Recruiting Coordinator for Youth Bluegrass Challenge Academy

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Military Affairs, issued Request for Proposal (RFP) 095 2500000099 to procure a personal service contract for a Recruiting Coordinator to support the Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy located at Fort Knox. The contractor will recruit approximately 100 at-risk candidates annually, ages 15.5 to 18 years, across five geographic regions throughout Kentucky for a residential youth challenge program. Key responsibilities include maintaining relationships with referral sources such as courts and schools, conducting applicant interviews, assisting with cadet transport and special events, and supporting all three program phases (acclimation, residential, and post-residential). The position requires approximately 140 hours per month with required travel to Fort Knox and regional National Guard Armories. The anticipated contract term runs from November 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, with renewal options for up to two additional two-year periods subject to approval by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee. Evaluation criteria include technical qualifications scored on a 100-point maximum basis, comprising a mandatory requirement of minimum five years of recruiting and youth challenge experience, a resume detailing recruiting experience worth 25 points, and qualifications and expertise with past work examples worth 75 points. Cost proposals are evaluated on a lowest-price basis for a maximum of 60 points, and the Commonwealth reserves the right to conduct oral presentations for the top four ranked vendors, potentially adding 25 points. The proposal submission deadline was October 7, 2024, at 3:30 PM Eastern Time, with all submissions required through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service System.

The solicitation includes reciprocal preference provisions for Kentucky resident bidders and qualified bidder preferences. The contractor must undergo KARES background screening with fingerprints, and employment is contingent on no substantiated findings. The Academy will provide all equipment, supplies, marketing materials, and a cellphone, with travel reimbursement available as a separate line item. No specific pricing amounts or budget ranges are disclosed in the solicitation documents; instead, contractors submit costs on the provided Cost Proposal Form (Attachment A). No incumbent vendor or current contractor information is referenced in the solicitation materials. Specific award values are not listed in the available documentation, as pricing is submitted by responding vendors on a competitive basis and evaluated according to the lowest-price criterion outlined in the evaluation framework.