor-maintained system accessible to Division of Laboratory Services staff. Pricing is submitted on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis.

Award will be made on best value: 80 points for Line 1 monthly price and 20 points for Line 2 pricing, with the lowest bidder receiving maximum points and subsequent bids scored proportionally. The initial contract term is one year from award, with optional renewal for four additional two-year periods subject to written approval and potential renegotiation. Price increases are prohibited during the first 12 months; thereafter, requests require 30 days' advance notice with industry-wide justification.

Vendors must maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit. Bids must be submitted electronically through the Commonwealth eProcurement System. Prices must remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days after the bid due date. Written questions were due June 29, 2026; Commonwealth responses are due July 13, 2026.