Prisoner Transportation Vehicles

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Finance and Administration Cabinet, specifically the Kentucky Department of Corrections (KYDOC), is seeking to procure specialized prisoner transportation vehicles through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) released on July 28, 2025. The solicitation targets four distinct vehicle types: Unit #1 with a 35-prisoner capacity and wheelchair accessibility, Unit #2 with a 22-26 prisoner capacity, Unit #3 as a 14-passenger vehicle, and Unit #4 a cargo van with a prisoner transport insert. Each vehicle must meet stringent security requirements, including expanded metal security walls, isolation cells, motorized wheelchair lifts, onboard generators, and comprehensive camera systems. The evaluation process will assess proposals across three key areas: technical proposal (600 points), cost proposal (360 points), and potential oral presentations (190 points), with a total possible evaluation score of 1,150 points. Proposals are due by August 21, 2025, at 3:30 PM ET, with the initial contract term running from the award date through September 30, 2026, and potential for five additional two-year renewal periods. Vendors can bid on individual vehicle units and are not required to submit proposals for all units.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors will be required to submit pricing using Attachment B, with the Commonwealth being tax-exempt and deliveries to be made to the Northpoint Training Center in Burgin, Kentucky. While specific award values are not disclosed, the procurement allows for potential contract extensions to other state agencies with vendor consent. The solicitation provides flexibility for vendors, permitting partial bids on vehicle units and offering a comprehensive evaluation process that considers both technical capabilities and cost-effectiveness. No information is provided about incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure requirements. The Commonwealth reserves the right to negotiate with the top-ranked vendor, suggesting a competitive and potentially iterative procurement process designed to secure the most suitable prisoner transportation vehicles for the Kentucky Department of Corrections.