IDEA Mediator

The Kentucky Department of Education is requesting proposals for IDEA Mediator services under RFP 540 2700000021, with proposals due September 22, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Multiple contracts will be awarded with no guaranteed minimum work volume. The Commonwealth intends to award multiple contracts and reserves the right to renew for up to two additional two-year periods, subject to approval by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee.

Mandatory qualifications require offerors to hold one of three credentials: licensure as a Kentucky attorney in good standing, certification as a special education teacher by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board, or completion of 40 hours of court-approved mediation training per Supreme Court of Kentucky Administrative Procedures. Proposals failing to achieve a 50 percent minimum technical score will not advance to cost or oral presentation evaluation.

The scope encompasses impartial mediation services required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to resolve disputes between local education agencies and parents of students with disabilities. Offerors must demonstrate a minimum availability of 80 annual hours, ability to travel throughout the Commonwealth (with overnight travel acknowledged as possible), and expertise in special education law, litigation, and conflict resolution techniques.

Compensation is fixed at $75.00 per hour for mediation services, with reimbursement for authorized training, travel, and approved costs under state policy (200:KAR 2:006). No cost proposal scoring applies. Technical proposals are evaluated on a maximum of 1,000 points across mediation experience (375 points), qualifications and expertise in special education and conflict resolution (375 points), and availability for minimum 80 annual hours with statewide travel capability (250 points). Oral presentations or demonstrations may be required for the top three ranked vendors, valued at up to 200 points.

The contract term runs from January 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. Offerors must maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, plus Automobile Liability Insurance and Professional Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 minimum if applicable. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service System in three sealed parts: technical proposal, cost proposal, and proprietary information. Written questions were due August 28, 2026, with responses provided September 8, 2026. No in-person bidders' conference is scheduled.