KET Additional Production Technicians FY27

Kentucky Educational Television (KET), a state agency of the Commonwealth of Kentucky located in Fayette County, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to contract with a pool of up to eight (8) production technicians on a contract basis to provide television videography and audio services for studio and field productions. The contract period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, with an option to renew for up to two additional two-year periods subject to approval. The production technicians will operate professional studio cameras, broadcast cameras, and cinema cameras for various educational programs including Kentucky Tonight, Comment on Kentucky, Kentucky Edition, and Kentucky Life, with work locations at the KET Network Center in Lexington (600 Cooper Drive) and the KET Louisville Production Center (471 W. Main Street). Required qualifications include the ability to operate professional broadcast equipment, work on both studio and field productions, and maintain appropriate insurance coverage. The evaluation will be based on a technical proposal worth a maximum of 1,360 points, with oral demonstrations or presentations potentially worth an additional 200 points if required. Key deadlines include written questions due by May 22, 2026, an Offeror's Conference via Microsoft Teams on June 3, 2026 at 14:30 Eastern Time, and proposal submission electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service System by June 16, 2026 at 16:30 Eastern Time.

Compensation is structured by task type and duration, with studio camera operation rates ranging from $150 for a half-day (up to 5 hours) to $300 for a full day (5-10 hours) at $45 per hour for premium time; field camera operation and audio operation rates mirror these amounts with $56.25 per hour for premium time; and training, if required, is compensated at $30 per hour. Contractors may work up to 230 days during the initial contract period but are not guaranteed any specific number of work days. Vendors must maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence if driving to KET worksites. Travel expenses including per diem and mileage reimbursement are authorized with KET pre-approval, not to exceed $1,000 total for the contract period. Invoices are submitted bi-monthly on the 15th and 30th of each month, with the Commonwealth paying within thirty working days of receipt. The RFP resulted from the passage of H.R. 4 Rescissions Act, which eliminated federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting effective October 1, 2025, causing KET to lose $4.2 million in annual funding (75% of discretionary funds).