Marketing, Advertising & Communication Services

Advertising, Marketing, and Communication Services

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The Tennessee Board of Regents (hereinafter the "System" or "TBR") established by T. C. A. 49-8-101 consists of 36 institutions with a combined annual enrollment of over 128,000 students and approximately 6,000 regular employees. TBR's 13 community colleges, and 23 colleges of applied technology offer classes in 90 of Tennessee's 95 counties. Six public universities, formerly within the TBR system may also opt to participate in contracted services resulting from this RFP.

The System seeks to promote and ensure equal opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability status, age or status as a protected veteran and shall fully comply with Executive Order 11246, as amended, and all other applicable federal and state equal opportunity laws.

1.2 Statement of Procurement Purpose

The Tennessee Board of Regents System Office has issued this Request for Proposal (RFP) to define the Institution's minimum service requirements; solicit proposals; detail proposal requirements; and, outline the Institution's process for evaluating proposals and selecting a contractor to provide the requested goods and/or goods and/or services.

Through this RFP, Institution seeks to procure necessary goods and/or services at the most favorable, competitive prices and to give ALL qualified businesses, including those that are small, minority, women, and service-disabled veteran owned, the opportunity to do business with the Institution. Vendors must complete the Ownership Ethnicity Form (See Attachment 6.1 for form and classification definitions). In addition, all small, minority, women, service-disabled veteran, and persons with disabilities owned businesses are strongly encouraged to register with the State of TN, GO-BID Certification Program to attain official certification. The Institution shall work with the successful Proposer and the GO-BID Office regarding registration/certification.

The Institution intends to secure a contract for Marketing, Advertising & Communication Services as further defined in Attachment 6.4, RFP Requirements.

1.3 Scope of Service, Contract Period, and Required Terms and Conditions

The RFP Attachment 6.2, the Pro Forma Contract substantially represents the contract document that the successful Proposer selected by the Institution MUST agree to and sign. A Proposal that limits or changes any of the terms or conditions contained in the Pro Forma Contract may be considered non-responsive.

1.4 Coverage and Participation

It is acknowledged that TBR System Office is issuing this proposal, with the option for other institutions within the System, the University of Tennessee System of Higher Education and the State of Tennessee Departments to utilize the resulting Contract. A listing of these institutions is provided in Attachment 6.8. After the initial term of the resulting Contract, and each year of the Contract thereafter, the Institution reserves the right to re-negotiate more favorable terms/pricing if more institutions provided in Attachment 6.8 choose to join the resulting Contract.

1.5 Nondiscrimination

The Contractor shall abide by all applicable federal and state laws pertaining to discrimination and hereby agrees, warrants, and assures that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in the performance of this Contract or in the employment practices of the Contractor on the grounds of classifications protected by Federal or State law. Accordingly, the Contractor shall, upon request, be required to show proof of such nondiscrimination and to post in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.

The Institution has designated the following to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of the State of Tennessee, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and applicable federal regulations.

Office of Student Success

TBR System Office

1 Bridgestone Park, Third Floor

Nashville, TN 37214-2428

Jeanna.scholz@tbr.edu

1.6 Assistance to Proposers with a Disability

A Proposer with a handicap or disability may receive accommodation relating to the communication of this RFP and participation in this RFP process. A Proposer may contact the Solicitation Coordinator to request reasonable accommodation no later than the Disability Accommodation Request Deadline in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

1.7 RFP Communications

1.7.1 Unauthorized contact regarding this RFP with employees or officials of the Institution other than the Solicitation Coordinator named below may result in disqualification from this procurement process.

1.7.1.1 Interested Parties must direct all communications regarding this RFP to the following Solicitation Coordinator, who is the Institution's only official point of contact for this RFP.

Brian York

Director of Procurement

1 Bridgestone Park, Third Floor

Nashville, TN 37214-2428

Phone: 615-366-3998

brian.york@tbr.edu

1.7.2 The Institution has assigned the following RFP identification number that must be referenced in all communications regarding the RFP:

RFP 26-0024

1.7.3 Any oral communication shall be considered unofficial and non-binding with regard to this RFP. Only the Institution's official, responses and communications, as defined in Section 1.7.7 below, shall be considered binding with regard to this RFP. The Institution's official responses and other official communications pursuant to this RFP shall constitute an amendment of this RFP.

1.7.4 The Solicitation Coordinator must receive all written comments, including questions and requests for clarification, no later than the Written Comments Deadline in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

1.7.5 Each Proposer shall assume the risk of the method of dispatching any communication or proposal to the Institution. The Institution assumes no responsibility for delays or delivery failures resulting from the method of dispatch. Actual or digital "postmarking" of a communication or proposal to the Institution by the specified deadline date shall not substitute for actual receipt of a communication or proposal by the Institution.

1.7.6 The Institution reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the appropriate and adequate responses to written comments, questions, and requests for clarification.

1.7.7 The Institution will convey all official responses and communications and reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the method of conveying official responses and communications pursuant to this RFP. Such communication may be transmitted by mail, hand-delivery, facsimile, electronic mail, Internet posting, or any other means deemed reasonable by the Institution. For Internet posting, please refer to the following website:

1.7.8 The Institution will make reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy any data or factual information provided by the Institution (in this RFP, an RFP Amendment or any other communication relating to this RFP) However, the Institution makes no warranties as to the data or information provided.

1.8 Notice of Intent to Propose

Each potential Proposer should submit a Notice of Intent to Propose to the RFP Coordinator by the deadline in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. The notice should include:

Proposer's name

name and title of a contact person

address, telephone number, facsimile number, and email address of the contact person

NOTICE: A Notice of Intent to Propose creates no obligation and is not a prerequisite for making a proposal, however, it is necessary to ensure receipt of RFP amendments and other communications regarding the RFP (refer to RFP Sections 1.7, et seq., above).

1.9 Proposal Deadline

Proposals must be submitted no later than the Proposal Deadline time and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. A proposal must respond to the written RFP and any RFP exhibits, attachments, or amendments. A late proposal shall not be accepted, and a Proposer's failure to submit a proposal before the deadline shall cause the proposal to be disqualified. It is the responsibility of the Proposer to ascertain any additional requirements with respect to packaging and delivery to the Institution. Proposers should be mindful of any potential delays whether foreseeable or unforeseeable.

1.10 Pre-Proposal Conference and Written Questions A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at the time and date listed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. The purpose of the conference is to discuss the RFP scope of goods and/or services. No oral questions will be entertained prior to the pre-proposal conference. Questions may be submitted to the RFP Coordinator in writing prior to the Conference. Oral responses to any question(s) at the Pre-Proposal Conference shall be considered tentative and non-binding with regard to this RFP. Additional Questions, as well as any questions asked at the Pre-Proposal Conference, concerning the RFP must be submitted in writing prior to the Written Comments Deadline date in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. To ensure accurate, consistent responses to all known potential Proposers, the official response to all questions will be issued by the Institution as described in RFP Section 1.7 above and on the date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. Pre-Proposal Conference attendance is not mandatory.

The conference will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Proposers are responsible for ensuring capability to participate remotely. Proposers may request a meeting invite via email to .

2 RFP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The following Schedule of Events represents the Institution's best estimate of the schedule that will be followed. Unless otherwise specified, the time of day for the following events will be between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., CT.

3 PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Each Proposer must submit a proposal in response to this RFP with the most favorable terms that the Proposer can offer. The Institution reserves the right to further clarify and request amended proposals and/or to negotiate with the best evaluated Proposer subsequent to award recommendation but prior to contract execution if deemed necessary by Institution. Any amendment or negotiation shall be within the scope of the original procurement. Institution may initiate negotiations which serve to alter the bid/proposal in a way favorable to the Institution. For example, prices may be reduced, time requirements may be revised, etc. In no event shall negotiations increase the cost or amend the proposal such that the apparent successful Proposer no longer offers the best proposal.

3.1 Proposal Form and Delivery

3.1.1 Each response to this RFP must consist of a Technical Proposal and a Cost Proposal (as described below).

3.1.2 Proposers may submit either electronically or hard copy.

3.1.3 Electronic submission of Proposals and Client References (B.12) will be accepted via email to . TBR is not responsible for the timely receipt of submission electronically (e.g., email attachment size limits, file share application compatibility, etc.). It is the responsibility of the Proposer to ensure documents are delivered and accessible per deadline.

3.1.3.1 When submitting electronically, email subject line should be:

"Proposal for RFP 26-0024"

3.1.3.2 Electronic files must be organized as follows:

Each Proposer must submit two (2) separate attachments; one (1) Technical Proposal document (i.e., Attachment 6.5, Qualifications & Experience, Technical, exhibits, appendices, attachments, etc.), and one (1) Cost Proposal file.

3.1.3.3 See Section B.12. for submission of Client References. Client References may be submitted via email to directly from the client submitting the reference.

3.1.4 When submitting a hard copy Proposal:

3.1.4.1 Each Proposer must submit one (1) print version, and one (1) *electronic, version of the Technical Proposal to the Institution in a sealed package that is clearly marked:

"Technical Proposal for RFP 26-0024 - DO NOT OPEN"

*Electronic copy must be submitted on a flash drive with the Technical Proposal submission in the file format that the original RFP documents were advertised (i.e., Word, Excel, etc.) and in the order defined in Section 3.1.3.2 above).

3.1.4.2 The Proposer must sign and date the Technical Proposal. Failure to submit one technical proposal with a signature may be cause for rejection of the proposal. The signature should be on Attachment 6.5, Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide, and must be an individual who has the authority to legally bind the Proposer.

3.1.4.3 Each Proposer must submit one (1) print version, one (1) *electronic version of the Cost Proposal to the Institution in a separate, sealed package that is clearly marked:

"Cost Proposal for RFP 26-0024 - DO NOT OPEN"

*Electronic copy must be submitted on a flash drive with the Cost Proposal submission in the format that the original RFP documents were advertised (i.e., Word, Excel, etc. and in the order defined in Section 3.1.3.2 above).

3.1.4.4 The Proposer must sign and date the Cost Proposal. Failure to submit one cost proposal with a signature may be cause for rejection of the proposal. The signature should be on Attachment 6.6, Cost Proposal and Scoring Guide, and must be an individual who has the authority to legally bind the Proposer.

3.1.4.5 The Cost Proposal must be submitted to the Institution in a sealed package separate from the Technical proposal.

3.1.4.6 If a Proposer encloses the separately sealed proposals (as detailed above) in a larger package for mailing, the Proposer must clearly mark the outermost package:

"Contains Separately Sealed Technical and Cost Proposals for RFP 26-0024"

3.1.4.7 Email shall be sent to with tracking number to notify TBR that a hard copy has been sent.

3.1.5 The Institution must receive all proposals in response to this RFP, at the following address, no later than the Proposal Deadline time and date in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. Late proposals will not be considered and will remain unopened and filed in the RFP file.

Electronic Submissions: Physical Submissions:

Brian York

Procurement and Travel

Tennessee Board of Regents

1 Bridgestone Park, Third Floor

Nashville, TN 37214-2428

Phone: 615-366-3998

3.1.6 Proposals must be typewritten or hand-written in ink.

3.2 Technical Proposal

3.2.1 The RFP Attachment 6.5, Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide details specific requirements for making a Technical Proposal in response to this RFP. This guide includes mandatory and general requirements as well as technical queries requiring a written response.

NOTICE: A Technical Proposal must not include any pricing or cost information. This includes references to items that are included "free" or "at no additional cost", etc. If any pricing or cost information amounts of any type (even pricing relating to other projects) is included in any part of the Technical Proposal, the Institution may deem the Response to be non-responsive and reject it.

3.2.2 Each Proposer should use the Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide to organize, reference, and draft the Technical Proposal. Each Proposer must duplicate the Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide and use it as a table of contents covering the Technical Proposal (adding proposal page numbers as appropriate). The order of the response to the Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide must be preserved.

3.2.3 Each proposal should be concisely prepared, with emphasis on completeness and clarity of content. A proposal, as well as any reference material presented, must be written in English and must be written on standard 8 1/2" x 11" paper (although foldouts containing charts, spreadsheets, and oversize exhibits are permissible). All proposal pages must be numbered.

3.2.4 All information included in a Technical Proposal should be relevant to a specific requirement detailed in the Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide. All information must be incorporated into a response to a specific requirement and clearly referenced. Any information not meeting these criteria will be deemed extraneous and will in no way contribute to the evaluation process.

3.2.5 The Institution may, at its sole discretion, determine a proposal to be non-responsive and reject it if the Proposer fails to organize and properly reference sections of the Technical Proposal as required by this RFP and the Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide (including using Attachment 6.5 as a table of contents as specified in 3.2.2 hereof);

3.2.6 The Proposer must sign and date the Technical Proposal. Digital, electronic, or facsimile signatures will be acceptable as the signature. Failure to submit a signature will be cause for rejection of the proposal.

3.2.7 The Institution may at its sole discretion, determine a proposal to be non-responsive and reject it if the Technical Proposal document fails to appropriately address/meet all of the requirements detailed in the Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide.

3.2.8 In the event of a discrepancy between the original Technical Proposal and the digital copy, the original, signed document will take precedence.

3.3 Cost Proposal

3.3.1 The Cost Proposal must be submitted to the Institution in a sealed package separate from the Technical proposal.

3.3.2 The Cost Proposal must be recorded on an exact duplicate of the RFP Attachment 6.6, Cost Proposal and Scoring Guide.

3.3.3 Each Proposer shall ONLY record the proposed cost exactly as required by the Cost Proposal and Evaluation Guide and shall NOT record any other rates, amounts, or information. See Section C.4 of Attachment 6.4 for instruction on providing additional/optional cost rates.

3.3.4 The proposed cost shall incorporate all costs for goods and/or goods and/or services under the Contract for the total contract period.

3.3.5 The Proposer must sign and date the Cost Proposal. Digital, electronic, or facsimile signatures will be acceptable as the signature. Failure to submit a signature will be cause for rejection of the proposal.

3.3.6 In the event of a discrepancy between the original Cost Proposal and the digital copy, the original, signed document will take precedence.

NOTICE: If a Proposer fails to submit a Cost Proposal exactly as required, the State may deem the response to be non-responsive and reject it.

4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS & CONTRACTING INFORMATION

4.1 Proposer Required Review and Waiver of Objections

Each Proposer must carefully review this RFP and all attachments, including but not limited to defects, objections, or any other matter requiring clarification or correction (collectively called "comments"). All such Comments must be made in writing and received by the Institution no later than the Written Comments Deadline in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. This will allow issuance of any necessary amendments and help prevent the necessity of cancelling the RFP.

Any proposed alternatives, revisions or additions to the Pro Forma Contract (Attachment 6.2) must be made in writing. Should the Proposer fail to include proposed alternatives, revisions or additions to the Pro Forma by the Written Comments deadline and/or in its Technical Proposal Response, such alternatives, revisions or additions may not be considered. A proposal that limits or changes any of the terms or conditions contained in the Pro Forma Contract may be considered non-responsive.

4.2 RFP Amendment and Cancellation

The Institution reserves the unilateral right to amend this RFP at any time. If an RFP amendment is issued, the Institution will communicate such amendment to the potential Proposers. Each proposal submitted must be in response to the final written RFP and any exhibits, attachments, and amendments.

The Institution reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel and reissue this RFP or to cancel this RFP in its entirety in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

4.3 Proposal Prohibitions and Right of Rejection

4.3.1 The Institution reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any and all proposals in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

4.3.2 Each proposal must comply with all of the terms of this RFP and all applicable state laws and regulations. The Institution may consider any proposal that does not comply with all of the terms, conditions, and requirements of this RFP to be non-responsive and reject it.

4.3.3 A Proposer may submit an alternate proposal; however, Proposer must submit a proposal that offers the goods and/or services requested by this RFP.

4.3.4 A Proposer may not restrict the rights of the Institution or otherwise qualify a proposal. The Institution may determine such a proposal to be a non-responsive counteroffer, and the proposal may be rejected.

4.3.5 A Proposer shall not submit more than one proposal that offers the goods and/or services requested by this RFP. Submitting more than one proposal shall result in the disqualification of the Proposer unless specifically provided for in this RFP.

4.3.6 A Proposer shall not submit multiple proposals in different capacities. This prohibited action shall be defined as a Proposer submitting one proposal as a prime contractor and a second Proposer submitting a proposal with the first Proposer offered as a subcontractor. This restriction does not prohibit different Proposers from offering the same subcontractor as a part of their proposals, provided that the subcontractor does not also submit a proposal as a prime contractor. Submitting multiple proposals in different capacities may result in the disqualification of all Proposers knowingly involved.

4.3.7 The Institution shall reject a proposal if the Cost Proposal was not arrived at independently without collusion, consultation, communication, or agreement as to any matter relating to such prices with any other Proposer. Regardless of the time of detection, the Institution shall consider any of the foregoing prohibited actions to be grounds for proposal rejection or contract termination.

4.3.8 The Institution shall not consider a response from an individual who is, or within the past six (6) months has been, a State employee. For purposes of this RFP:

An individual shall be deemed a State employee until such time as all compensation for salary, termination pay, and annual leave has been paid;

A contract with or a response from a company, corporation, or any other contracting entity in which a controlling interest is held by any State employee shall be considered to be a contract with or proposal from the employee; and

A contract with or a response from a company, corporation, or any other contracting entity that employs an individual who is, or within the past six (6) months has been, a State employee shall not be considered a contract with or a proposal from the employee and shall not constitute a prohibited conflict of interest.

4.3.9 The Institution reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to waive a proposal's variances from full compliance with this RFP. If the Institution waives minor variances in a proposal, such waiver shall not modify the RFP requirements or excuse the Proposer from full compliance with the RFP.

4.4 Incorrect Proposal Information

If the Institution determines that a Proposer has provided, for consideration in this RFP process or subsequent contract negotiations, incorrect information that the Proposer knew or should have known was materially incorrect, that proposal shall be determined non-responsive and shall be rejected.

4.5 Proposal of Additional Goods and/or services

If a proposer offers related goods and/or services in addition to those required by and described in this RFP, the additional goods and/or services may be added to the Contract before contract signing at the sole discretion of the Institution. Proposers must provide a detailed description of each related product and/or service offered in addition to those specified in this RFP to be considered for inclusion in the contract as a separate attachment. Costs associated with additional related goods and/or services must be provided on a separate attachment in the Cost Proposal. Please note that proposed additional goods and/or services will not be used in evaluating the proposal.

4.6 Assignment & Subcontracting

4.6.1. The Contractor may not subcontract, transfer, or assign any portion of the Contract awarded as a result of this RFP without prior approval of the Institution. The Institution reserves the right to refuse approval, at its sole discretion, of any subcontract, transfer, or assignment.

4.6.2. If a Proposer intends to use subcontractors, the response to this RFP must specifically identify the scope and portions of the work each subcontractor will perform (refer to RFP Attachment 6.4., Section B, Qualifications & Experience Requirements, Item B.11.).

4.6.3. Subcontractors identified within a response to this RFP will be deemed as approved by the Institution unless the Institution expressly disapproves one or more of the proposed subcontractors prior to signing the Contract.

4.6.4. After contract award, a Contractor may only substitute an approved subcontractor at the discretion of the Institution and with the Institution's prior, written approval.

4.6.5. Notwithstanding any Institution approval relating to subcontracts, the Proposer who is awarded a contract pursuant to this RFP will be the prime contractor and will be responsible for all work under the Contract.

4.7 Right to Refuse Personnel

The Institution reserves the right to refuse, at its sole discretion and notwithstanding any prior approval, any personnel, of the prime contractor or a subcontractor providing goods and/or services. The Institution will document in writing the reason(s) for any rejection of personnel.

4.8 Insurance

Successful Proposer must provide and maintain a commercial general liability policy. The policy shall provide coverage which includes, but is not limited to, bodily injury, personal injury, death, property damage and medical claims, with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, $3,000,000 in the aggregate. The Proposer shall maintain workers' compensation coverage or a self-insured program as required under Tennessee law. The Proposer shall deliver to the Institution a certificate of insurance no later than the effective date of the contract, with the policy listing the Institution as additional insured. If any policy providing insurance required by the contract is cancelled prior to the policy expiration date, the Proposer, upon receiving a notice of cancellation, shall give immediate notice to the Institution.

The enumeration in the contract or in this document of the kinds and amounts of liability insurance shall not abridge, diminish or affect the contractor's legal responsibilities for the consequences of accidents arising out of or resulting from the goods and/or goods and/or services of the successful bidder under this contract.

Failure to provide evidence of such insurance coverage is a material breach and grounds for termination of the contract negotiations. Any insurance required by the Institution shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Institution.

4.9 Professional Licensure and Department of Revenue Registration

4.9.1 All persons, agencies, firms, or other entities that provide legal or financial opinions, which a Proposer provides for consideration and evaluation by the Institution as a part of a response to this RFP, shall be properly licensed to render such opinions.

4.9.2 Before the Contract resulting from this RFP is signed, the apparent Successful Proposer (and Proposer's employees and subcontractors, as applicable) must hold all necessary or appropriate business or professional licenses to provide the goods and/or goods and/or services as required by the contract. The Institution may require any Proposer to submit evidence of proper licensure.

4.9.3 Before the Contract is signed, the apparent successful Proposer must be registered with or exempted by the Tennessee Department of Revenue for the collection of Tennessee sales and use tax. The Institution shall not award a contract unless the Proposer provides proof of such registration or documentation from the Department of Revenue that the Contractor is exempt from this registration requirement. The foregoing is a mandatory requirement of an award of a contract pursuant to this solicitation. For purposes of this registration requirements, Proposer should visit .

4.10 Financial Stability

The successful Proposer will be required to provide information to TBR to demonstrate financial stability and capability prior to award of contract. These requirements are located in Attachment 6.4 of this RFP.

4.11 Proposal Withdrawal

A Proposer may withdraw a submitted proposal at any time up to the Proposal Deadline time and date in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. To do so, a Proposer must submit a written request, signed by a Proposer's authorized representative to withdraw a proposal. After withdrawing a previously submitted proposal, a Proposer may submit another proposal at any time up to the Proposal Deadline.

4.12 Proposal Errors and Amendments

At the option of the Institution, a Proposer may be bound by all proposal errors or omissions. A Proposer will not be allowed to alter or amend proposal documents after the Proposal Deadline time and date in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events unless formally requested, in writing, by the Institution.

4.13 Proposal Preparation Costs

The Proposer is responsible for all costs associated with the preparation, submittal, or presentation of any proposal.

4.14 Continued Validity of Proposals

Proposals shall state that the offer contained therein is valid for a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of opening. This assures that Proposers' offers are valid for a period of time sufficient for thorough consideration. Proposals which do not so state will be presumed valid for one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of the Cost Proposal opening.

4.15 Disclosure of Proposal Contents

4.15.1 Each proposal and all materials submitted to the Institution in response to this RFP shall become the property of the Institution. Selection or rejection of a proposal does not affect this right. All proposal information, including detailed price and cost information, shall be held in confidence during the evaluation process.

4.15.2 Upon the completion of the evaluation of proposals, indicated by public release of a Letter of Intent to Award, the proposals and associated materials shall be open for review by the public in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 10-7-504. By submitting a proposal, the Proposer acknowledges and accepts that the proposal contents and associated documents shall become open to public inspection in accordance with said statute.

4.15.3 If an RFP is re-advertised, all prior offers and/or proposals shall remain closed to inspection by the Proposers and/or public until evaluation of the responses to the re-advertisement is complete.

4.16 Contract Approval

The RFP and the successful proposer selection processes do not obligate the Institution and do not create rights, interests, or claims of entitlement by either the Proposer with the apparent best-evaluated proposal or any other Proposer. Contract award and Institution obligations pursuant thereto shall commence only after the contract is signed by the Contractor and all other Institution/State officials as required by state laws and regulations.

4.17 Contractor Performance The Contractor will be responsible for the delivery of all acceptable goods or the satisfactory completion of all goods and/or services set out in this RFP (including attachments) as may be amended. All goods and/or services are subject to inspection and evaluation by the Institution. The Institution will employ all reasonable means to ensure that goods delivered and/or services rendered are in compliance with the Contract, and the Contractor must cooperate with such efforts.

4.18 Contract Amendment After contract award, the Institution may request the Contractor to deliver additional goods and/or perform additional services within the general scope of the contract and this RFP, but beyond the specified scope of service, and for which the Contractor may be compensated. In such instances, the Institution will provide the Contractor a written description of the additional goods and/or services. The Contractor must respond to the Institution with a time schedule for delivering the additional goods or accomplishing the additional services based on the compensable units included in the Contractor's response to this RFP. If the Institution and the Contractor reach an agreement regarding the goods and/or services and associated compensation, such agreement must be effectuated by means of a contract amendment. Further, any such amendment requiring additional goods and/or services must be signed by both the Institution and the Contractor and must be approved by other state officials as required by applicable statutes, rules, policies and procedures of the State of Tennessee. The Contractor must not provide additional goods or render services until the Institution has issued a written contract amendment with all required approvals.

4.19 Severability If any provision of this RFP is declared by a court to be illegal or in conflict with any law, said decision will not affect the validity of the remaining RFP terms and provisions, and the rights and obligations of the Institution and Proposers will be construed and enforced as if the RFP did not contain the particular provision held to be invalid.

4.20 Next Ranked Proposer

The Institution reserves the right to initiate negotiations with the next ranked Proposer should the Institution cease doing business with any Proposer selected via this RFP process.

Contractor Registration

Proposers should complete the Institution's vendor registration process. Although registration with the Institution is not required to make a proposal, a resulting contract from this RFP process cannot be finalized without the successful proposer being a registered vendor.

Refer to the following Internet URL to begin the registration process:

In addition to above, the Institution shall work with Proposers and the State of Tennessee, GO-DBE Certification Program for Proposers to obtain official state certification. Staff of the GoDBE are available for assistance to minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and small businesses as well as general, public information relating to this RFP (visit for contact information). For assistance with this process, Proposers can contact Danyelle Johnson at

4.22 Policy and Guideline Compliance

This proposal request and any award made hereunder are subject to the policies and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents ().

4.23 Protest Procedures

Refer to the following Internet URL to obtain the Institution's bid protest procedures:

A sample protest bond format is provided as Attachment 6.9. A protest shall be considered waived if the subject matter of the protest was known or should have been known to the protester before the Pre-Proposal Written Questions/Comments Deadline and the Protester did not raise the issue in writing.

5 PROPOSAL EVALUATION & CONTRACT AWARD

5.1 Evaluation Categories and Maximum Points

The Institution will consider qualifications and experience, technical approach, and cost in the evaluation of proposals and award points in each of the categories detailed below (up to the maximum evaluation points indicated) to each Proposal deemed by the Institution to be responsive.

*Including finalist presentations

5.2 Evaluation Process

The evaluation process is designed to award the contract resulting from this RFP not necessarily to the Proposer offering the lowest cost, but rather to the responsive and responsible Proposer deemed by the Institution to offer the best combination of attributes based upon the evaluation criteria. "Responsive Proposer" is defined as a Proposer that has submitted a response that conforms in all material respects to the RFP. "Responsible Proposer" is defined as a Proposer that has the capacity in all respects to perform fully the contract requirements, and the integrity and reliability which will assure good faith performance.

5.2.1 Technical Response Evaluation

The Solicitation Coordinator will use the RFP Attachment 6.5, Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide to manage the Technical Proposal Evaluation and maintain evaluation records.

5.2.1.1 The Solicitation Coordinator will review each Technical Proposal to determine compliance with mandatory requirements (refer to RFP Attachment 6.5, Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide, Section A). If the Solicitation Coordinator determines that a proposal may have failed to meet one or more of the mandatory requirements, the Chief Procurement Officer will review the proposal and document his/her determination of whether: (1) the proposal meets requirements for further evaluation; (2) the Institution will request clarifications; or (3) the Institution will determine the proposal to be non-responsive to the RFP and reject it. A determination that a proposal is non-responsive must be approved by the Chief Business Officer before notice may be sent out that the proposal has been rejected.

5.2.1.2 A Proposal Evaluation Team, appropriate to the scope and nature of the RFP, and consisting of three (3) or more Institution employees, will evaluate each Technical Proposal that appears responsive to the RFP.

5.2.1.3 Each Proposal Evaluation Team member will independently evaluate each Technical Proposal against the evaluation criteria, rather than against other proposals, and will score each in accordance with the RFP Attachment 6.5, Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide.

5.2.1.4 The Institution reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to request Proposer's clarification of a Technical Proposal or to conduct clarification discussions with any or all Proposers. Any such clarification or discussion shall be limited to specific sections of the proposal identified by the Institution. The Proposer shall submit its resulting clarification to the Institution in the format specified in the clarification request.

5.2.1.5 Finalist Presentation Evaluation

During the Technical Proposal evaluation process, the RFP Coordinator will use the RFP Attachment 6.4, Section C.5, to manage the Finalist Presentation Evaluations and maintain evaluation records.

a The highest evaluated Proposers, based on the preliminary review of the Technical proposals, will be invited to participate in the Finalist Presentations phase.

b Each Proposal Evaluation Team member will independently evaluate each Presentation against the Presentation criteria in this RFP, rather than against other presentations, and will score each in accordance with the defined topics in Section C.5. After completion of the Finalist Presentations, the evaluators will each finalize scoring of the Technical Proposals.

5.2.2 Cost Proposal Evaluation

After the Technical Proposal evaluation been completed, the Solicitation Coordinator will open the Cost Proposals and use the RFP Attachment 6.6, Cost Proposal and Scoring Guide to calculate and document the Cost Proposal scores.

5.2.3 Total Proposal Score

The Solicitation Coordinator will calculate the sum of the Technical Proposal scores, and the Cost Proposal scores and record the resulting number as the total score for the subject Proposal.

5.3 Contract Award Process

5.3.1 The Solicitation Coordinator will forward the results of the proposal evaluation process to the appropriate institution official who will consider the proposal evaluation process results and all pertinent information available to make a determination about the contract award. The Institution reserves the right to make an award without further discussion of any proposal.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to effect a contract award to a Proposer other than the one receiving the highest evaluation score, the requesting department/party must provide written justification for such an award and obtain the written approval of the appropriate institutional official.

5.3.2 After the appropriate official's determination, the Institution will issue an Intent to Award to identify the apparent best-evaluated proposal as specified in RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

NOTICE: The Intent to Award shall not create rights, interests, or claims of entitlement in either the Proposer with apparent best-evaluated proposal or any other Proposer.

5.3.3 The Institution will make the RFP files available for public inspection as in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events following issuance of the Intent to Award.

5.3.4 The Proposer with the apparent best-evaluated proposal must agree to and sign a contract with the Institution that shall be substantially the same as the RFP Attachment 6.2, Pro Forma Contract. Prior to contract execution, the Institution reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to add terms and conditions or to revise Pro Forma Contract requirements in the Institution's best interests. No such terms and conditions or revision of contract requirements shall materially affect the basis of proposal evaluations or negatively impact the competitive nature of the RFP process.

5.3.5 The Proposer with the apparent best-evaluated proposal must sign and return the Contract no later than the Award of Contract Date in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. If the Proposer fails to provide the signed Contract by the deadline, the Institution may determine that the Proposer is non-responsive to the RFP terms and reject the proposal.

5.3.6 If the Institution determines that the apparent best-evaluated proposal is non-responsive and rejects the proposal, the Solicitation Coordinator will re-calculate scores for each responsive Cost Proposal to determine the new, apparent best-evaluated proposal.

ATTACHMENT 6.1

To comply with reporting regulations required by the State of Tennessee and the United States federal income tax laws, it is

necessary that the following information be provided prior to the issuance of any contract.

This form must be completed in full.

*Minority Ownership Clarification:

"Minority owned business" means a business that is a continuing, independent, for profit business which performs a commercially useful function, and is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by one (1) or more minority individuals who are impeded from normal entry into the economic mainstream because of past practices of discrimination based on race or ethnic background.

"Minority" means a person who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and who is:

a) African American (a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa);

b) Hispanic (a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race);

c) Asian American (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands); or

d) Native American (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of North America).

**Woman-Owned Business Clarification:

A "woman-owned business" means a woman owned business that is a continuing, independent, for profit business which performs a commercially useful function, and is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by one or more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the stock of which is owned and controlled by one (1) or more women and whose management and daily business operations are under the control of one (1) or more women.

***Small Business Ownership Clarification:

A "small business" means a business that is independently owned and operated for profit, is not dominant in its field of operation and is not an affiliate or subsidiary of a business dominant in its field of operation.

The State of TN, GO-DBE Certification Program establishes small business guidelines on industry size standards. The criteria guidelines are required to be met in order for a business to be considered small. The annual receipts or number of employees indicates the maximum allowed for a small business concern and its affiliates to be considered small.

****Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE) Clarification

Tennessee Service-Disabled Veteran owned mean any person who served honorably on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States with at least a twenty percent (20%) disability that is service-connected meaning that such disability was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval or air service. "Tennessee service disabled veteran owned business" means a service-disabled veteran owned business that is a continuing, independent, for profit business located in the state of Tennessee that performs a commercially useful function.

Tennessee Service-Disabled Veteran owned means a service-disabled owned business that is a continuing, independent, for profit business located in the state of Tennessee that performs a commercially useful function, and

is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by one (1) or more service-disabled owned veterans;

In the case of a business solely owned by (1) service-disabled veteran and such person's spouse, is at least fifty percent (50) owned and controlled by the service-disabled veteran; or

In the case of any publicly owned business, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the stock of which is owned and controlled by one (1) or more service-disabled veteran and whose management and daily business operations are under the control of one (1) or more service-disabled veteran.

*****Persons with Disabilities, Disabled Business Enterprise (DSBE)

Business owned by persons with disabilities" means a business owned by a person with a disability that is a continuing, independent, for-profit business that performs a commercially useful function, and is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by one (1) or more persons with a disability; or, in the case of any publicly-owned business, at least fifty one percent (51%) of the stock of which is owned and controlled by one (1) or more persons with a disability and whose management and daily business operations are under the control of one (1) or more persons with a disability:

Person with a disability" means an individual who meets at least one (1) of the following:

(A) Has been diagnosed as having a physical or mental disability resulting in marked and severe functional limitations that is expected to last no less than twelve (12) months;

(B) Is eligible to receive social security disability insurance (SSDI); or

(C) Is eligible to receive supplemental security income (SSI) and has a disability as defined in subdivision (A)

ATTACHMENT 6.2 PRO FORMA CONTRACT

The Pro Forma Contract set forth in this Attachment contains some "blanks", signified in brackets by words in all capital letters, describing material to be added, along with appropriate additional information, in the final contract resulting from this RFP.

CONTRACT

BY AND BETWEEN

TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS

AND

[CONTRACTOR NAME]

This Contract is entered into this __ day of ________, 20__ by and between [INSTITUTION NAME] (hereinafter referred to as the "Institution") and [CONTRACTOR LEGAL ENTITY NAME], (hereinafter referred to as the "Contractor"), is for the purpose of providing [SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE SERVICE], as further defined in the "SCOPE OF SERVICES".

The Contractor is [AN INDIVIDUAL / A FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION / A NONPROFIT CORPORATION / A SPECIAL PURPOSE CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION / A FRATERNAL OR PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION / A PARTNERSHIP / A JOINT VENTURE / A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY] with its principal location being:

[ADDRESS]

The Contractor's place of incorporation or organization is [STATE OF ].

A. SCOPE OF SERVICES:

A.1. Marketing, Advertising & Communication services. The Contractor's specific responsibilities are further defined herein.

B. CONTRACT TERM:

B.1. Contract Term. This Contract shall be effective for the period commencing on August 15, 2026, and ending on August 14, 2027. The Institution shall have no obligation for services rendered by the Contractor which are not performed within the specified period.

B.2. Term Extension. The Institution reserves the right to extend this Contract for an additional period or periods of time representing increments of no more than one year and a total contract term of no more than five (5) years, provided that the Institution notifies the Contractor in writing of its intention to do so at least thirty (30) days prior to the Contract expiration date. An extension of the term of this Contract will be effected through an amendment to the Contract. If the extension of the Contract necessitates additional funding beyond that which was included in the original Contract, the increase in the Institution's maximum liability will also be effected through an amendment to the Contract and shall be based upon rates provided for in the original Contract.

C. PAYMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

C.1. Maximum Liability. In no event shall the maximum liability of the Institution under this Contract exceed [WRITTEN DOLLAR AMOUNT] [$NUMBER AMOUNT]. The Service Rates in Section C.3 include, but are not limited to, all applicable taxes, fees, overheads, and all other direct and indirect costs incurred or to be incurred by the Contractor. The maximum liability represents available funds for payment to the Contractor and does not guarantee payment of any such funds to the Contractor under this Contract unless the Institution requests work and the Contractor performs the work.

C.2. Compensation Firm. The Service Rates and the Maximum Liability of the Institution under this Contract are firm for the duration of the Contract and are not subject to escalation for any reason unless this Contract is amended.

C.3. Payment Methodology. The Contractor shall be compensated based on the Service Rates herein for units of service authorized by the Institution in a total amount not to exceed the Contract Maximum Liability established in Section C.1. The Contractor's compensation shall be contingent upon the satisfactory completion of units of service or project milestones listed below. The Contractor shall be compensated based upon the following Service Rates:

The Contractor shall submit monthly invoices, in form and substance acceptable to the Institution with all of the necessary supporting documentation, prior to any payment. Such invoices shall be submitted for completed units of service or project milestones for the amount stipulated.

C.4. Travel Compensation.The Contractor shall not be compensated or reimbursed for travel, meals, or lodging.

C.5. Payment of Invoice. The payment of an invoice by the Institution shall not prejudice the Institution's right to object to or question any invoice or matter in relation thereto. Such payment by the Institution shall neither be construed as acceptance of any part of the work or service provided nor as an approval of any of the amounts invoiced therein.

To ensure payment is made in a timely manner, the Contractor shall submit ALL invoices for the Institution's System Office and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) electronically to . Contractor agrees that no payment shall be made until the Contractor is officially registered through the Institution's Vendor Portal and provide all registration information requirements.

C.6. Invoice Reductions. The Contractor's invoice shall be subject to reduction for amounts included in any invoice or payment theretofore made which are determined by the Institution, on the basis of audits conducted in accordance with the terms of this Contract, not to constitute proper remuneration for compensable services.

C.7. Deductions. The Institution reserves the right to deduct from amounts which are or shall become due and payable to the Contractor under this or any Contract between the Contractor and the Institution any amounts which are or shall become due and payable to the Institution by the Contractor.

C.8. Retention of Final Payment. An amount of [WRITTEN DOLLAR AMOUNT] [$NUMBER AMOUNT], representing [WRITTEN NUMBER] percent [NUMBER %] of the maximum total compensation payable under this Contract, shall be withheld by the Institution until [WRITTEN NUMBER] [NUMBER] days after final completion of the services to be performed by the Contractor under this Contract.[THIS MAY BE DELETED IF NOT APPLICABLE]

D. STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

D.1. Required Approvals. The Institution is not bound by this Contract until it is approved by the appropriate officials in accordance with applicable Tennessee laws and regulations.

D.2. Modification and Amendment. This Contract may be modified only by a written amendment executed by all parties hereto and approved by the appropriate officials in accordance with applicable Tennessee state laws and regulations.

D.3. Ethnicity. This Contract shall not be executed until the Contractor has completed the Minority/Ethnicity Form.

D.4. Termination for Convenience. The Institution may terminate this Contract, in whole or in part, without cause for any reason. Termination under this Section D. 4 shall not be deemed a Breach of Contract by the Institution. The Institution shall give the Contractor at least sixty (60) days written notice before the effective termination date. The Contractor shall be entitled to receive compensation for satisfactory, authorized service completed as of the termination date, but in no event shall the Institution be liable to the Contractor for compensation for any service which has not been rendered. Upon such termination, the Contractor shall have no right to any actual general, special, incidental, consequential, or any other damages whatsoever of any description or amount based upon such termination.

D.5. Termination for Cause. If the Contractor fails to perform its obligations under this Contract in a timely or proper manner, or if the Contractor violates any term of this Contract, the Institution shall have the right to immediately terminate the Contract and withhold payments in excess of fair compensation for completed services; provided, however, Institution shall have the option to give Contractor written notice and a specified period of time in which to cure. Notwithstanding the above, the Contractor shall not be relieved of liability to the Institution for damages sustained by virtue of any breach of this Contract by the Contractor.

D.6. Subcontracting. The Contractor shall not assign this Contract or enter into a subcontract for any of the services performed under this Contract without obtaining the prior written approval of the Institution. If such subcontracts are approved by the Institution, they shall contain, at a minimum, sections of this Contract pertaining to "Conflicts of Interest" and "Nondiscrimination". Notwithstanding any use of approved subcontractors, the Contractor shall be the prime contractor and shall be responsible for all work performed.

D.7. Conflicts of Interest. The Contractor warrants that no part of the total Contract amount shall be paid directly or indirectly to an employee or official of the State of as wages, compensation, or gifts in exchange for acting as an officer, agent, employee, subcontractor, or consultant to the Contractor in connection with any work contemplated or performed relative to this Contract.

D.8. Nondiscrimination. The Contractor hereby agrees, warrants, and assures that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in the performance of this Contract or in the employment practices of the Contractor on the grounds of disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, veteran status, national origin, or any other classification protected by Federal, or State constitutional or statutory law. The Contractor shall, upon request, show proof of such nondiscrimination and shall post in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.

D.9. Records. The Contractor shall maintain documentation for all charges against the Institution under this Contract. The books, records, and documents of the Contractor, insofar as they relate to work performed or money received under this Contract, shall be maintained for a period of five (5) full years from the date of the final payment and shall be subject to audit at any reasonable time and upon reasonable notice by the Institution, the Comptroller of the Treasury, or their duly appointed representatives. The financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

D.10. Monitoring. The Contractor's activities conducted and records maintained pursuant to this Contract shall be subject to monitoring and evaluation by the Institution, the Comptroller of the Treasury, or their duly appointed representatives.

D.11. Progress Reports. The Contractor shall submit brief, periodic, progress reports to the Institution as requested. [OR SPECIFY TIME PERIOD - MONTHLY, QUARTERLY, SEMI-ANNUALLY, ANNUALLY, ETC.]

D.12. Strict Performance. Failure by any party to this Contract to insist in any one or more cases upon the strict performance of any of the terms, covenants, conditions, or provisions of this Contract shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any such term, covenant, condition, or provision. No term or condition of this Contract shall be held to be waived, modified, or deleted except by a written amendment signed by the parties hereto.

D.13. Independent Contractor. The parties hereto, in the performance of this Contract, shall not act as employees, partners, joint venturers, or associates of one another. It is expressly acknowledged by the parties hereto that the parties are independent contracting entities and that nothing in this Contract shall be construed to create an employer/employee relationship or to allow either to exercise control or direction over the manner or method by which the other transacts its business affairs or provides its usual services. The employees or agents of one party shall not be deemed or construed to be the employees or agents of the other party for any purpose whatsoever.

The Contractor, being an independent contractor and not an employee of the Institution, agrees to carry adequate public liability and other appropriate forms of insurance on the Contractor's employees, and to pay all applicable taxes incident to this Contract.

OR

The Contractor, being an independent contractor and not an employee of the Institution, agrees to carry public liability insurance, issued by a carrier licensed to do business in the State of Tennessee, in the amount of at least one million dollars per occurrence, with an endorsement naming the Institution as an additional insured under the policy, and any other forms of insurance required by law, including, but not limited to workers compensation insurance. The Contractor shall provide proof of all insurance required under this section prior to execution of this Contract. Contractor shall pay applicable taxes incident to this Contract.

[If the contract calls for the Contractor to do work on the property of the Institution or to do acts on behalf of the Institution that have any risk of injury to others, choose the second option]

D.14. Institution Liability. The Institution shall have no liability except as specifically provided in this Contract.

D.15. Force Majeure. The obligations of the parties to this Contract are subject to prevention by causes beyond the parties' control that could not be avoided by the exercise of due care including, but not limited to, acts of God, riots, wars, epidemics or any other similar cause.

D.16. State and Federal Compliance. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations, including Institution policies and guidelines in the performance of this Contract.

D.17. Governing Law. This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of . The Contractor agrees that it will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tennessee Claims Commission in actions that may arise under this Contract. The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that any rights or claims against the Institution or its employees hereunder, and any remedies arising therefrom, shall be subject to and limited to those rights and remedies, if any, available under Tennessee Code Annotated, Sections 9-8-101 through 9-8-407.

D.18. Severability. If any terms or conditions of this Contract are held to be invalid or unenforceable as a matter of law, the other terms and conditions hereof shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect. To this end, the terms and conditions of this Contract are declared severable.

D.19. Headings. Section headings of this Contract are for reference purposes only and shall not be construed as part of this Contract.

E. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

E.1. Communications and Contacts.

The Institution: [NAME AND TITLE OF INSTITUTION CONTACT PERSON] [INSTITUTION NAME] [ADDRESS] [TELEPHONE NUMBER] [FACSIMILE NUMBER] The Contractor: [NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTOR CONTACT PERSON] [CONTRACTOR NAME] [ADDRESS] [TELEPHONE NUMBER] [FACSIMILE NUMBER] All instructions, notices, consents, demands, or other communications shall be sent in a manner that verifies proof of delivery. Any communication by facsimile transmission shall also be sent by mail on the same date as the facsimile transmission. All communications which relate to any changes to the Contract shall not be considered effective until agreed to, in writing, by both parties.

E.2. Subject to Funds Availability. The Contract is subject to the appropriation and availability of State and/or Federal funds. In the event that the funds are not appropriated or are otherwise unavailable, the Institution reserves the right to terminate the Contract upon written notice to the Contractor. Termination under this Section E.2 shall not be deemed a breach of Contract by the Institution. Upon receipt of the written notice, the Contractor shall cease all work associated with the Contract. Should such an event occur, the Contractor shall be entitled to compensation for all satisfactory and authorized services completed as of the termination date. Upon such termination, the Contractor shall have no right to recover from the Institution any actual, general, special, incidental, consequential, or any other damages whatsoever of any description or amount.

E.3. Breach. A party shall be deemed to have breached the Contract if any of the following occurs (However, this list is not exclusive: failure to perform in accordance with any term or provision of the Contract; partial performance of any term or provision of the Contract; any act prohibited or restricted by the Contract; or, violation of any warranty. For purposes of this Contract, these items shall hereinafter be referred to as a "Breach."

a. Contractor Breach- Institution shall notify Contractor in writing of a Breach.

(1) In event of a Breach by Contractor, the Institution shall have available the remedy of actual damages and any other remedy available at law or equity.

(2) Liquidated Damages- [INCLUDE THIS SECTION ONLY IF APPLICABLE AND ADD ATTACHMENT AS DESCRIBED BELOW] In the event of a Breach, the Institution may assess Liquidated Damages. The Institution shall notify the Contractor of amounts to be assessed as Liquidated Damages. The parties agree that due to the complicated nature of the Contractor's obligations under this Contract it would be difficult to specifically designate a monetary amount for a Breach by Contractor as the amounts are likely to be uncertain and not easily proven. Contractor hereby represents and covenants it has carefully reviewed the Liquidated Damages provisions contained in the above referenced, Attachment [NUMBER] and agrees that the amounts represent a reasonable relationship between the amount and what might reasonably be expected in the event of Breach, and are a reasonable estimate of the damages that would occur from a Breach. It is hereby agreed between the parties that the Liquidated Damages represent solely the damages and injuries sustained by the Institution in losing the benefit of the bargain with Contractor and do not include any injury or damage sustained by a third party. The Contractor agrees that the liquidated damage amount is in addition to any amounts Contractor may owe the Institution pursuant to the indemnity provision or other section of this Contract. The Institution may continue to withhold the Liquidated Damages or a portion thereof until the Contractor cures the Breach, the Institution exercises its option to declare a Partial Default, or the Institution terminates the Contract. The Institution is not obligated to assess Liquidated Damages before availing itself of any other remedy. The Institution may choose to discontinue Liquidated Damages and avail itself of any other remedy available under this Contract or at law or in equity; provided, however, Contractor shall receive a credit for Liquidated Damages previously withheld except in the event of a Partial Default.

(3) Partial Default- In the event of a Breach, the Institution may declare a Partial Default. In which case, the Institution shall provide the Contractor written notice of: (1) the date which Contractor shall terminate providing the service associated with the Breach; and (2) the date the Institution will begin to provide the service associated with the Breach. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Institution may revise the time periods contained in the notice written to the Contractor.

In the event the Institution declares a Partial Default, the Institution may withhold, together with any other damages associated with the Breach, from the amounts due the Contractor the greater of: (1) amounts which would be paid the Contractor to provide the defaulted service; or (2) the cost to the Institution of providing the defaulted service, whether said service is provided by the Institution or a third party. To determine the amount the Contractor is being paid for any particular service, the Institution shall be entitled to receive within five (5) days of any request, pertinent material from Contractor. The Institution shall make the final and binding determination of the amount. Upon Partial Default, the Contractor shall have no right to recover from the Institution any actual, general, special, incidental, consequential, or any other damages whatsoever of any description or amount. Contractor agrees to cooperate fully with the Institution in the event a Partial Default is declared.

b. Institution Breach- In the event of a Breach of contract by the Institution, the Contractor shall notify the Institution in writing within 30 days of any Breach of contract by the Institution. The notice shall contain a description of the Breach. In the event of Breach by the Institution, the Contractor may avail itself of any remedy available in the Claims Commission; provided, however, failure by the Contractor to give the Institution written notice and opportunity to cure as described herein operates as a waiver of the Institution's Breach. Failure by the Contractor to file a claim before the Claims Commission within one (1) year of the written notice of Breach shall operate as a waiver of the claim in its entirety. It is agreed by the parties this provision establishes a contractual period of limitations for any claim brought by the Contractor.

E.4. Copyrights and Patents/Institution Ownership of Work Products. Contractor grants Institution a world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive, irrevocable, fully paid up license to use any proprietary software products delivered under this Contract. The Institution shall have royalty-free and unlimited rights to use, disclose, reproduce, or publish, for any purpose whatsoever, as well as share in any financial benefits derived from the commercial exploitation of all work products created, designed, developed, or derived from the services provided under this Contract. The Institution shall have the right to copy, distribute, modify and use any training materials delivered under this Contract for internal purposes only.

The Contractor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Institution as well as its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims or suits which may be brought against the Institution for infringement of any third party's intellectual property rights, including but not limited to, any alleged patent or copyright violations. The Institution shall give the Contractor written notice of any such claim or suit and full right and opportunity to conduct the Contractor's own defense thereof. In any such action brought against the Institution, the Contractor shall take all reasonable steps to secure a license for Institution to continue to use the alleged infringing product or, in the alternative, shall find or develop a reasonable, non-infringing alternative to satisfy the requirements of this Contract.

The Contractor further agrees that it shall be liable for the reasonable fees of attorneys for the Institution in the event such service is necessitated to enforce the obligations of the Contractor to the Institution.

E.5. Insurance. The Contractor shall maintain a commercial general liability policy. The commercial general liability policy shall provide coverage which includes, but is not limited to, bodily injury, personal injury, death, property damage and medical claims, with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, $3,000,000 in the aggregate. The Contractor shall maintain workers' compensation coverage or a self-insured program as required under Tennessee law. The Contractor shall deliver to the Institution both certificates of insurance no later than the effective date of the Contract. If any policy providing insurance required by the Contract is cancelled prior to the policy expiration date, the Contractor, upon receiving a notice of cancellation, shall give immediate notice to the Institution.

The enumeration in the Contract of the kinds and amounts of liability insurance shall not abridge, diminish or affect the Contractor's legal responsibilities arising out of or resulting from the services under this Contract.

E.6. Performance Bond. [ADD ONLY IF APPLICABLE] Contractor shall furnish a performance bond in the amount equal to [WRITTEN DOLLAR AMOUNT] ($[NUMBER AMOUNT]), guaranteeing full and faithful performance of all undertakings and obligations under this Contract for the initial Contract term and all extensions thereof. The bond shall be in the manner and form prescribed by the Institution, must be issued through a company licensed to issue such a bond in the State of .

The Contractor shall provide the bond to the Institution no later than the effective date of this Contract. Failure to provide the performance bond prior to the deadline as required shall result in contract termination. In lieu of a performance bond, a surety deposit, in the sum of [WRITTEN DOLLAR AMOUNT] [$NUMBER DOLLAR AMOUNT], may be substituted if approved by the Institution prior to its submittal.

E.7. Competitive Procurements. If this Contract provides for reimbursement of the cost of goods, materials, supplies, equipment, or services, such procurements shall be made on a competitive basis, when practical.

E.8. Inventory/Equipment Control. [CHOOSE ONE]

The Contractor agrees to be responsible and accountable for the maintenance, management, and inventory of all property purchased totally or in part with funds provided under this Contract. The Contractor shall maintain a perpetual inventory system for all equipment purchased with funds provided under this Contract and shall submit an inventory control report with the required progress reports.

The Contractor shall notify the Institution, in writing, of any equipment loss describing reason(s) for the loss. Should the equipment be destroyed, lost, or stolen, the Contractor shall be responsible to the Institution for the pro rata amount of the residual value at the time of loss based upon the Institution's original contribution to the purchase price.

Upon completion or cancellation of this Contract, all equipment purchased with funds provided under this Contract shall be returned to the Institution.

[OR]

No equipment shall be purchased under this Contract.

E.9. Institution Furnished Property. The Contractor shall be responsible for the correct use, maintenance, and protection of all articles of nonexpendable, tangible, personal property furnished by the Institution for the Contractor's temporary use under this Contract. Upon termination of this Contract, all property furnished shall be returned to the Institution in good order and condition as when received, reasonable use and wear thereof excepted. Should the property be destroyed, lost, or stolen, the Contractor shall be responsible to the Institution for the residual value of the property at the time of loss.

E.10. Contract Documents. Included in this Contract by reference are the following documents: a. This Contract document and its attachments b. The Request for Proposal and its associated amendments c. The Contractor's Proposal In the event of a discrepancy or ambiguity regarding the interpretation of this Contract, these documents shall govern in order of precedence as listed above. This Contract, including all documents listed above, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, and understandings, whether written or oral.

E.11. Prohibited Advertising. The Contractor shall not refer to this Contract or the Contractor's relationship with the Institution hereunder in commercial advertising in such a manner as to state or imply that the Contractor or the Contractor's services are endorsed.

E.12. Hold Harmless. The Contractor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Institution as well as its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, and causes of action which may arise, accrue, or result to any person (including Institution), firm, corporation, or other entity which may be injured or damaged as a result of acts, omissions, or negligence on the part of the Contractor, its employees, or any person acting for or on its or their behalf relating to this Contract. The Contractor further agrees it shall be liable for the reasonable cost of attorneys for the Institution in the event such service is necessitated to enforce the terms of this Contract or otherwise enforce the obligations of the Contractor to the Institution.

In the event of any such suit or claim, the Institution shall give the Contractor written notice of any such claim or suit, and the Contractor shall have full right and obligation to conduct the Contractor's own defense thereof and shall provide all assistance required by the Institution in the Institution's defense. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to accord to the Contractor, through its attorney(s), the right to represent the Institution in any legal matter, such rights being governed by Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-6-106.

E.13. Debarment and Suspension. The Contractor certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that it and its principals:

a. are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal or state department or agency;

b. have not within a three (3) year period preceding this Contract been convicted of, or had a civil judgment rendered against them from commission of fraud, or a criminal offence in connection with obtaining attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, State, or Local) transaction or grant under a public transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification, or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property;

c. are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity (Federal, State, or Local) with commission of any of the offenses listed in section b. of this certification; and

d. have not within a three (3) year period preceding this Contract had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, or Local) terminated for cause or default.

E.14. ProhibitiononHiringIllegalImmigrants. T.C.A. 12-3-309 prohibits State entities from contracting to acquire goods or services from any person who knowingly utilize the service of illegal immigrants in the performance of a contract or who knowingly utilize the services of any subcontractor, if permitted under the contract, who will utilize the services of illegal immigrants in the performance of the contract. By signing this Contract, the Contactor attests, certifies, warrants, and assures that the Contractor shall not knowingly utilize the services of illegal immigrants in the performance of the Contract and will not knowingly utilize the services of any subcontractor, if permitted under the Contract, who will utilize the services of illegal immigrants in the performance of the Contract.

If Contractor is discovered to have breached the Attestation, the Commissioner of Finance and Administration shall declare that the Contractor shall be prohibited from contracting or submitting a bid to any Tennessee Board of Regents institution or any other state entity for a period of one (1) year from the date of discovery of the breach. Contractor may appeal the one (1) year by utilizing an appeals process in the Rules of Finance and Administration, Chapter 0620.

E.15. Red Flags and Identity Theft. (Include only if applicable) The Contractor shall have policies and procedures in place to detect relevant Red Flags, as that term is defined in Federal Trade Commission regulations, that may arise in the performance of the Contractor's activities under the Contract or review the Institution's Red Flags identity theft program and report any Red Flags to Institution.

E.16. Sales and Use Tax. The Contractor attests that it has registered with, or have received an exemption from, the Department of Revenue for the collection of Tennessee sales and use tax. This registration requirement is a material requirement of this Contract. The Contractor shall comply, and shall require any subcontractor to comply, with all laws and regulations governing the remittance of sales and use taxes on the sale of goods and services made by the Contractor, or the Contractor's subcontractor.

E.17. Data Privacy and Security.

Data Privacy.

"Personal Information" means information provided to Contractor by or at the direction of Institution, or to which access was provided to Contractor by or at the direction of Institution, in the course of Contractor's performance under this Agreement that:

identifies or can be used to identify an individual (including, without limitation, names, signatures, addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and other unique identifiers); or

can be used to authenticate an individual (including, without limitation, employee identification numbers, government-issued identification numbers, passwords or PINs, financial account numbers, credit report information, biometric or health data, answers to security questions and other personal identifiers.

Contractor represents and warrants that its collection, access, use, storage, disposal and disclosure of Personal Information complies with all applicable federal and state privacy and data protection laws, including without limitation, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ("GLBA"); the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA");the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA") of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 1232g), the FTC's Red Flag Rules and any applicable federal or state laws, as amended ,together with regulations promulgated thereunder. Contractor represents and warrants that Contractor will use the Personal Information only for the purposes authorized by this Agreement and will not sell or share the Personal Information with any other person or entity. Contractor shall not use Personal Information for profiling, analytics, training of algorithms or models (including AI/ML), or any purpose not explicitly authorized in writing by Institution.

Some Personal Information provided by Institution to Contractor is subject to FERPA. Contractor acknowledges that its improper disclosure or re-disclosure of Personal Information covered by FERPA may, under certain circumstances, result in Contractor's exclusion from eligibility to contract with Customer for at least five (5) years and agrees to become a "school official" as defined in the applicable Federal Regulations for the purposes of this Agreement.

Data Security. Contractor represents and warrants that Contractor will maintain compliance with the SSAE18 standard or successor standard, and shall undertake any audits and risk assessments Contractor deems necessary to maintain compliance with SSAE18.

Incident Response. "Security Incident" means any reasonably suspected breach of information security, unauthorized access to any system, server or database, or any other unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of Personal Information or Highly-Sensitive Personal Information occurring on systems under Contractor's control. Contractor shall: (a) provide Institution with the name and contact information for an employee of Contractor who shall serve as Customer's primary security contact and shall be available to assist Customer twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as a contact in resolving obligations associated with a Security Incident; (b) notify Institution of a Security Incident as soon as practicable, but no later than forty eight (48) hours after Contractor becomes aware of it, except where disclosure is prohibited by law; and (c) notify Institution of any such Security Incident as follows:

(insert applicable IT or other staff contact information specific to the Institution here)

Contact:

Contact Email:

Contact Phone:

and

a copy by e-mail to Contractor's primary business contact at the Institution.

Contractor shall use best efforts to immediately mitigate or resolve any Security Incident, at Contractor's expense and in accordance with applicable privacy rights, laws, regulations and standards. Contractor shall reimburse Institution for actual costs incurred by Institution in responding to, and mitigating damages caused by, any Security Incident, including all costs of notice and/or remediation incurred under all applicable laws as a result of the Security Incident.

Return of Personal Information. At any time during the term of this Agreement, at the Institution's written request or upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement, Contractor shall return to the Institution all copies, whether in written, electronic or other form or media, of Confidential, Highly-Sensitive, or Personal Information in its possession, or at Customer's direction, securely dispose of all such copies conforming to NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 1 "Guidelines for Media Sanitization" or successor standard. Upon request or contract termination, the contractor must provide a certificate or certified document stating that they have either returned all requested Confidential, Highly-Sensitive, or Personal Information to TBR or securely destroyed it in accordance with relevant regulations. This certificate should include details of the methods used for destruction and confirmation that no copies of the information remain in the contractor's possession. Contractor shall provide the certificate of destruction within ten (10) business days of request or contract termination.

The Contractor shall provide and retain timely, accurate, and comprehensive information such as records and reports that allow TBR to monitor risks. The inventory of reports should include SOC 1, SOC 2, and reports for data breaches. In cases where SOC reports are not available, TBR will accept a Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Toolkit (HECVAT) report as an alternative. Contractor shall provide updated SOC 2, SOC 2 Bridge letters, or HECVAT reports annually or upon material change to operations. Contractor shall immediately report any exceptions or control failures identified during audits.

Data Residency. Contractor shall ensure that all data, including but not limited to Personal Information and Highly-Sensitive Personal Information, is stored and processed within the geographic boundaries of the United States. The Contractor shall not transfer or store any data outside of the United States without the prior written consent of the Institution. In the event of any data transfer or storage outside the United States, the Contractor must comply with all applicable data protection laws and regulations and provide adequate safeguards to protect the data. Contractor may use sub-processors such as AWS or Microsoft Azure, provided that all data remains within data centers located in the continental United States, and those sub-processors comply with equivalent security and privacy obligations.

E.18. Contractor Reporting. The Contractor shall assist with the Institution's state and federal reporting requirements by providing, as requested, a quarterly report of participation in the performance of this Contract by small business enterprises and businesses owned by minorities, women, service-disabled veterans, and persons with disabilities. Such reports shall be provided to the Institution in form and substance as required by the Institution.

E.19. Iran Divestment Act. The requirements of Tenn. Code Ann. 12-12-101 et.seq., addressing contracting with persons with investment activities in Iran, shall be a material provision of this Contract. The Contractor agrees, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief that it is not on the list created pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. 12-12-106.

E.20. Boycott of Israel. The Contractor certifies that is not currently engaged in and will not for the duration of the contract engage in, a boycott of Israel as defined by Tenn. Code Ann. 12-4-119. This provision shall not apply to contracts with a total potential value of less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) or to contractors with less than ten (10) employees.

E.21. Service and Software Accessibility Standards. The Contractor warrants and represents that the service and software, including any updates, provided to the Institution will meet the accessibility standards set forth in WCAG 2.1 AA (also known as ISO standard, ISO/IEC 40500:2012), EPub 3 and Section 508 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. To the extent that the products fail to meet the WCAG 2.1 AA, EPub 3 and Section 508 standards, the Contractor will provide Institution with a fully completed Accessibility Statement and Conformance and Remediation forms. The Contractor shall indemnify and hold the Institution harmless in the event of claims arising from inaccessibility related to the Contractor's product and/or services.

E.22. Click-Wrap Agreements. The Contractor agrees that click-wrap agreements shall not be binding upon the Institution. No employee has the actual or apparent authority to enter into click-wrap agreements on behalf of the Institution without the approval of the Institution's Procurement and/or Contracts Office. No employee has the authority to modify, amend, or supplement this Contract through a click-wrap agreement. This Contract can only be modified, amended, or supplemented under these terms through a written amendment in accordance with the Institution's and TBR's procedures, policies, and guidelines.

E.23. Binding Contract. The Contractor fully understands that this Contract is not binding except and until all appropriate State officials' approvals and signatures have been obtained, and the fully executed document returned to the Contractor.

ATTACHMENT A

CONTRACTOR RESPONSBILITIES

Contractor Responsibilities to be added upon contract award

ATTACHMENT B

CONTRACT RATES

Note: The contract rates to be added upon contract award.

Proposers are NOT to fill in any cost information below.

ATTACHMENT 6.3

ATTACHMENT 6.4

RFP REQUIREMENTS

Overview

The Tennessee Board of Regents System (hereinafter Institution, TBR) is soliciting Proposals from qualified Proposers to perform a variety of marketing, advertising and/or communications services, including developing advertising campaign themes and messaging, developing creative ads (including print, broadcast and web- or mobile-based), and web-based marketing for any department or college within the TBR system who may request it.

The Contract resulting from this Request for Proposal (RFP) shall be for a maximum period of five (5) years, inclusive of any applicable renewals.

The following are requirements to respond to this Request for Proposal and should be used as a strict guideline in the preparation of a proposal. Each Proposer must use the Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide (Attachment 6.5) to organize, reference, and draft its Technical Proposal. Each Proposer must duplicate the Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide and use it as a table of contents covering the Technical Proposal (adding proposal page numbers as appropriate). The order of the response to the Technical Proposal and Evaluation Guide must be preserved.

The Institution expects all Proposers to submit a complete and thorough response to the specifications identified in this RFP. In response to each specification, Proposers must clearly identify the specification to which they are responding and thoroughly explain how their solution fulfills the requirement of that specification.

Interested Proposers are to provide proposals, including but not limited to, the following requirements.

A. Financial Stability Mandatory Requirements (Proposers to indicate in Attachment 6.5, Section A page reference numbers of its Proposal to these requirements)

Notice: There are no exceptions to the items requested below. If proposer fails to submit the mandatory requirements in the format requested below, the proposal shall be deemed non-responsive, and the institution shall reject it.

A.1 Provide the Technical Transmittal and Statement of Certifications and Assurances (Attachment 6.3) completed and signed, in the space provided, by an individual empowered to bind the Proposer to the provisions of this RFP and any resulting contract.

Each Proposer must sign the Technical Transmittal and Statement of Certifications and Assurances without exception or qualification.

A.2 Provide a Statement, based upon reasonable inquiry, of whether the Proposer or any individual who shall perform work under the contract has a possible conflict of interest (e.g., employment by the State of Tennessee) and, if so, the nature of that conflict.

NOTE: Determination of conflict of interest shall be solely within the discretion of the Institution, and the Institution reserves the right to cancel any award.

A.3 Provide a current bank reference indicating that the Proposer's business relationship with the financial institution is in positive standing. Such reference must be written in the form of a standard business letter, on bank letterhead, signed, and dated within the past three (3) months.

A.4 Provide two current positive credit references from vendors with which the Proposer has done business written in the form of standard business letters, on reference's letterhead, signed, and dated within the past three (3) months.

A.5 Provide EITHER:

an official document or letter from an accredited credit bureau, verified and dated within the last three (3) months and indicating a positive credit rating for the Proposer (NOTE: A credit bureau report number without the full report is insufficient and will not be considered responsive.); OR

a Dun & Bradstreet Credit eValuator Plus Report dated within the last three (3) months and indicating a positive credit rating for the Proposer.

A.6 Minority/Ethnicity Form (Attachment 6.1).

A.7 Provide a copy of a valid, current certificate of insurance indicating general liability insurance. Prior to contract award, successful Proposer will be required to submit a valid, current certificate of insurance with the limit requirements provided in Section 4.8 above.

B. Qualifications and Experience Requirements (Proposers to indicate in Attachment 6.5, Section B page reference numbers of its Proposal to these requirements)

B.1. Describe the Proposer's form of business (i.e., individual, sole proprietor, corporation, non-profit corporation, partnership, Limited Liability Company) and detail the name, mailing address, email address and telephone number of the person the Institution should contact regarding the Proposal.

B.2. Provide a statement of whether there have been any mergers, acquisitions, or sales of the Proposer company within the last ten years, and if so, an explanation providing relevant details.

B.3. Provide a statement of whether the Proposer or any of the Proposer's principals have been convicted of, pled guilty to, or pled nolo contendere to any felony, and if so, an explanation providing relevant details.

B.4. Provide a statement of whether there is any pending litigation against the Proposer; and if such litigation exists, an attached opinion of counsel as to whether the pending litigation will impair the Proposer's performance in a contract under this RFP.

B.5. Provide a statement of whether, in the last ten years, the Proposer has filed (or had filed against it) any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, whether voluntary or involuntary, or undergone the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or assignee for the benefit of creditors, and if so, an explanation providing relevant details.

B.6. Provide a statement of whether there are any pending Securities Exchange Commission investigations involving the Proposer, and if such are pending or in progress, an explanation providing relevant details and an attached opinion of counsel as to whether the pending investigation(s) will impair the Proposer's performance in a contract under this RFP.

B.7. Provide a brief, descriptive Statement indicating the Proposer's credentials to deliver the requested goods and/or services.

B.8. Indicate how long the Proposer has been providing the requested goods and/or services and include the number of years in business.

B.9. Indicate the Proposer organization's number of employees, client base, and location of offices (list all offices in the State).

B.10. Provide a narrative description of the proposed project team and its organizational structure, list its members, and include resumes. (The Institution reserves the right to approve any changes in the proposed project team). Information about each project team member shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Contact Name

Title

Years with the Proposer's firm

B.11. Provide a statement of whether the Proposer intends to use subcontractors, and if so, the names and mailing addresses of the committed subcontractors and a description of the scope and portions of the work the subcontractors will perform. The area of the state that each subcontractor will cover must be included.

B.12. Provide customer references for similar projects, with an emphasis on higher education entities, representing three of the larger accounts serviced by the Proposer. The standard reference questionnaire, which must be used and completed, is provided at RFP Attachment 6.7. References that are not completed as required may be deemed non-responsive and may not be considered.

The Proposer will be solely responsible for obtaining fully completed reference questionnaires and including them in the sealed Technical Response. In order to obtain and submit the completed reference questionnaires follow the process below.

Client References may be submitted electronically or physically.

Electronic Submission:

(a) Electronic submission of Client References will be accepted via email to: .

(b) Client References must be received directly from the client providing the reference or submitted by Proposer with original signature from the client providing the reference.

Physical Submission:

(a) Add the Proposer Identification Number to the standard reference questionnaire at RFP Attachment 6.7. and make a copy for each reference. For identification purposes to proposer's references, it is acceptable to provide Proposer name and brief explanation why a Proposer Identification Number is being used on a separate sheet of paper.

(b) Send a reference questionnaire and new, standard #10 envelope to each reference.

(c) Instruct the reference to:

(i) complete the reference questionnaire;

(ii) sign and date the completed reference questionnaire;

(iii) seal the completed, signed, and dated reference questionnaire within the envelope provided;

(iv) sign his or her name in ink across the sealed portion of the envelope; and

(v) return the sealed envelope directly to the Proposer (the Proposer may wish to give each reference a deadline, such that the Proposer will be able to collect all required references in time to include them within the sealed Technical Response).

(d) Do NOT open the sealed references upon receipt.

(e) Enclose all sealed reference envelopes within a larger, labeled envelope for inclusion in the Technical Response as required.

NOTES:

The Institution will not accept late references or references submitted by any means other than that which is described above, and each reference questionnaire submitted must be completed as required.

The Institution will not review more than the number of required references indicated above.

While the Institution will base its reference check on the contents of the sealed reference envelopes included in the Technical Response package, the Institution reserves the right to confirm and clarify information detailed in the completed reference questionnaires and may consider clarification responses in the evaluation of references.

The Institution reserves the right to check other sources of references.

The Institution is under no obligation to clarify any reference information.

C. Technical Requirements (Proposers to indicate in Attachment 6.5, Section C page reference numbers of its Proposal to these requirements)

NOTICE: NO PRICING INFORMATION SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL. THIS INCLUDES REFERENCES TO ITEMS THAT ARE INCLUDED "FREE" OR "AT NO ADDITIONAL COST", ETC. INCLUSION OF PRICING INFORMATION IN THE TECHNICAL PROPOSAL MAY MAKE THE PROPOSAL NON-RESPONSIVE, AND THE INSTITUTION MAY REJECT IT, AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION.

C.1 Technical Mandatory Pass/Fail Requirements (Proposer shall validate in its response its understanding of these mandatory requirements and its ability to provide the required goods and/or services as well as describe in detail the sub-contractors it uses for these goods and/or services and how each process is conducted.

Minimum Proposer Requirements:

C.1.1 Minimum Proposer Requirements:

Proposer shall validate in its Technical Response its ability to provide the following services for utilization by the Institution:

Proposer shall validate its ability to develop statewide and/or local and regional marketing and advertising campaigns to meet the stated goals of the college system or any of its colleges. The Proposer must be able to effectively:

Identify key value statements and develop effective, engaging creative concepts that are transferable to a variety of media.

Oversee production processes from concept to completion (for example, oversee script, casting, filming, editing, etc. for a television spot).

Provide timeline and budget for developing campaign components

Develop advertising strategies for both traditional and new media.

Develop and implement successful social media campaigns

Provide tracking measurements of campaign effectiveness.

Proposer shall validate in its response its understanding of the requirement for the Proposer to delineate the process to be followed in developing marketing and advertising campaign, including engagement of the community colleges and TBR staff if requested.

Proposer shall validate in its response its understanding of the requirement for the Proposer to provide a timetable outlining the schedule for developing any plans, specifying the steps in the process, and setting out milestones for campaign development progress. Samples of such past timetables should be included.

Proposer shall validate in its response its understanding of the requirement for the Proposer to demonstrate its ability to comprehend the client's current market position, market challenges and goals in minimal time and develop successful advertising and marketing campaigns to meet client's stated objectives.

C.2 Technical Scored Requirements (In the previous Mandatory pass/fail section (Section C.1) Proposer was asked to validate in its response its understanding of the mandatory requirements. In Section, C.2 Proposer is to describe its goods and/or services and will be scored based on those descriptions. Proposers to indicate in Attachment 6.5, Section C (2) page reference numbers of its Proposal containing its responses to these requirements).

C.2.1 General Requirements

Proposer shall describe its ability to develop statewide and/or local and regional marketing and advertising campaigns to meet the stated goals of the college system or any of its colleges. The Proposer must be able to effectively:

Identify key value statements and develop effective, engaging creative concepts that are transferable to a variety of media.

Oversee production processes from concept to completion (e.g., oversee script, casting, filming, editing, etc. for a television spot).

Provide timeline and budget for developing campaign components

Develop advertising strategies for both traditional and new media.

Develop media plans and execute media buys.

Develop and implement successful social media campaigns.

Provide tracking measurements of campaign effectiveness.

Proposer shall describe how it will delineate the process to be followed in developing marketing and advertising campaign, including engagement of the community and technical colleges and TBR staff if requested.

Proposer shall describe its ability to provide a timetable outlining the schedule for developing the plan, specifying the steps in the process and setting out milestones for campaign development progress. Samples of such past timetables should be included.

Proposer shall describe its ability to comprehend client's current market position, market challenges and goals in minimal time and develop successful advertising and marketing campaigns to meet client's stated objectives.

C.2.2 Accessibility Requirements

All Informational Material and Technology (IMT) developed, purchased, upgraded or renewed by or for the use of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) will comply with all applicable TBR policies, Federal and State laws and regulations including but not limited to the accessibility guidelines set forth in , , and all other regulations promulgated under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of The Americans with Disabilities Act as amended. Further:

Compliance means that a person with a disability can acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same goods and/or services as a person without a disability, in an equally effective and integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.

The Successful Proposer warrants that any IMT purchased by, developed, upgraded or renewed for the Institution will comply with the aforementioned accessibility guidelines and the Successful Proposer will provide accessibility testing results, written documentation verifying accessibility including the most recent VPAT for the product/service identified in this document.

The Successful Proposer will promptly respond to and resolve accessibility issues/complaints, and to indemnify and hold the Institution harmless in the event of claims arising from inaccessibility of the contractor's/vendor's product(s) or service(s).

Proposer shall provide access to the Institution as needed for testing/compliance review.

Additional information can be found in Attachment 6.11, Vendor Product Accessibility Statement and Documentation.

If Proposer is not compliant at this time with these standards, Proposer shall describe in response to Section C.2.2 below, via the Accessibility Conformance and Remediation Form (Attachment 6.13) its plan for remediation.

Proposer must validate that it has implemented and maintains 'appropriate safeguards,' as that term is used in 314.4(d) of the FTC Safeguard Rule, 16 C.F.R. 314, for all 'customer information,' as that term is defined in 314.2(b) of the FTC Safeguard Rule, delivered to Proposer by Institution pursuant to this Agreement. Proposer must validate that it has implemented an Information Security Program ('the Program') as required by the FTC Safeguard Rule.

Proposer shall validate in its response its understanding that Proposer shall have a retention and disposal policy of system data.

Proposer shall validate in its response its understanding that Proposer shall utilize a data recover/backup system.

C.3. Strategic Supplier Expenditures

C.3.1 Reporting

The Institution is required to report to the State of Tennessee, GO-DBE Certification Program (GO-DBE) annual expenditures for businesses with the following classifications (see Attachment 6.1 for definitions of these classifications):

Small

Women

Service-Disabled Veterans

Persons with Disabilities

Minority:

a. African American

b. Hispanic American

c. Asian American

d. Native American

e. Other Minorities

The Proposer may be required, on a quarterly basis and if applicable, to provide subcontractor spend information, to each Institution, for the categories listed above to the Institutions listed in Attachment 6.9. For reporting purposes, contractors are permitted to only be classified in one of the above categories.

C.4. Additional Goods and/or Services

Notice: No cost or pricing (including required or optional pricing) information shall be included in the Technical Proposal. Inclusion of cost or pricing information including notations that items are "free of charge" or are "at no additional cost" in the Technical Proposal may make the proposal non-responsive, and the Institution may reject it.

Proposer shall describe any related goods and/or services available from the proposer in addition to those required in this RFP. The additional related goods and/or services may be added to the contract before contract signing at the sole discretion of the Institution. Proposer must fully describe the related goods and/or services in its Technical Proposal Response. Costs associated with additional related goods and/or services must be provided in the Cost Proposal only and provided on a separate attachment from the base Cost Proposal items requested.. Additional Goods and/or Services shall not be included in the evaluation. If Proposer is not quoting any additional goods and/or services, it must state this in its Technical Response.

C.5 Proposer Finalist Presentations

Proposers that submit responsive proposals, and receive the highest technical scores, will be designated as Finalists. Finalists will be required to make presentations to the evaluation committee. The presentations will be scheduled after the Technical Proposal review process is completed. The Solicitation Coordinator will notify all Proposers of the Finalists chosen and shall coordinate with each Finalist to schedule the date and time of presentation. If a Proposer is not chosen as a Finalist, its Cost Proposal shall remain sealed and unopened.

Finalist Presentations will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Finalists are responsible for ensuring capability to participate remotely with necessary software to deliver the presentation.

Proposers are strictly limited to the time allotted and the topics provided by the Institution. Points will be deducted if presentations exceed the allotted time or deviate from the presentation topics defined by the Institution.

Presentations will last no more than ninety (90) minutes and Finalists must cover the following topics:

Proposers have the opportunity to receive up to the points stated in Section 5 for its presentation.

NOTE: ANY MATERIALS THAT ARE PROVIDED TO THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE DURING THE PROPOSER PRESENTATION SHALL BECOME PART OF THE RFP FILE AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE TENNESSEE OPEN RECORDS ACT

NOTICE: A Technical Proposal and Presentation must not include any pricing or cost information. This includes references to items that are included "free" or "at no additional cost", etc. If any pricing or cost information amounts of any type (even pricing relating to other projects) is included in any part of the Technical Proposal, the Institution may deem the Response to be non-responsive and reject it.

D. Cost Proposal

Proposer shall provide an hourly rate for each of the service categories by line item per Attachment 6.6. All pricing must be included in Proposer's Cost Proposal over a 5-year period.

1. Administrative assistance

2. Account Management

3. Consultation

4. Copywriting/Editorial Content Development

5. Graphic Design/Production

6. Web Design/Production

7. Creative Concepting/Brainstorming

8. Photography

9. Videography (including filming/editing)

10. Marketing/Strategic Planning

11. Marketing Research

12. Media Placement (assuming standard 15% commission, proposer to include how much will be passed on to client in the form of savings on media buys)

13. Social Media Management

14. Media Placement & Invoice Reconciliation

Any optional costs for additional products/services related to this RFP must be provided on a separate

document with the Cost Proposal.

D.3 Price Escalation

Requests for price increases for services proposed in response to this RFP may be requested by the Successful Proposer at the annual renewal period. It will be solely the Institution's right to choose either to accept the price increase or cancel the item from the Contract. The Institution requires sixty (60) day notice prior to the anniversary renewal date of the Contract for any requested price increases and any price increase notice must be accompanied with record/proof of manufacturing price increase. In no event shall the proposed price increase exceed the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI). Should the Institution feel that the price increase request makes this Contract no longer cost effective for the Institution, the Institution shall cancel the Contract and conduct another competitive process. In no event shall price increase be uploaded unless the above mentioned prior notice has been given and approved by the Institution.

D.4 Prior to any marketing services being rendered, Successful Proposer will complete a negotiated marketing services Order Form, which will document the service type, number of hours involved, and amount of travel involved, any other cost associated with the event and an order form maximum liability amount which cannot be exceeded. Both the Successful Proposer and the TBR shall agree to the sample Order Form, attached to pro forma contract as Attachment C, and the maximum liability amount before the services can begin.