Willed Body Program, Mortuary Services & Transportation Services

Request for Proposal
UK-2616-27
Proposal Due Date - 08/18/2026
WILLED BODY PROGRAM,
MORTUARY SERVICES &
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
Revised 3-11-2026

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
ATTENTION: This is not an order. Read all instructions, terms and conditions carefully.
PROPOSAL NO.: UK-2616-27 RETURN ORIGINAL COPY OF PROPOSAL TO:
Issue Date: July 14, 2026 UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Title: Willed Body Program, Mortuary Services & Transportation PROCUREMENT SERVICES
Services
Purchasing Officer: Vicki Brown 411 S LIMESTONE
Phone: 859-218-9102 ROOM 322 PETERSON SERVICE BLDG.
Email: Vicki.Brown@uky.edu LEXINGTON, KY 40506-0005
IMPORTANT: PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY: 08-18-2026 3 P.M. LEXINGTON, KY TIME.
NOTICE OF REQUIREMENTS
1. The University's General Terms and Conditions and Instructions to Bidders, viewable at https://purchasing.uky.edu/bid-and-proposal-opportunities, apply to
this RFP. When the RFP includes construction services, the University's General Conditions and Special Conditions for Construction and Instructions to
Bidders, viewable at https://purchasing.uky.edu/bid-and-proposal-opportunities, apply to the RFP.
2. Contracts resulting from this RFP must be governed by and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
3. Any agreement or collusion among offerors or prospective offerors, which restrains, tends to restrain, or is reasonably calculated to restrain competition by
agreement to bid at a fixed price or to refrain from offering, or otherwise, is prohibited.
4. Any person who violates any provisions of KRS 45A.325 shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by a fine of not less than five thousand dollars nor
more than ten thousand dollars or be imprisoned not less than one year nor more than five years, or both such fine and imprisonment. Any firm, corporation,
or association who violates any of the provisions of KRS 45A.325 shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than ten thousand dollars or more than twenty
thousand dollars.
AUTHENTICATION OF BID AND STATEMENT OF NON-COLLUSION AND NON-CONFLICT OF INTEREST
I hereby swear (or affirm) under the penalty for false swearing as provided by KRS 523.040:
1. That I am the offeror (if the offeror is an individual), a partner, (if the offeror is a partnership), or an officer or employee of the bidding corporation having
authority to sign on its behalf (if the offeror is a corporation);
2. That the attached proposal has been arrived at by the offeror independently and has been submitted without collusion with, and without any agreement,
understanding or planned common course of action with, any other Contractor of materials, supplies, equipment or services described in the RFP, designed to
limit independent bidding or competition;
3. That the contents of the proposal have not been communicated by the offeror or its employees or agents to any person not an employee or agent of the
offeror or its surety on any bond furnished with the proposal and will not be communicated to any such person prior to the official closing of the RFP:
4. That the offeror is legally entitled to enter into contracts with the University of Kentucky and is not in violation of any prohibited conflict of interest, including,
but not limited to, those prohibited by the provisions of KRS 45A.330 to .340, and164.390;
5. That the offeror, and its affiliates, are duly registered with the Kentucky Department of Revenue to collect and remit the sale and use tax imposed by Chapter
139 to the extent required by Kentucky law and will remain registered for the duration of any contract award;
6. That I have fully informed myself regarding the accuracy of the statement made above.
SWORN STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS
In accordance with KRS45A.110 (2), the undersigned hereby swears under penalty of perjury that he/she has not knowingly violated any provision of the
campaign finance laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and that the award of a contract to a bidder will not violate any provision of the campaign finance
laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
CONTRACTOR REPORT OF PRIOR VIOLATIONS OF KRS CHAPTERS 136, 139, 141, 337, 338, 341 & 342
The contractor by signing and submitting a proposal agrees as required by 45A.485 to submit final determinations of any violations of the provisions of KRS
Chapters 136, 139, 141, 337, 338, 341 and 342 that have occurred in the previous five (5) years prior to the award of a contract and agrees to remain in
continuous compliance with the provisions of the statutes during the duration of any contract that may be established. Final determinations of violations of
these statutes must be provided to the University by the successful contractor prior to the award of a contract.
CERTIFICATION OF NON-SEGREGATED FACILITIES
The contractor, by submitting a proposal, certifies that he/she is in compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations, No. 41 CFR 60-1.8(b) that prohibits the
maintaining of segregated facilities.
SIGNATURE REQUIRED: This proposal cannot be considered valid unless signed and dated by an authorized agent of the offeror. Type or print the signatory's
name, title, address, phone number and fax number in the spaces provided. Offers signed by an agent are to be accompanied by evidence of his/her authority
unless such evidence has been previously furnished to the issuing office
DELIVERY TIME: NAME OF COMPANY: DUNS #
PROPOSAL FIRM ADDRESS: Phone/Fax:
THROUGH:
PAYMENT TERMS: CITY, STATE & ZIP CODE: E-MAIL:
FEDERAL EMPLOYER ID TYPED OR PRINTED NAME: WEB ADDRESS:
NO.:
SIGNATURE: DATE:
Revised 3-11-2026

PROPOSAL NO. UK-2616-27 3
Table of Contents
1.0 DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................ 6
2.0 GENERAL OVERVIEW .................................................................................................. 7
2.1 Intent and Scope ....................................................................................................... 7
2.3 University Information ................................................................................................ 7
2.4 Economic Engagement and Procurement ................................................................ 10
3.0 PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................... 12
3.1 Key Event Dates ...................................................................................................... 12
3.2 Offeror Communication ............................................................................................ 12
3.4 Offeror Presentations ............................................................................................... 12
3.5 Preparation of Offers ............................................................................................... 13
3.6 Proposed Deviations from the RFP .......................................................................... 13
3.7 Proposal Submission and Deadline ......................................................................... 13
3.8 Modification or Withdrawal of Offer .......................................................................... 14
3.9 Acceptance or Rejection and Award of Proposal ..................................................... 14
3.10 Rejection ................................................................................................................. 14
3.11 Addenda .................................................................................................................. 15
3.12 Disclosure of Offeror's Response ............................................................................ 15
3.13 Restrictions on Communications with University Staff .............................................. 15
3.14 Cost of Preparing Proposal ...................................................................................... 16
3.15 Disposition of Proposals .......................................................................................... 16
3.16 Alternate Proposals ................................................................................................. 16
3.17 Questions ................................................................................................................ 16
3.18 Section Titles in the RFP ......................................................................................... 16
3.19 No Contingent Fees ................................................................................................. 16
3.20 Proposal Addenda and Rules for Withdrawal ........................................................... 16
3.21 Requirement to Perform Vendor Onboarding and Registration ................................ 17
4.0 PROPOSAL FORMAT AND CONTENT ....................................................................... 17
4.1 Proposal Information and Criteria ............................................................................ 17
4.2 Signed Authentication of Proposal and Statements of Non-Collusion and Non-
Conflict of Interest Form ................................................................................................... 17
4.3 Transmittal Letter ..................................................................................................... 18
4.4 Executive Summary and Proposal Overview ........................................................... 18
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PROPOSAL NO. UK-2616-27 4
4.5 Criteria 1: Offeror Qualifications ............................................................................... 19
4.6 Criteria 2: Services Defined ..................................................................................... 19
. 20
5.0 EVALUATION CRITERIA PROCESS ........................................................................... 20
6.0 SPECIAL CONDITIONS ............................................................................................... 21
6.1 Contract Term .......................................................................................................... 21
6.2 Effective Date .......................................................................................................... 21
6.3 Competitive Negotiation ........................................................................................... 22
6.4 Appearance Before Committee ................................................................................ 22
6.5 Additions, Deletions or Contract Changes ............................................................... 22
6.6 Contractor Cooperation in Related Efforts ............................................................... 22
6.7 Entire Agreement ..................................................................................................... 23
6.8 Governing Law ........................................................................................................ 23
6.9 Kentucky's Personal Information Security and Breach Investigation Procedures and
Practices Act .................................................................................................................... 23
6.10 Termination for Convenience ................................................................................... 23
6.11 Termination for Non-Performance ............................................................................ 24
6.12 Funding Out ............................................................................................................. 25
6.13 Prime Contractor Responsibility ............................................................................... 25
6.14 Assignment and Subcontracting .............................................................................. 25
6.15 Permits, Licenses, Taxes ......................................................................................... 25
6.16 Attorneys' Fees ........................................................................................................ 25
6.17 Royalties, Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks ...................................................... 26
6.18 Indemnification ........................................................................................................ 26
6.19 Insurance ................................................................................................................. 26
6.20 Method of Award ..................................................................................................... 27
6.21 Reciprocal Preference ............................................................................................. 27
6.22 Reports and Auditing ............................................................................................... 27
6.23 Confidentiality .......................................................................................................... 27
6.24 Conflict of Interest .................................................................................................... 28
6.25 Personal Service Contract Policies .......................................................................... 28
6.26 Copyright Ownership and Title to Designs and Copy ............................................... 29
6.27 University Brand Standards ..................................................................................... 29
6.30 Payment Terms ....................................................................................................... 30
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PROPOSAL NO. UK-2616-27 5
7.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR UK WILLED BODY PROGRAM ..................................... 31
Detailed Services Defined ................................................................................................ 31
8.0 SCOPE OF SERVICE FOR UKHC HEALTHCARE MORTUARY & TRANSPORATION
SERVICES .......................................................................................................................... 36
9.0 FINANCIAL OFFER: WILLED BODY PROGRAM ........................................................ 37
9.1 FINANCIAL OFFER: MORTUARY & TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ........................ 38
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PROPOSAL NO. UK-2616-27 6
1.0 DEFINITIONS
The term "addenda" means written or graphic instructions issued by the University of
Kentucky prior to the receipt of proposals that modify or interpret the RFP
documents by additions, deletions, clarifications and/or corrections.
The term "competitive negotiations" means the method authorized in the Kentucky
Revised Statutes, Chapter 45A.085.
The terms "offer" or "proposal" mean the offeror's/offerors' response to this RFP.
The term "offeror" means the entity or contractor group submitting the proposal.
The term "contractor" means the entity receiving a contract award.
The term "purchasing agency" means the University of Kentucky, Procurement
Services, Room 322 Peterson Service Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0005.
The term "purchasing official" means the University of Kentucky's appointed
contracting representative.
The term "responsible offeror" means a person, company or corporation that has the
capability in all respects to perform fully the contract requirements and the integrity
and reliability that will assure good faith performance. In determining whether an
offeror is responsible, the University may evaluate various factors including (but not
limited to): financial resources; experience; organization; technical qualifications;
available resources; record of performance; integrity; judgment; ability to perform
successfully under the terms and conditions of the contract; adversarial relationship
between the offeror and the University that is so serious and compelling that it may
negatively impact the work performed under this RFP; or any other cause
determined to be so serious and compelling as to affect the responsibility of the
offeror.
The term "solicitation" means RFP.
The term "University" means University of Kentucky.
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PROPOSAL NO. UK-2616-27 7
2.0 GENERAL OVERVIEW
2.1 Intent and Scope
The University of Kentucky (UK) is committed to maintaining a standard of excellence
in managing and operating its Willed Body Program (WBP) under KRS 311
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=38785 at the UK medical
school campus and seeks a contractor to provide services and supplies used for
education and research.
UKHC Mortuary & Transportation Services includes services needed that assist
with the identification and movement of patients from or within UK Chandler, UK Good
Sam or any UK hospice situation in preparation for their final resting place.
Transportation services could also be requested from the UK Medical School on
NKU's (Northern Kentucky University) campus in Highland Heights, the UK Medical
school in Northern Kentucky will be re-located to Covington in late 2028. See section
7.0 for services defined.
2.3 University Information
Upon his arrival in 2011, President Eli Capilouto set an ambitious agenda to extend
and enhance our role as Kentucky's land-grant and flagship research university. By
focusing on infrastructure growth and improvement; creating opportunities for
innovative teaching, learning and academic excellence; fostering a robust research
enterprise; providing life-saving subspecialty care; empowering communities through
service and outreach; and encouraging a transparent and shared dialogue about
institutional priorities; the University of Kentucky will help ensure a Kentucky
tomorrow that is healthier, wealthier and wiser than it is today.
Our mission - 160 years strong - is to advance Kentucky in everything we do.
Founded in 1865 as a land-grant institution adjacent to downtown Lexington, UK is
nestled in the scenic heart of the beautiful Bluegrass region of Kentucky. From its
early beginnings, with only 190 students and 10 professors, UK's campus now
covers more than 900 acres. In Fall 2025, the university enrolled nearly 39,000 total
students, including another record-setting first-year class of more than 7,000
students - for the first time, more than 4,000 are Kentuckians and nearly 1,900 are
first generation. The institution now employs approximately 33,000 employees,
including nearly 3,300 full-time faculty.
UK is just one of eight universities in the United States that has programs in
agriculture, engineering, law, fine arts and a full complement of health colleges
including medicine and pharmacy, on a single campus alongside an academic
health system, leading to groundbreaking discoveries and unique interdisciplinary
collaboration.
The state's flagship university consists of 18 academic and professional colleges
where students can choose from more than 200 majors and degree programs at the
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PROPOSAL NO. UK-2616-27 8
undergraduate and graduate levels. The colleges are Agriculture, Food and
Environment; Arts and Sciences; Business and Economics; Communication and
Information; Dentistry; Design; Education; Engineering; Fine Arts; Graduate School;
Health Sciences; Honors; Law; Medicine; Nursing; Pharmacy; Public Health; and
Social Work. These colleges are supported by a modern research library system.
Research at the University of Kentucky is a dynamic enterprise encompassing both
traditional scholarship and emerging technologies. UK's research faculty, staff and
students are establishing UK as one of the nation's most prolific public research
universities. UK researchers were awarded $496.9 million in extramural grant and
contract funding in fiscal year 2025. Fifty-one percent of this funding comes from
agencies in the federal government ($255.3 million) such as the National Institutes of
Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Department of Defense
and numerous other federal sponsors. In fiscal year 2024, expenditures from
research and development (R&D) activities at the university generated $937 million
in economic activity across the Commonwealth of Kentucky and supported 4,712
jobs.
With more than 70 research centers and institutes, UK researchers are discovering
new knowledge, providing a rich training ground for current students and the next
generation of researchers and advancing the economic growth of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky. Several centers excel in the services offered to the
public. The Gluck Equine Research Center is one of only three facilities of its kind in
the world, conducting equine disease research.
The Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) is internationally recognized for
research in carbon fibers, rare earth metals, graphite, concrete and cement, energy
policy, fuels research, hydrogen and materials characterization.
Among the brightest examples of UK's investment in transformative research is the
Markey Cancer Center. As a center of excellence and distinction at UK, Markey's
robust research and clinical enterprise is the cornerstone of our commitment to
Kentucky - fundamental to our success in uplifting lives through our endeavors and
improving the general health and welfare of our state - burdened by the nation's
highest rate of cancer deaths per 100,000 people. In 2013, Markey earned the
prestigious National Cancer Institute-designation (NCI) - one of 68 nationally and
the only one in Kentucky. The designation was renewed in 2018 and 2023.
The University of Kentucky is the recipient of a Clinical and Translational Science
Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As one of only 60
institutions with this research distinction, UK was awarded the CTSA for its potential
in moving research and discovery in the lab into practical field and community
applications. The CTSA and NCI are part of a trifecta of federal research grants that
includes an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. UK is one of only 29 universities
in the country to hold all three premier grants from NIH.
Established in 1957, the medical center at UK is one of the nation's finest academic
medical centers and includes the university's clinical enterprise, UK HealthCare.
Licensed for 1,150 beds across UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital, Golisano Children's
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PROPOSAL NO. UK-2616-27 9
at UK and UK Good Samaritan Hospital, the system is supported by a growing
faculty and staff providing the most advanced subspecialty care for the most critically
injured and ill patients throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.
UK Chandler Hospital includes the only Level 1 Trauma Center for adult patients in
Central and Eastern Kentucky. In addition, UK HealthCare recently opened one of
the country's largest robotic hybrid operating rooms and the first of its kind in the
region. Our talented physicians consult with and travel to our network of affiliate
hospitals so Kentuckians can receive the best health care available close to their
homes and never need to leave the Bluegrass for complex subspecialty care.
As of December 1, 2022, King's Daughters Medical Center, based in Ashland,
Kentucky, officially became part of the University of Kentucky. UK King's Daughters
serves a 16-county region across Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Its health
system includes two hospitals totaling 455 licensed beds, more than 80 ambulatory
centers and practice locations, a long-term care facility, medical transport company
and eight urgent care centers.
The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees on Friday, April 26, 2024, approved
plans to proceed with the acquisition of St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead. The
move for St. Claire to become part of UK expanded clinical and academic programs
as well as resulted in greater access to high-quality patient care for more
Kentuckians. UK St. Claire is one of the largest employers in the region, with over
1,600 staff members, including a growing medical staff of more than 200 physicians
and more than 100 advanced practice professionals representing more than 35
medical specialties. It includes the largest rural hospital in Northeastern Kentucky,
seven primary care locations located within five counties, a multispecialty medical
pavilion, two urgent care centers, a pediatrics clinic, as well as a retail pharmacy,
counseling center, medical equipment and supply store and an outpatient center.
Additionally, UK St. Claire provides home health and hospice services in eight
counties within its 11-county service region. The acquisition was finalized on July 1,
2024.
In fiscal year 2024, UK HealthCare's six owned hospitals totaled more than 1,700
licensed beds, saw nearly three million ambulatory visits and discharged
approximately 71,000 patients.
Also in October 2024, UK's Board of Trustees issued a bold charge: to unite the
University of Kentucky's research, service and learning capabilities with partners to
co-create solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen communities and improve
well-being across Kentucky. That charge became the Advancing Kentucky Together
(AKT) Network - a statewide partnership connecting organizations that share one
vision: to ensure a Commonwealth where every Kentuckian has access to quality
care, strong education, meaningful work and a connected community.
Through the AKT Network, the university and its partners are aligning ideas,
resources and expertise to improve lives in every region of the state across four
main pillars: health care access and innovation, education and opportunity
pathways, workforce and economic development and land-grant and community
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PROPOSAL NO. UK-2616-27 10
engagement. So far, eight partners have formally joined the network, including two
existing internal strengths - UK HealthCare's Healthy Kentucky Initiative and UK's
Economic Development Collaborative's OneUK - as well as the first academic
partner and inaugural major corporate partner.
From its Nobel Laureates to cutting-edge work in addressing health disparities, and
from the artistic wonders that stir souls to our scientific creativity that inspires minds,
UK seeks a brighter future through the contributions of our faculty, staff, students
and alumni.
We are the University of Kentucky. We are committed to advancing Kentucky in
everything that we do.
More information about UK can be found at this this website.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is an institution-wide priority for the University of Kentucky. We strive
to ensure that all activities are ecologically sound, socially just, and economically
viable, and that they will continue to be so for future generations. This commitment
also prioritizes the integration of these principles in curricula, research, athletics,
health care, creative works, and outreach. This principled approach to operational
practices and intellectual pursuits is intended to prepare students and empower the
campus community to support sustainable development in the Commonwealth and
beyond. The UK Sustainability Strategic Plan guides these efforts
(https://www.uky.edu/sustainability/sustainability-strategic-plan).
2.4 Economic Engagement and Procurement
The University of Kentucky is committed to serving as an advocate for Kentucky
located businesses as part of its on-going workforce development and economic
development efforts.
The University desires to increase the amount of goods and services acquired from
Kentucky located businesses. The University encourages its suppliers to support
and assist in this effort.
The University's goals for increasing participation in procurement projects include
but are not limited to the following:
* To ensure the absence of barriers that reduce participation.
* Educate vendors on "how to do business" with the University.
* Support Kentucky located vendors seeking to do business with the University
in the areas of goods, services, construction, and other areas of procurement.
* Encourage participation of qualified Kentucky located vendors by directing
them to agencies that can benefit from their product or service.
Rev. 3-11-2026