Shelby County
Tennessee
Lee Harris, Mayor
Questions and Answers No. 1
ISSUED: March 12, 2026
RFP 26-010-64B
Prisoner Transportation Services
(Shelby County Sheriff’s Department)
TO ALL PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS:
The following questions were submitted by a potential bidder. Our answers are listed
below in red:
1. Section VI, item H states that this project does not have a LOSB goal. Does
this mean that proposers do not have to meet any LOSB requirements to be
considered responsive? Per Shelby County Government - Purchasing –
LOSB requirement - waive
2. The governing bodies for prisoner transportation and extradition
companies are the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the US Department of
Justice (USDOJ)? Will the Shelby County Government acknowledge the
guidelines and laws set forth by these departments? Yes
3. Will the Shelby County Government require that vendors meet all
requirements for limits on continuous travel hours and miles as governed
by the FMCSA (Section 395.5 (a)? Yes – vendors will need to conform with
FMSCA (Section 395.5) Regulation for limits on continuous travel hours
and miles.
If so, will vendors be required to submit drivers logs to verify that they
conform to those requirements? Yes – vendors will need to conform with
FMSCA (Section 395.5) Regulation regarding drivers logs.
4. Will the Shelby County Government require vendors to have a Satisfactory
Audit Rating from the FMCSA, which measures the vendor's compliance
with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations?
Answer: Yes – vendors will need to conform with FMSCA (Section 395.5)
Regulation regarding satisfactory audit rating.
5. Proof of Authority to Operate is provided by a transport company being
issued a Motor Carrier Number (MC #) by FMCSA. This allows transport
vendors to cross state lines with inmates in their custody. Will the Shelby
County Government acknowledge and require an active Motor Carrier
Number?
Answer: Yes, we will acknowledge and they will need to comply with all
FMCSA regulations
6. Does the Shelby County Government realize that to be in compliance with
the FMCSA, vendors are required to carry Automobile Liability: If
transporting in a vehicle rated for 15 passengers or less, minimum coverage
of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) per occurrence
combined single limit for automobile liability and property damage; and/or:
If transporting in a vehicle rated for 16 passengers or more, minimum
coverage shall be five million dollars ($5,000,000) per occurrence combined
single limit for automobile liability and property damage?
Answer: Yes – FMCSA compliance if transporting in a vehicle rated for 15
passengers or less, minimum coverage of one million five hundred
thousand dollars ($1,500,000) per occurrence combined single limit for
automobile liability and property damage
7. If a vendor states they transport 8 passengers or less in a vehicle that was
designed to carry more passengers, will the Shelby County
Government uphold the FMCSA Regulation 383.5 which states, “designed
to carry” vehicles refer to the number of designated seats as originally
designed? Meaning if a vendor states they only carry 8 passengers on a
vehicle, but that vehicle was originally designed to carry 9-15 passengers,
will the Shelby County Government follow federal guidelines and require
that vendor to have a Motor Carrier number? FMCSA Regulation 383.5
would apply
8. Will the Shelby County Government check the VIN numbers of vendors
vehicles to confirm their vehicles are compliant with FMCSA Regulation
383.5? No
9. Does the Shelby County Government require vendors to have 24/7
recording devices in their transport vehicles? No
10.Does the Shelby County Government require vendors to have been in
business for a specific number of years to ensure company stability?
Minimum 3 years
Sincerely,
Signed Original on File
Monica Valentine, Buyer
Purchasing Department
Shelby County Government