ELU Books for Classrooms

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Education, through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, is soliciting bids for the procurement of educational board books for classrooms to be distributed across five Regional Training Centers located in Anderson County, Ashland Independent, Berea Independent, Calloway County, and Simpson County. The solicitation (RFB 758 2400000756) requests a total of 1,300 book sets comprised of five specific titles: "Bear Feels Sick" (Simon & Schuster), "The Feelings Book" (Little Brown & Company/Hachette Book Group), "My Many Colored Days" (Penguin Random House), "How Do I Love You" (Worthy Kids/Hachette Book Group), and "Jamberry" (Harper Collins), with 1,300 units of each title required. Vendors' written questions were due June 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM ET, with the final bid closing date of July 5, 2024, at 1:30 PM ET. All materials must be delivered by December 15, 2024, to meet grant guidelines, with front-door delivery required at all five locations as none have loading docks. Award will be determined on a best-value basis using measurable criteria weighted at 90 points for price and 10 points for delivery time (in working days), with the lowest-priced bidder receiving maximum points and subsequent bidders scored proportionally. All pricing must be quoted F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed, exclusive of federal excise taxes and Kentucky sales or use taxes, and proposed pricing must remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days after the bid due date. Bids must be submitted electronically through the Commonwealth's eProcurement system, with vendors required to register in the Vendor Self Service System at least 24-48 hours prior to submission.

Prior to award, vendors must provide proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, Automobile Liability Insurance if delivery or on-site services are performed, and required affidavits including a campaign finance compliance affidavit, resident bidder status affidavit, and qualified bidder status affidavit if applicable. Kentucky resident bidders may receive reciprocal preference as defined in KRS 45A.490-494, while qualified bidders including Kentucky Correctional Industries (20 percent preference), Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and nonprofit agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities (15 percent preference) are eligible for statutory preferences. Vendors must also submit a Kentucky Tax Registration Application (Revenue Form 10A100) and Certificate of Authority from the Secretary of State if applicable. A one percent per day penalty will be applied to invoices for each day delivery extends beyond the contracted date, and past vendor performance may be considered in award determinations. No incumbent vendor information, specific budget range, or contract award value is disclosed in the solicitation documents; however, the contract is structured as an indefinite-quantity award contract with no renewal options specified, and the request encompasses distribution to multiple Regional Training Centers across the state with a total of 1,300 book sets.