Read to Succeed Family Resource

The Kentucky Department of Education is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP 540 2600000225) for a personal service contract to design and deliver a comprehensive early literacy resource package for families in support of Kentucky's Read to Succeed Act. The procurement seeks a single qualified vendor to develop evidence-based, family-facing literacy resources that address the five essential components of literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Deliverables must include high-quality decodable texts, knowledge-building books, instructional content for parents and families, and manipulatives such as letter cards, word-building tiles, and phoneme blending tools, all aligned with the science of reading framework and designed for children in kindergarten through third grade. Materials must be available in both English and Spanish, may incorporate technology-based formats, and must include a detailed statewide distribution plan. The contract term runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with one optional two-year renewal period extending through June 30, 2030. Written questions are due by 2:00 PM on February 5, 2026, and proposals must be submitted electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service System by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on March 2, 2026. Evaluation will be conducted on a 1,000-point maximum scale: 500 points for technical merit addressing alignment with Read to Succeed framework, quality and depth of instructional content, integration of materials and manipulatives, and distribution planning; 300 points for cost; and up to 200 points for oral demonstrations if required. Proposals scoring below 50% of maximum technical points will not advance to cost evaluation. Vendors must be registered in the eProcurement system prior to submission, with all proposals submitted electronically in three sealed parts: Technical Proposal, Cost Proposal, and Proprietary Information.

Kentucky resident bidders and qualified bidders, including nonprofit organizations serving individuals with severe disabilities, are eligible for preferential scoring under KRS 45A.490 and 200 KAR 5:410. No incumbent vendor or current contractor information is disclosed in the RFP documentation. The cost proposal form is the only acceptable method for pricing submission, with vendors required to provide annual cost projections for each contract year and a detailed itemized breakdown of services for both the initial two-year term and the optional renewal period; all travel expenses must be incorporated into the total cost proposal with no additional reimbursement permitted beyond the quoted amount. The Commonwealth reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, request best and final offers, or negotiate fair and reasonable compensation. No specific budget amount or distribution quantities are disclosed in the RFP; however, funding is allocated from general funds. The solicitation does not provide estimated award values, budget ranges, or quantity estimates, requiring interested vendors to develop cost proposals based on their proposed scope and delivery methodology.