Investigative Services, EPSB

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Education, Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) issued Request for Proposal 540 2200000133 to procure investigative services for the investigation of professional misconduct reports involving educators throughout Kentucky. The scope of work encompasses investigating allegations of educator misconduct, conducting interviews with victims and witnesses, retrieving and reviewing relevant documentation including court records, preparing written investigative reports for EPSB legal counsel, and providing testimony at administrative hearings, with travel throughout Kentucky required and occasional out-of-state travel anticipated. The EPSB received between 844 and 1,029 misconduct reports annually from 2017 to 2019, demonstrating significant demand for investigative capacity. Mandatory qualifications include possession of a current valid Kentucky driver's license and a resume, while preferred qualifications include a minimum of two years' investigation experience, excellent communication and organizational skills, experience interviewing children and handling sensitive topics, and proficiency with internet and social media research tools. Offerors must demonstrate availability to commence work on a specified date, commit to a specified number of weekly hours, and confirm willingness to travel throughout the Commonwealth and undertake occasional out-of-state travel. The RFP evaluation criteria comprise technical proposals (1,100 maximum points) addressing qualifications (500 points), relevant experience (500 points), and availability (100 points), cost proposals (400 maximum points) submitted under sealed cover as hourly rates with the lowest cost receiving maximum points, and potential oral presentations (500 points), for a total of 2,000 possible evaluation points. Written questions were due January 24, 2022, with Commonwealth responses anticipated by February 4, 2022, and all proposals required submission by 2:30 PM Eastern Time on February 11, 2022, through secure file transfer at https://ftp.ky.gov with no bidders' conference scheduled.

The Commonwealth reserves the right to award multiple contracts and may request background checks no older than three months prior to contract award. Kentucky resident bidders and qualified bidders are eligible to receive reciprocal preferences of 15% or 20% of maximum points, respectively, though no specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise restrictions are identified in the procurement documents. All contractors must comply with the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, Federal Acquisition Regulation debarment certification requirements, FERPA regulations, data security and breach notification procedures under KRS 61.931 et seq., student data security requirements under KRS 365.734, and equal employment opportunity provisions. Contractor compensation will be processed through the Kentucky Human Resources Information System (KHRIS) with applicable tax withholdings, and travel expenses within Kentucky will be reimbursed according to the state's travel reimbursement policy outlined in 200:KAR 2:006. The anticipated contract term extends from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024, with renewal options 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. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the available procurement documents, with compensation structured exclusively on an hourly basis as submitted by offerors in their cost proposals.