KHP SPONSORSHIP - Event Sponsor

The Kentucky Horse Park, operating under the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, is soliciting event sponsors through this Request for Proposals (RFP) to support special events and newly constructed barns at the facility. The procurement seeks both cash and in-kind sponsorships, with sponsorship tiers structured as follows: Series Sponsor at $10,000 (covering up to five event dates), Presenting Sponsor at $5,000 per event, Gold Sponsor at $2,500 per event, Silver Sponsor at $1,500 per event, and Bronze Sponsor at $500 per event, with in-kind sponsorships requiring a minimum assessed value of $500 per event. The anticipated contract term is a minimum of one year with two additional one-year renewal periods, supporting approximately 10 events per year with a maximum of 20 sponsors per event. Evaluation will be conducted on a 100-point scale, with 20 points awarded for responsiveness to the solicitation requirements, 20 points for respondent background and compatibility with the Kentucky Horse Park's mission, and 60 points for the sponsorship response including items or monetary value offered; a minimum score of 80 points is required for acceptance. Electronic submissions are required via the Vendor Self Service website with a deadline of October 3, 2025, at 3:00 PM. No formal bidders conference or site visit requirements are specified in the solicitation.

The Kentucky Horse Park reserves the right to reject any sponsorships that conflict with the agency's goals or mission and prohibits sponsors from claiming to be "official sponsors" due to state regulatory restrictions, which may effectively limit certain marketing claims by sponsors. The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or particular organizational classifications, nor does it identify any incumbent vendors or current contractors for comparison. No specific budget range or total award value is disclosed in the solicitation materials; rather, award values will depend on the number and tier level of sponsors accepted up to the maximum of 20 sponsors per event. The sponsorship structure provides flexibility for organizations of varying financial capacity to participate, with entry points ranging from $500 for in-kind contributions to $10,000 for series sponsorships. Respondents should ensure their sponsorship proposals align directly with the Kentucky Horse Park's stated mission and demonstrate clear compatibility with equestrian and tourism objectives to maximize their competitive scoring.