Recruiting Coordinator for Youth Bluegrass Challenge Academy

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Military Affairs is seeking a Recruiting Coordinator for the Youth Bluegrass Challenge Academy, with the procurement opportunity (RFP 095 2500000213) targeting Hardin County and specifically located at Fort Knox. The selected contractor will be responsible for recruiting at-risk candidates ages 15.5-18 years old, coordinating mentor/mentee trainings, and supporting data entry for residential and post-residential program phases. The contractor must recruit a minimum of 100 accepted applicants per fiscal year across two residential classes, working up to 140 hours per month and traveling throughout Kentucky. Evaluation criteria are comprehensive, including a technical component worth 100 points, a cost component worth 60 points, and an optional oral presentation worth 25 points. Vendors must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of recruiting and/or youth challenge experience. The proposal is due by February 20, 2025, at 15:30 ET, with an initial contract term anticipated from April 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and potential renewals for up to two additional two-year periods.

Specific vendor requirements include mandatory registration with the Kentucky Secretary of State and completion of background screening through KARES (Kentucky Applicant Registry and Employment Screening), which requires fingerprinting. While no explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documents, the procurement appears open to qualified vendors meeting the experience and screening requirements. Travel expenses are reimbursable within the contract scope, and vendors will be expected to complete a cost proposal using the attached Excel spreadsheet. Though the exact budget range is not specified, the comprehensive requirements and extensive recruitment expectations suggest a substantive contract value. The procurement documents indicate this is a service contract focused on youth intervention and recruitment, with potential meaningful impact on at-risk youth in the Kentucky region.