KDLA Library Services & Technology Act-5 Year Evaluation

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure evaluation and planning services related to the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Five-Year Plan. The contractor will conduct an independent evaluation of Kentucky's 2023-2027 LSTA Five-Year Plan in accordance with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) guidelines and develop a comprehensive outline for the 2028-2032 Five-Year Plan. Required deliverables include an initial evaluation report draft by October 31, 2026, a second draft by November 30, 2026, and a final evaluation report by January 21, 2027, followed by development of the subsequent five-year plan outline with drafts due February 11 and March 11, 2027, and final submission by April 15, 2027. The contractor must demonstrate relevant library and/or evaluation experience and possess the capability to conduct stakeholder engagement through focus groups and interviews, develop and administer surveys, analyze data, and document evaluation methodologies. The evaluation criteria allocate 700 points for the technical proposal (250 points for firm history and experience, 300 points for detailed scope of services, and 150 points for implementation plan and timeline), 250 points for the cost proposal (with lowest price receiving maximum points), and 50 potential points for oral presentations if required. Proposals must be submitted electronically in three separate parts—technical proposal, cost proposal, and proprietary information—by June 5, 2026, at 3:30 PM EST, with written questions due by May 12, 2026. Work is anticipated to commence in July 2026 and conclude by June 30, 2027, with no bidders conference scheduled.

Kentucky resident bidders and qualified bidders under KRS 45A.490 and 45A.492 are eligible for reciprocal preferences; however, no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are identified in the procurement documents. No incumbent contractor is listed for this engagement. The contractor must maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, along with Professional Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per claim. A fixed-fee proposal with detailed cost breakdowns for staff time, travel, communications, and report preparation is required, though no specific budget range or award value is provided in the solicitation. Award notification will be posted to the Kentucky Vendor Self Service website, and the contract is subject to approval by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and filing with the Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee prior to execution.