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 birthing hospitals and health departments statewide to the Kentucky Division of Laboratory Services in Frankfort, with bids due July 20, 2026 at 1:30 PM EST.

The service encompasses daily pickups Sunday through Friday after 5:00 PM EST/CST from 46 birthing hospitals and Monday through Friday after 4:00 PM EST/CST from 12 health departments (including one correctional facility), with next-morning delivery by 7:00 AM EST to the laboratory in Frankfort. An on-demand service line item covers time-critical samples requiring delivery within 24 hours of notification, predicted to occur fewer than five times annually. Newborn screening specimens must be maintained below 80 degrees Fahrenheit in optimal humidity below 30% without direct sunlight; specimens from health departments and correctional facilities require outer containers with ice packs after pickup. The contractor must provide PPE, biohazard bags, coolers, and refrigerant, and maintain daily courier logs documenting pickup times and envelope counts.

Award will be made on best-value basis with 80 points allocated to the lowest monthly pricing for primary courier service (Line 1) and 20 points to the lowest on-demand pricing (Line 2). Kentucky resident bidders receive reciprocal preference; Kentucky Correctional Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and qualifying nonprofits serving individuals with severe disabilities receive preference equal to 15–20 percent of maximum points. The initial contract term is one year from award, with four optional two-year renewal periods. The current contract value is $520,260 annually. All pricing must remain valid for 60 calendar days after the bid due date. Price increases are prohibited during the first 12 months; thereafter, increases may be requested with 30 days' written notice and industry-wide justification. Vendors must provide Commercial General Liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate) and Automobile Liability insurance ($1,000,000 combined single limit). Bids must be submitted electronically through the Commonwealth eProcurement system; bidders must register in the Vendor Self Service System at least 24–48 hours before submission. The Commonwealth will pay within 30 working days of invoice receipt, with 1% monthly penalty assessed on undisputed amounts remaining unpaid after 30 working days. Vendors' written questions were due June 29, 2026, with Commonwealth responses provided July 13, 2026, as modified by Addendum 1. The contract start date is projected for August 1, 2026.