The Procurement Division of Knox County, Tennessee will receive sealed proposals for the provision of Community
Health Assessment as specified herein. Proposals must be received by 2:00 p.m. on September 4, 2024. Late proposals
will neither be considered nor returned.
Deliver Proposals To:
Proposal Number 3591
Knox County Procurement Division
Suite 100
1000 North Central Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37917
The Proposal Envelope must show the Company Name, Proposal Number, Proposal Name & Proposal Closing Date.
SECTION I PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION
1.1 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Knox County wants requests for additional information routed to Susan Colella,
Buyer, at 865.215.5769. Questions may be emailed to susan.colella@knoxcounty.org. If you have not heard from
the Buyer in a reasonable amount of time, please call for further assistance. Information about the Knox County
Procurement Division and current solicitations may be obtained on the Internet at www.knoxcounty.org/procurement.
1.2 ACCEPTANCE: Vendors shall hold their price firm and subject to acceptance by Knox County for a period of
ninety (90) business days from the date of the proposal closing, unless otherwise indicated in their proposal.
1.3 AUDIT HOTLINE: Knox County has established an Audit Hotline to report potential fraud and waste. To report
potential fraud, waste, or abuse, please call 1.866.858.4443 (toll-free). You can also file a report online by accessing
http://www.knoxcounty.org/hotline/index.php.
Vendors are hereby cautioned that this Audit Hotline does not replace the Award Protest Procedures
found in Section VI, Item M of the Knox County Procurement Regulations.
1.4 AWARD: Award may be made to the most responsive, responsible proposer(s) meeting specifications and
presenting the product(s) and/or service(s) that is in the best interest of Knox County. Knox County reserves the
right to award this proposal on an all-or-none basis, schedule basis or by multiple awards. Knox County reserves
the right to not award this proposal. The award will be made in accordance with the evaluation criteria specified
herein.
1.5 BUSINESS OUTREACH PROGRAM: Knox County has established a Business Outreach Program which has the
responsibility of increasing opportunity for small, minority and women owned businesses. This is being accomplished
through community education programs, policy edification, active recruitment of interested businesses and process re-
engineering.
Knox County is committed to ensuring full and equitable participation for all disadvantaged businesses. Knox
County welcomes submittals from those disadvantaged businesses that have an interest in providing goods
and/or services listed herein. In addition, Knox County strongly encourages the inclusion of disadvantaged
businesses by non-disadvantaged Contractors who wish to partner or subcontract portions of this agreement in
order to accomplish the successful delivery of goods and/or services.
If you are a disadvantaged business and would like additional information about our Business Outreach Program,
please contact:
Diane Woods, Business Outreach Administrator
Knox County Procurement
Telephone: 865.215.5760
Fax: 865.215.5778
E-mail:diane.woods@knoxcounty.org
1.6 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Vendors must have read and comply with the “Non-Conflict of Interest" statement
provided in the vendor registration process prior to the closing of this solicitation. Knox County’s Non-Conflict of
Interest Policy is available for review at https://www.knoxcounty.org/purchasing/conflict_policy.php.
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1.7 COPIES: Knox County requires that proposals be submitted as one (1) marked as original and one (1) exact
copy. Proposers must submit with their written response an exact electronic version of their proposal in a single
file on a flash drive format.
1.8 DECLARATIVE STATEMENTS: Any statement or words (e.g.: must, shall, will) are declarative statements and
the vendor must comply with the condition. Failure to comply with any such condition may result in the proposal
being considered non-responsive and disqualified.
1.9 ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF PROPOSALS: Knox County's Procurement Division will not accept electronically
transmitted proposals. Email and Facsimile submissions are strictly prohibited. Due to the nature of the information
requested, all submissions shall be in written format.
1.10 HOW TO DO BUSINESS: Knox County utilizes a web-based Procurement software system, “KnoxBuys”. The
system provides our clients (vendors, county departments and the citizens of Knox County) with a more enhanced
and end-user friendly means of accessing our services. The system allows for on-line vendor registration and
maintenance, electronic receipt of purchase orders, on-line retrieval and submittal of quotes, bids and proposals
for our vendor-clients and on-line requisitioning and receiving for our county departments. In order for the County
to maximize its investment and minimize the cost associated with office operations we need your help. When
doing business with Knox County we are urging you to please go to our website at www.knoxcounty.org/procurement,
register as a vendor in our on-line Procurement system, “KnoxBuys”, if you have not done so and whenever
possible to conduct your business with the County through this site. If you have any questions, please contact the
Procurement Division Representative listed in subsection 1.1 of this document.
1.11 INCURRED COSTS: Knox County will not be responsible for any costs incurred by the proposer in the preparation of
their proposal.
1.12 MULTIPLE PROPOSALS: Knox County will consider multiple proposals that meet specifications.
1.13 NON-COLLUSION: Proposers, by submitting a signed proposal, certify that the accompanying proposal is not the
result of, or affected by, any unlawful act of collusion with any other person or company engaged in the same line
of business or commerce, or any other fraudulent act punishable under Tennessee or United States law.
(Attachment F)
1.14 PAYMENT METHOD: Knox County utilizes two (2) methods of placing orders for products. The first is the use of
Purchase Orders. These Purchase Orders will be issued from Knox County Procurement Division via email. The
Purchase Order will detail the quantity, specific item(s) and the contracted price for each item.
The second method is the use of the Knox County E-Commerce Card (VISA). Orders placed with the credit card
will list the same information as the Purchase Order. Vendors will be given the card information and approval to
process the transactions by the requesting department. Vendors must indicate in their bid response if the vendor
will accept the Knox County E-Commerce Card (VISA) as a form of payment. Bidders are prohibited to charge
Knox County any type of merchant fee from their financial institution to accept this type of payment.
1.15 POSSESSION OF WEAPONS: All vendors, their employees and their agents are prohibited from possessing any
weapons on Knox County property without prior written consent from the County. In the case of a vendor whose
Contract requires possession of firearms or other weapons to successfully complete their Contract, vendor must
provide personnel who are bonded to bear said weaponry.
1.16 PROOF OF FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CAPABILITY: Vendors must, upon request, furnish satisfactory
evidence of their ability to furnish products or services in accordance with the terms and conditions of these
specifications. Knox County will make the final determination as to the vendor’s ability.
1.17 PROPOSAL DELIVERY: Knox County requires proposers, when hand delivering proposals, to time and date
stamp the envelope before depositing it in the bid box. Knox County will not be responsible for any lost or
misdirected mail sent by common carrier, nor will Knox County be responsible for proposals delivered to
addresses or suites other than the delivery address and suite specified at the top of this solicitation. The time
clock in the Procurement Division shall serve as the official record of time. Knox County shall not be responsible
for technical difficulties experienced by vendors trying to register less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the
proposal closing time.
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Submittals must be in a sealed envelope/box prior to entering the Procurement Division office. Procurement
Division personnel are not allowed to see the submittal nor assist in placing documents in an
envelope/box. Additionally, the Procurement Division is not responsible for providing materials (e.g.
envelopes, boxes, tape) for submittals.
1.18 RECYCLING: Knox County, in its continuing efforts to lessen the amount of landfill waste and to further recycling
efforts, requests that proposals being submitted on paper shall:
- Be submitted on recycled paper.
- Not include pages of unnecessary advertising.
- Be made on both sides of each sheet of paper.
1.19 RESTRICTIVE OR AMBIGUOUS SPECIFICATIONS: It is the responsibility of the prospective proposer to review
the entire Request for Proposals (RFP) packet and to notify the Procurement Division if the specifications are
formulated in a manner that would unnecessarily restrict competition. Any such protest or question regarding the
specifications or proposing procedures must be received in the Procurement Division by 4:30 p.m. local time on
August 21, 2024. These requirements also apply to specifications that are ambiguous.
1.20 SIGNING OF PROPOSALS: In order to be considered, all proposals must be signed. Please sign the original
in blue ink. By signing the proposal document, the vendor acknowledges and accepts the terms and conditions
stated in the bid document.
1.21 TAXES: Knox County purchases are not subject to taxation. Tax exemption certificates will be provided upon request.
1.22 TITLE VI OF THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT AND TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATIONAL AMENDMENT OF 1972:
“Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs”—“No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race,
color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” 42 U.S.C. Section 2000. It is
the policy of Knox County Government that all its services and activities be administered in conformance with the
requirements of Title VI and Title IX.
1.23 UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES: During periods of closure due to unforeseen circumstances in Knox County
or closures at the direction of the Knox County Mayor, the Procurement Division will enact the following procedures in
regard to solicitations and closures:
• If the Mayor closes the administrative offices prior to the time set for solicitation opening of any business day,
all solicitations due that same day will be moved to the next operational business day.
• Other unforeseen circumstances shall be at the sole discretion of the Procurement Director.
• Knox County shall not be liable for any commercial carrier’s decision regarding deliveries during any unforeseen
circumstances.
1.24 USE OF PROPOSAL FORMS: Vendors must complete the proposal forms contained in the proposal package.
Failure to complete the proposal forms may result in proposal rejection.
1.25 VENDOR DEFAULT: Knox County reserves the right, in case of vendor default, to procure the articles or services
from other sources and hold the defaulting vendor responsible for any excess costs occasioned thereby. Should
vendor default be due to a failure to perform or because of a request for a price increase, Knox County reserves
the right to remove the vendor from the County's bidder’s list for twenty-four (24) months.
1.26 VENDOR REGISTRATION: Prior to the closing of this proposal, ALL PROPOSERS must be registered with the
Procurement Division. Please register on-line at our website at www.knoxcounty.org/procurement and click on
“Online Vendor Registration.” Vendors must be registered with the Procurement Division prior to submitting their
proposal. Knox County shall not be responsible for technical difficulties experienced by vendors trying to register
electronically less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the proposal closing time.
1.27 WAIVING OF INFORMALITIES: Knox County reserves the right to waive minor informalities or technicalities
when it is in the best interest of Knox County.
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SECTION II OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
These terms and conditions shall be part of the Contract. Knox County reserves the right to negotiate other
terms and conditions it deems appropriate and necessary under the circumstances to protect the public’s trust.
2.1 ALTERATIONS OR AMENDMENTS: No alterations, amendments, changes, modifications, or additions to this
Contract shall be binding on Knox County without the prior written approval of the County.
2.2 APPROPRIATION: In the event no funds are appropriated by Knox County for the goods or services in any fiscal
year, or insufficient funds exist to purchase the goods or services, then the Contract shall expire upon the
expenditure of previously appropriated funds or the end of the current fiscal year, whichever occurs first, with no
further obligations owed to or by either party.
2.3 ASSIGNMENT: Contractor shall not assign or sub-contract this agreement, its obligations, or rights hereunder to
any party, company, partnership, incorporation, or person without the prior written specific consent of Knox County.
2.4 BOOKS AND RECORDS: Vendor shall maintain all books, documents, accounting records and other evidence
pertaining to the goods and services provided under this Contract and make such materials available at its offices
at all reasonable times during the Contract period and for three (3) years from the date of the final payment under
this agreement for inspection by County or by any other governmental entity or agency participating in the funding
of this agreement or any authorized agents thereof; copies of said records to be furnished if requested. Such
records shall not include those books, documents and accounting records that represent the Vendor's costs of
manufacturing, acquiring, or delivering the products and services governed by this agreement. Vendor shall
comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
2.5 CHILD LABOR: Contractor agrees that no products or services will be provided or performed under this Contract
that have been manufactured or assembled by child labor.
2.6 COMPLIANCE WITH ALL LAWS: Contractor is assumed to be familiar with and agrees to observe and comply
with all Federal, State, and Local laws, statutes, ordinances, and regulations in any manner affecting the provision
of goods and/or services, and all instructions and prohibitive orders issued regarding this work and shall obtain all
necessary permits.
2.7 CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECK: Any and all successful bidders, Contractor’s employees, Contractor’s
sub-contractors and the employees of any sub-contractors must submit to a criminal history records check at the
Contractor’s expense, conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of
Investigation prior to permitting the employee to have contact with students or enter school grounds when
students are present. Reference Tennessee Code Annotated Section 49-5-413. Bidders must submit with their
bids the Criminal History Affidavit of Compliance.
2.8 DEFAULT: If Contractor fails to perform or comply with any provision of this Contract or the terms or conditions of
any documents referenced and made a part hereof, Knox County may terminate this Contract, in whole or in part,
and may consider such failure or noncompliance a breach of Contract. Knox County expressly retains all its rights
and remedies provided by law in case of such breach, and no action by Knox County shall constitute a waiver of
any such rights or remedies. In the event of termination for default, Knox County reserves the right to purchase
its requirements elsewhere, with or without competitive solicitation.
2.9 GOVERNING LAW: This agreement shall be exclusively construed, governed, and controlled by the Laws of the
State of Tennessee without regard to principles of law, including conflicts of law, of any other jurisdiction, territory,
country, and/or province. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this agreement shall exclusively be brought in
the Chancery Court or the Circuit Court of Knox County, Tennessee. Each party consents to personal jurisdiction
thereto and waives any defenses based on personal jurisdiction, venue, and inconvenient forum.
2.10 INCORPORATION: All specifications, drawings, technical information, Request for Proposal, Proposal, Award,
and similar items referred to or attached or which are the basis for this Contract are deemed incorporated by
reference as if set out fully herein.
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2.11 INDEMNIFICATION—HOLD HARMLESS: Contractor shall indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless Knox
County, its officers, agents and employees from all suits, claims, actions or damages of any nature brought
because of, arising out of, or due to breach of the agreement by Contractor, its subcontractors, suppliers, agents,
or employees or due to any negligent act or occurrence or any omission or commission of Contractor, its
subcontractors, suppliers, agents or employees.
2.12 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR: Contractor shall acknowledge that it and its employees serve as independent
contractors and that Knox County shall not be responsible for any payment, insurance, or incurred liability.
2.13 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE: Warranty periods shall not commence until Knox County inspects and
formally accepts the goods and/or services. The terms, conditions and timing of acceptance shall be determined
by Knox County. Knox County reserves the right to reject any or all items or services not in conformance with
applicable specifications, and Contractor assumes the costs associated with such nonconformance. Acceptance
of goods or services does not constitute a waiver of latent or hidden defects or defects not readily detectable by a
reasonable person under the circumstances.
2.14 IRAN DIVESTMENT ACT: By submission of this RFP response, each proposer and each person signing on
behalf of any proposer certifies, and in the case of a joint response, each party thereto certifies as to its own
organization, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief that each proposer is not on the
list created pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 12-12-106.
2.15 LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: In no event shall Knox County be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential,
special, or exemplary damages or lost profits, even if Knox County has been advised of the possibility of such
damages.
2.16 NO BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL: Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 12, Chapter 4, Part 1, by submission
of a response to this solicitation, each proposer and each person signing on behalf of any proposer certifies, and
in the case of a joint response each party thereto certifies as to its own organization, under penalty of perjury, that
to the best of its knowledge and belief that each proposer is not currently engaged in, and will not for the duration
of the Contract engage in, a boycott of Israel. (Attachment E)
2.17 NON-DISCRIMINATION AND NON-CONFLICT STATEMENT: Contractor agrees that no person on the grounds
of handicap, age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied
benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in the performance of this agreement or in the employment
practices of vendor. The Contractor shall upon request show proof of such non-discrimination and shall post in
conspicuous places available to all employees and applicants notices of non-discrimination. Contractor covenants
that it complies with the Fair Wage and Hour Laws, the National Labor Relations Act, and other Federal and State
employment laws as applicable. Contractor covenants that it does not engage in any illegal employment practices.
Contractor covenants that it has no public or private interest and shall not acquire directly or indirectly any interest
that would conflict in any manner with the provision of its goods or performance of its services. Contractor
warrants that no part of the total Contract amount provided herein shall be paid directly or indirectly to any officer
or employee of Knox County as wages, compensation, or gifts in exchange for acting as officer, agent, employee,
subcontractor, or consultant to Contractor in connection with any goods provided or work contemplated or
performed relative to the agreement.
2.18 ORDER OF PRECEDENCE: In the event of inconsistent or conflicting provision of this Contract and referenced
documents, the following descending order of precedence shall prevail: (1) Contract, (2) Request for Proposal, (3)
Contractor’s Response, (4) Award, (5) Special Terms and Conditions, (6) General Terms and Conditions, (7)
Specifications, (8) Drawings.
2.19 REMEDIES: Knox County shall have all rights and remedies afforded under the U.C.C. and Tennessee law in
Contract and in tort, including but not limited to, rejection of goods, rescission, and right of set-off, refund,
incidental, consequential, and compensatory damages and reasonable attorney’s fees.
2.20 RIGHT TO INSPECT: Knox County reserves the right to make periodic inspections of the manner and means the
service is performed or the goods are supplied and warehoused.
2.21 SEVERABILITY: If any provision of this Contract is declared illegal, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions
shall not be affected but shall remain in force and in effect.
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.