On-Call Licensed/Registered Dietician

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, specifically the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs for the Paul E Patton Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard, is seeking an on-call Licensed/Registered Dietician through a Request for Proposal (RFP). The contract, with an initial term from 08/01/2025 through 06/30/2026 and potential for two two-year renewals, requires a dietician to perform comprehensive nutritional services for the veterans center's residents. Key responsibilities include conducting in-depth nutritional assessments, developing nutritional care plans, documenting and tracking medical nutritional therapy and risk, and providing staff education and training. The evaluation process is rigorous, with a total possible score of 1,400 points distributed across technical proposal (800 points), cost proposal (400 points), and potential oral presentations (200 points). Critical evaluation criteria include professional references, previous long-term care facility experience, ability to provide a dietician within seven days of request, and having staff located within a 60-mile radius of the Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center. The proposal submission deadline is 06/20/2025 at 3:00 PM EST, with the Commonwealth reserving the right to negotiate pricing and reject any or all proposals.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The proposal will evaluate cost elements including regular pay, holiday pay, shift preference pay, and overtime pay, suggesting flexibility for various provider structures. While no incumbent vendor is identified in the documentation, the contract appears structured to accommodate both individual practitioners and small firms capable of providing specialized dietician services. The evaluation criteria emphasize proximity and experience, which may favor local or regional providers with established healthcare support capabilities. Although a specific budget range is not disclosed, the comprehensive scoring methodology and detailed service requirements indicate this is a substantive professional services contract with potential for ongoing engagement through possible renewal periods. The Commonwealth's procurement approach suggests a commitment to securing high-quality, responsive nutritional support services for the veterans center.