Shelby County
Tennessee
Lee Harris, Mayor
Request for Qualifications
Shelby County Government
Purchasing Department
160 N. Main Street, 5th Floor
Memphis, TN 38103
Issued: November 20, 2025
Due: December 30, 2025 no later than 4:00 P.M. (Central Standard Time)
RFQ # 26-011-68
Federal Government Relations Consultant Services
(Shelby County Board of Commissioners)
Shelby County Government is soliciting written proposals, on a competitive basis, from interested and
qualified companies or professionals to provide Federal Government Relations Consultant
Services. Information regarding this formal bid is located on the County’s website at
www.shelbycountytn.gov. At the top of the home page, click on the dropdown box under “Business”,
click on “Purchasing” and “Bids” to locate the name of the above-described formal bid. Link:
https://bids.shelbycountytn.gov/
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IMPORTANT NOTES:
MANDATORY INFORMATION and FORMS – To properly respond and prepare your
proposal response, please make sure you pay close attention to all mandatory
information/forms requested, including signing and attaching all forms as required. This bid
clearly documents and outlines the format and what information is required at the time of
proposal submission.
COMPLETED EXCEL FILE – Vendor to answer directly in the scorecard (Excel file) all
information requested (minimum requirements and department-specific requirements). The
Excel file has two (2) yellow tabs/sheets named “MIN REQs” and “DEPT REQs”. Vendors
are to enter their information only where yellow cells, are on those 2 yellow tabs. Vendor to
submit with your proposal (both Printed and Digital formats). The Excel files must be submitted
on two (2) separate USB devices.
LOSB vendors have been identified for the goods and/or services described in this bid,
therefore a 20% LOSB goal will be applied.
Sincerely,
Signature on original file
Candace Jackson, Buyer
Shelby County Government
Purchasing Department
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
II. MINIMUM PROPOSER REQUIREMENTS
III. CORRESPONDENCE & QUESTIONS
IV. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE
V. PROPOSAL TIMELINE
VI. PROPOSAL CONDITIONS
VII. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION
VIII. AWARD OF CONTRACT
IX. PURPOSE / SCOPE OF WORK
X. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS
XI. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
XII. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION
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I. INTRODUCTION
Shelby County Government, (the “County”), is soliciting proposals from interested and
qualified Vendors to provide Federal Government Relations Consultant Services. This
Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) is being released to invite interested and qualified
Vendors to prepare and submit proposals in accordance with the instructions provided where
the successful proposer(s) will be selected and invited to enter into a contractual relationship
with Shelby County for the Goods and/or Services outlined in this RFQ, and per proposal(s)
received.
In this RFQ, the terms Proposer, Vendor, Bidder, Consultant, Contractor, and Provider are
used interchangeably unless the context indicates otherwise.
All specifications are part of this bid and general terms and conditions (as outlined in the
Terms of this bid). They shall become a part of and be included in any contract/purchase
order/systems contract resulting from any award.
These specifications are not intentionally written to favor any one manufacturer or service
provider, and are only for the purpose of indicating generally the type of work required of said
bid. Any responsible Bidder who considers these specifications to be of a non-competitive
nature should immediately contact the Administrator of Purchasing.
II. MINIMUM PROPOSER REQUIREMENTS
In order to be considered as “responsive”, all Proposers must answer and provide
justifications for ALL below minimal requirements.
The information requested below is to be answered directly in the scorecard
Excel file by all Vendors, and submitted as part of your proposal (both Printed
and Digital formats).
1. Provide all appropriate Licenses and Certifications required in the State of Tennessee
to provide the goods and/or perform the Services required. Provide a copy of your
current Shelby County Business License (if the business is located in Shelby County,
TN).
2. Must provide active Business Registration Number(s) and Vendor number, or your
applications are “in” the EOC system and the Purchasing system for processing (refer
to details outlined below) – please list all your Shelby County active BRNs .
3. Adherence to all provisions of Title VI requirements – please attest, and provide
proof/documentation if necessary.
4. Independent Vendors (sole proprietors) must adhere to State of Tennessee Public
Chapter No. 436, known as the “Tennessee Lawful Employment Act” (effective date
of 01/01/12) – please provide proof and documentation of employment eligibility
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(driver’s license…); Otherwise mention you are NOT an Independent Vendors (sole
proprietors).
5. FORM – Drug-Free Workplace Affidavit must be completed, signed, and notarized
with your bid/proposal – even if less than 5 employees.
6. Must attest to a minimum of _five ( 5 ) years of experience providing the goods and/or
performing the services described in this bid.
7. Must provide Letter of Interest and Statement of Qualifications (ref. to Section
VII.F.).List any additional requirements at the time of bid submission, if applicable.
8. Must attest to having successful experiences engaging members of Congress: House
and Senate, as well as other Federal Government agencies, to address matters affecting
a population of similar demographics in the areas of ethnicity, socio-economic status,
and a combination of rural and urban communities similar to Shelby County, TN, as
described in this bid.
Shelby County BRN and Vendor numbers
Please be advised, references and instructions regarding the Equal Opportunity
Compliance Office (EOC) are subject to change. In the event there is a change prior to the
conclusion of the solicitation, the instructions will be updated. The current registration
process will continue until further notice.
As a part of doing business with Shelby County Government (SCG), each individual, company,
or organization is required to have active BRN and Vendor numbers before starting to provide
goods/services to SCG.
• To obtain an SCG Business Registration Number (as well as LOSB, if applicable)
and the SCG Vendor number, please submit an online application, as described
below. The EOC and Vendor applications are combined.
Online Application Process
Go to: https://apps.shelbycountytn.gov/EOCPublic/
• Complete and submit the application online only
Note: Prior to accessing the application, please read the application instructions
in their entirety to make sure that you completely understand all of the
information that will be required on the application.
Upon receiving the BRN , the application will be forwarded to the Purchasing Department for
processing. You will receive your Vendor number via email.
Applicants who have an unexpired BRN and only need a Vendor number will be directed
accordingly once they access the link.
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.