KHP SPONSORSHIP -Barn Complex Naming Rights

The Kentucky Horse Park, an agency of the Commonwealth of Kentucky operating under the Tourism Arts & Heritage Cabinet, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for naming rights sponsorship of the Barn Complex located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The procurement seeks proposals from qualified individuals or companies to obtain exclusive naming rights to a complex consisting of eleven barns, including five newly constructed state-of-the-art barns (with two completed in Fall 2024 and two additional barns estimated for completion in Fall 2026 and 2027) and five original wooden barns. Each barn is equipped with 100 stalls measuring 10' x 12', along with restrooms, wash bays, and muck pits. The facility attracts over 200 event dates annually and receives over 1.7 million visitors from around the world, providing significant exposure to diverse and affluent audiences. Proposals must be submitted via the Vendor Self Service website by March 24, 2026, at 3:00 PM, with no site visits or bidders' conferences specified. Respondents will be evaluated on a 100-point scale based on responsiveness to the solicitation (20 points), respondent background and compatibility with the Kentucky Horse Park's mission (20 points), and sponsorship response including items or monetary value being offered (60 points), with a minimum score of 80 required for consideration. The Kentucky Horse Park reserves the right to reject proposals that conflict with the agency's mission, branding, or image.

The sponsorship agreement carries a fixed fee of $2 million in cash only for an initial ten-year term, with an option to extend for an additional five years at $100,000 per year ($500,000 total). As part of the sponsorship package, the sponsor will receive substantial marketing benefits, including facility signage on all eleven barns, website recognition with live links, digital and video board placement, two annual social media posts, brochure placement in visitor centers, and discounted meeting space at twenty-five percent off standard rates. Respondents must demonstrate financial stability and provide a notarized affidavit confirming compliance with campaign finance laws. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational types are noted in the solicitation materials; however, the Kentucky Horse Park retains discretionary authority to reject proposals based on mission and branding compatibility. The opportunity represents a significant sponsorship investment with high-visibility marketing exposure at a major Kentucky tourism destination.