Ribbons, Rosettes, and Banners

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet issued Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2100000327 on behalf of the Kentucky State Fair Board to establish a master agreement for the procurement of ribbons, rosettes, and banners for use at the Kentucky State Fair and the North American International Livestock Expo (NAILE). The solicitation encompasses 25 line items totaling an estimated 78,000 individual units, including flat ribbons ranging from 2.5" x 12", badge-type rosettes, multi-streamer rosettes in various sizes from 1.5" to 2.5" inches wide, wool felt and satin banners in multiple dimensions, exhibitor number cards, and arm band numbers with detailed manufacturing specifications requiring specific pleat counts and gold foil emblem printing. The contract will be awarded to a single vendor on a best value basis, with evaluation weighted at 90 points for pricing and 10 points for delivery performance, with the lowest bidder receiving maximum price points and other bidders receiving proportionally scaled scores. All deliverables must be delivered within 45 days after receipt of order to the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center at 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, Kentucky, with deliveries sooner than 45 days eligible for bonus points and late deliveries subject to a one percent per day penalty deduction from invoices. Bid submission was mandatory through the Commonwealth's eProcurement system with written questions due by January 19, 2021 at 10:00 AM ET and bids closing on January 27, 2021 at 1:30 PM ET. Vendors were required to submit samples of each rosette type, register in the Vendor Self Service System prior to submission, maintain firm pricing for 60 days following the bid due date and 12 months thereafter, and quote on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis, with all shipment and freight charges vendor-responsibility. The initial contract period is one year from the date of award with four optional one-year renewal periods available at the discretion of both parties.

Kentucky resident bidders are eligible for reciprocal preference equal to preferences given by the bidder's home state, while qualified bidders including Kentucky Correctional Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and nonprofits serving individuals with severe disabilities receive preference points equal to 20 percent and 15 percent respectively of maximum available points. All bidders must execute an Annual Affidavit under penalty of perjury affirming compliance with Kentucky statutory provisions regarding campaign finance laws, tax registration and collection, state tax and fee payment obligations, non-boycott requirements, and other regulatory compliance matters, with the affidavit effective for a maximum of one year and requiring notarization. Bidders claiming resident bidder status must provide proof of authorization to conduct business in Kentucky and demonstrate compliance with corporate income tax filings, unemployment insurance contributions, and workers' compensation insurance for the one-year period preceding contract advertisement. The solicitation specifies that estimated quantities are for planning purposes only and do not guarantee purchase volumes, with the state obligated to purchase only quantities required during the contract term. No specific overall contract award value or budget range is disclosed in the solicitation documents, though individual line item quantities and specifications are detailed. The Commonwealth reserves the right to cancel the contract with 30 days' notice and may disqualify bidders or terminate contracts for failure to provide required documentation or for non-compliance with affidavit statements.