DOCJT Audiologist Testing

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) issued a Request for Proposal on May 31, 2021, for qualified audiologists or organizations to provide occupational hearing testing services in Kenton County. The primary deliverables include baseline audiometric testing conducted by licensed or certified audiologists at the provider's location during an employee's first six months of employment, annual comparison testing with baseline results, documentation of standard threshold shifts, and comprehensive record maintenance in compliance with 29 C.F.R. 1910.95 (Occupational Noise Exposure) standards. Additional required services include retesting within 30 days upon request, reporting of results to the Commonwealth's Human Resources representative within five days of initial testing and within the first month of each year for annual tests, and full compliance with HIPAA and all applicable federal and state regulations. The testing will serve staff in the Firearms, Critical Skills, Operational Skills, and other sections as determined by DOCJT leadership. Qualified vendors must possess appropriate state, local, and federal licensing and certifications, maintain general liability and professional liability insurance, hold Workers' Compensation coverage, and comply with bio-hazardous waste disposal requirements. The evaluation will allocate 600 technical points based on previous experience and professional qualifications with three required references (300 points), sample audiometric test records and reporting formats (200 points), and availability and hours of operation (100 points), plus 400 cost points, with an additional 250 points available if oral presentations are conducted. Sealed proposals were due by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on June 30, 2021, and the anticipated contract term is August 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, with Commonwealth renewal options for up to two additional two-year periods subject to approval by the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee.

Kentucky resident bidders and qualified bidders may receive reciprocal preferences of 15 to 20 percent of maximum points under KRS 45A.490 and 45A.494; however, no specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or other restricted designations were identified in the solicitation. No incumbent contractors or current vendors were listed in the RFP materials, and no existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements were specified. The proposal must include all-inclusive costs for initial audiometric testing, retesting when required or requested, and annual audiometric testing inclusive of baseline comparison and standard threshold shift determination, though specific award values or budget ranges were not disclosed in the available documentation. Proposals must be submitted in sealed packages with separate technical and cost proposals, and all submitted proposals remain valid for a minimum of six months after the June 30, 2021, proposal due date. The Commonwealth reserved the right to reject any and all proposals, request best and final offers, conduct discussions with offerors, and negotiate fair and reasonable compensation rates based on submitted pricing.