SWC 387 Managed Service Provider For Statewide Contingent Workforce Services

12-18-25 RFP
STATE OF TENNESSEE
Department of General Services
Central Procurement Office
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR
SWC#387 Managed Service Provider
For Statewide Contingent Workforce Services
RFP # 32110-38726
RFP CONTENTS
SECTIONS:
1. INTRODUCTION
2. RFP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
3. RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
4. GENERAL CONTRACTING INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS
5. EVALUATION & CONTRACT AWARD
ATTACHMENTS:
6.1. Response Statement of Certifications & Assurances
6.2. Technical Response & Evaluation Guide
6.3. Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide
6.4. Reference Questionnaire
6.5. Score Summary Matrix
6.6. Pro Forma Contract

12-18-25 RFP
1. INTRODUCTION
The State of Tennessee, Department of General Services (DGS), Central Procurement Office (CPO),
hereinafter referred to as "the State," issues this Request for Proposals (RFP) to define minimum contract
requirements; solicit responses; detail response requirements; and, outline the State's process for
evaluating responses and selecting a contractor to provide the needed goods or services.
Through this RFP, the State seeks to procure necessary goods or services at the most favorable,
competitive prices and to give ALL qualified respondents an opportunity to do business with the state as
contractors, subcontractors or suppliers.
1.1. Statement of Procurement Purpose
The State is seeking to procure one Managed Service Provider ("MSP") to manage the State's Staff
Augmentation Program and Projects-Based/Deliverables Staffing. Through this RFP, the State intends to
establish a source of supply for all Tennessee State Agencies. The Contractor shall also make this
Contract available to Authorized Users as defined at RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract, Section
E.21.
The Staff Augmentation Program currently includes four categories: Information Technology (IT), Medical,
General Administration, and Language and Communication Assistance Services (collectively, the "Job
Categories"). The Contractor shall be responsible for managing and administering a supplier
management tool and the Contingent Worker engagement process. The State intends to award this
Contract to one MSP, who will manage a Sub-vendor Network to provide and administer the State's
contingent workforce, including, but not limited to, the forecasting and engagement of Contingent Workers
to the completion, roll-off, and final evaluation of any efforts.
The MSP will also be responsible for fulfilling Authorized Users' needs for Projects-Based/Deliverables
Staffing for projects valued at one million dollars ($1,000,000) or less. The MSP will manage Authorized
Users' requests for Projects-Based/Deliverables Staffing and the Sub-Vendor's project quotes for those
requests. The MSP will be responsible for adequately providing support for Projects-Based/Deliverables
Staffing so that each project will be completed to the relevant Authorized User's satisfaction.
The selected MSP shall also provide a Vendor Management System ("VMS"). At the minimum, the VMS
shall be capable of accomplishing the following goals:
* Adding value in the areas of Contingent Worker and Projects-Based/Deliverables Staffing
procurement and utilization.
* Reducing the costs associated with Contingent Worker engagement and management.
* Minimizing the time spent engaging Contingent Workers and ensuring compliance with the State
policies and procedures.
* Developing processes and policies that ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory
requirements.
* Tracking, monitoring, and managing Sub-Vendor performance;
* Obtaining reporting that will help the State with budgeting processes;
* Providing visibility into the State's contingent workforce spend;
* Aligning all job descriptions with associated qualifications and experience levels with the
Tennessee Department of Human Resources' job classifications; and
* Increasing the overall quality and speed of supplemental staff replacement.
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12-18-25 RFP
1.1.1. Current Purchasing Profile and Contract Status
Currently, the State has one contract with one MSP to manage the four Job Categories of the Staff
Augmentation Program. These Job Categories are Information Technology, Medical, General
Administration, and Language & Communication Assistance Services.
The current contract took effect on March 1, 2022, and will expire on February 28, 2027. The first year
primarily served as a transition period; the chart below reflects spend for subsequent full years. Both
State and local government agencies (see RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract, Section E.21 for
clarification on all authorized users) may utilize this contract; however, local spend represents less than
1% of the total. These figures are provided for informational purposes only. The State does not guarantee
that it will purchase any minimum quantity of goods or services under any Contract resulting from this
RFP.
Category 2023 2024 2025 Total
General
Administration $ 20,189,415.14 $ 27,016,960.01 $ 26,807,044.12 $ 74,013,419.27
Information
Technology $ 52,681,782.66 $ 55,752,782.06 $ 59,811,644.31 $ 168,246,209.03
Medical $ 64,527,976.45 $ 71,486,842.50 $ 67,531,214.50 $ 203,546,033.45
Language
&Communication $ 1,831,841.24 $ 1,891,948.79 $ 1,865,547.87 $ 5,589,337.90
Total State
Spending $ 139,231,015.49 $ 156,148,533.36 $ 156,015,450.80 $ 451,394,999.65
1.2. Scope of Service, Contract Period, & Required Terms and Conditions
The RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract details the State's requirements:
Scope of Services and Deliverables (Section A);
Contract Period (Section B);
Payment Terms (Section C);
Mandatory Terms and Conditions (Section D);
Special Terms and Conditions (Section E).
Attachment 1: Attestation
Attachment 2: Current Rate Card
Attachment 3: Draft Task Order; and,
Attachment 4: SOW Template
The Pro Forma Contract substantially represents the contract document that the successful Respondent
must sign.
1.3. Nondiscrimination
No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to
discrimination in the performance of a Contract pursuant to this RFP or in the employment practices of the
Contractor on the grounds of handicap or disability, age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin,
or any other classification protected by federal, Tennessee state constitutional, or statutory law. The
Contractor pursuant to this RFP shall, upon request, show proof of such nondiscrimination and shall post
in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.
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12-18-25 RFP
1.4. RFP Communications
1.4.1. The State has assigned the following RFP identification number that must be referenced in all
communications regarding this RFP:
RFP # 32110-38726
1.4.2. Unauthorized contact about this RFP with employees or officials of the State of Tennessee
except as detailed below may result in disqualification from consideration under this
procurement process.
1.4.2.1. Prospective Respondents must direct communications concerning this RFP to the
following person designated as the Solicitation Coordinator:
Ellen Lipinksi
Department of General Services
Central Procurement Office
3rd Floor WRS, Tennessee Tower
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave.
Nashville, TN 37243-1102
615-741-1174
Ellen.Lipinski@tn.gov
1.4.2.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Prospective Respondents may alternatively contact:
the following individual designated by the State 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 associated
federal regulations:
Helen Crowley
Department of General Services
Central Procurement Office
3rd Floor WRS, Tennessee Tower
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave.
Nashville, TN 37243-1102
615-741-3836
Helen.Crowley@tn.gov
1.4.3. Only the State's official, written responses and communications with Respondents are binding
with regard to this RFP. Oral communications between a State official and one or more
Respondents are unofficial and non-binding.
1.4.4. Potential Respondents must ensure that the State receives all written questions and comments,
including questions and requests for clarification, no later than the Written Questions &
Comments Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.
1.4.5. Respondents must assume the risk of the method of dispatching any communication or response
to the State. The State assumes no responsibility for delays or delivery failures resulting from the
Respondent's method of dispatch. Actual or digital "postmarking" of a communication or
response to the State by a specified deadline is not a substitute for the State's actual receipt of a
communication or response. It is encouraged for Respondents to submit bids digitally.
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12-18-25 RFP
1.4.6. The State will convey all official responses and communications related to this RFP to the
prospective Respondents from whom the State has received a Notice of Intent to Respond (refer
to RFP Section 1.8).
1.4.7. The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the method of conveying official,
written responses and communications related to this RFP. Such written communications may
be transmitted by mail, hand-delivery, facsimile, electronic mail, Internet posting, or any other
means deemed reasonable by the State. For internet posting, please refer to the following
website: https://www.tn.gov/generalservices/procurement/central-procurement-office--cpo-
/supplier-information/request-for-proposals--rfp--opportunities1.html.
1.4.8. The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the appropriateness and
adequacy of responses to written comments, questions, and requests related to this RFP. The
State's official, written responses will constitute an amendment of this RFP.
1.4.9. Any data or factual information provided by the State (in this RFP, an RFP amendment or any
other communication relating to this RFP) is for informational purposes only. The State will make
reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of such data or information, however it is the
Respondent's obligation to independently verify any data or information provided by the State.
The State expressly disclaims the accuracy or adequacy of any information or data that it
provides to prospective Respondents.
1.5. Assistance to Respondents with a Handicap or Disability
Prospective Respondents with a handicap or disability may receive accommodation relating to the
communication of this RFP and participating in the RFP process. Prospective Respondents may contact
the Solicitation Coordinator to request such reasonable accommodation no later than the Disability
Accommodation Request Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.
1.6. Respondent Required Review & Waiver of Objections
1.6.1. Each prospective Respondent must carefully review this RFP, including but not limited to,
attachments, the RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract, and any amendments, for questions,
comments, defects, objections, or any other matter requiring clarification or correction (collectively
called "questions and comments").
1.6.2. Any prospective Respondent having questions and comments concerning this RFP must provide
them in writing to the State no later than the Written Questions & Comments Deadline detailed in
the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.
1.6.3. Protests based on any objection to the RFP shall be considered waived and invalid if the
objection has not been brought to the attention of the State, in writing, by the Written Questions &
Comments Deadline.
1.7. Pre-Response Conference
A Pre-response Conference will be held at the time and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of
Events. Pre-response Conference attendance is not mandatory, and prospective Respondents may be
limited to a maximum number of attendees depending upon overall attendance and space limitations.
The conference will be held at:
Virtually via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, May 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CT.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/224915369804502?p=E3BWz4xpJSmW4feAqY
RFP # 32110-38726

12-18-25 RFP
Meeting ID: 224 915 369 804 502
Passcode: yr3aF2wQ
Dial in by phone
+1 629-209-4396,,158685456# United States, Triune
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 158 685 456#
Join on a video conferencing device
Tenant key: stateoftn@m.webex.com
Video ID: 112 444 072 0
More info
The purpose of the conference is to discuss the RFP scope of goods or services. The State will entertain
questions, however prospective Respondents must understand that the State's oral response to any
question at the Pre-response Conference shall be unofficial and non-binding. Prospective Respondents
must submit all questions, comments, or other concerns regarding the RFP in writing prior to the Written
Questions & Comments Deadline date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. The State will
send the official response to these questions and comments to prospective Respondents from whom the
State has received a Notice of Intent to respond as indicated in RFP Section 1.8 and on the date detailed
in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.
1.8. Notice of Intent to Respond
Before the Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events,
prospective Respondents should submit to the Solicitation Coordinator a Notice of Intent to Respond (in
the form of a simple e-mail or other written communication). Such notice should include the following
information:
the business or individual's name (as appropriate);
a contact person's name and title; and
the contact person's mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address.
A Notice of Intent to Respond creates no obligation and is not a prerequisite for submitting a
response, however, it is necessary to ensure receipt of any RFP amendments or other notices and
communications relating to this RFP.
1.9. Response Deadline
A Respondent must ensure that the State receives a response no later than the Response Deadline time
and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. The State will not accept late responses,
and a Respondent's failure to submit a response before the deadline will result in disqualification of the
response. It is the responsibility of the Respondent to ascertain any additional security requirements with
respect to packaging and delivery to the State of Tennessee. Respondents should be mindful of any
potential delays due to security screening procedures, weather, or other filing delays whether foreseeable
or unforeseeable.
RFP # 32110-38726

12-18-25 RFP
2. RFP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
2.1. The following RFP Schedule of Events represents the State's best estimate for this RFP.
EVENT TIME DATE
(central time zone)
May 12, 2026
1. RFP Issued
May 15, 2026
2. Disability Accommodation Request Deadline 2:00 p.m.
May 19, 2026
3. Pre-response Conference 10:00 AM
May 20, 2026
4. Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline 2:00 p.m.
May 28, 2026
5. Written "Questions & Comments" Deadline
6. State Response to Written "Questions & June 12, 2026
Comments"
June 26, 2026
7. Response Deadline 2:00 p.m.
8. State Completion of Technical Response July 17, 2026
Evaluations
9. State Schedules Respondent Oral Presentation July 20, 2026
10. Respondent Oral Presentation July 27, 2026 - July 31, 2026
August 4, 2026
11. State Opening & Scoring of Cost Proposals
August 6, 2026 - August 11,
12. Cost Negotiations
2026
13. State Notice of Intent to Award Released and August 13, 2026
RFP Files Opened for Public Inspection
August 20, 2026
14. End of Protest Period
August 21, 2026
15. State sends contract to Contractor for signature
August 26, 2026
16. Contractor Signature Deadline
2.2. The State reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to adjust the RFP Schedule of Events as it
deems necessary. Any adjustment of the Schedule of Events shall constitute an RFP amendment, and
RFP # 32110-38726

12-18-25 RFP
the State will communicate such to prospective Respondents from whom the State has received a Notice
of Intent to Respond (refer to section 1.8 ).
RFP # 32110-38726

12-18-25 RFP
3. RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
3.1. Response Form
A response to this RFP must consist of two parts, a Technical Response and a Cost Proposal.
3.1.1. Technical Response. RFP Attachment 6.2., Technical Response & Evaluation Guide provides
the specific requirements for submitting a response. This guide includes mandatory requirement
items, general qualifications and experience items, and technical qualifications, experience, and
approach items all of which must be addressed with a written response and, in some instances,
additional documentation.
NOTICE: A technical response must not include any pricing or cost information.
If any pricing or cost information amounts of any type (even pricing relating to
other projects) is included in any part of the technical response, the state may
deem the response to be non-responsive and reject it.
3.1.1.1. A Respondent should duplicate and use the RFP Attachment 6.2., Technical Response
& Evaluation Guide to organize, reference, and draft the Technical Response by
duplicating the attachment, adding appropriate page numbers as required, and using
the guide as a table of contents covering the Technical Response.
3.1.1.2. A response should be economically prepared, with emphasis on completeness and
clarity. A response, as well as any reference material presented, must be written in
English and must be written on standard 8 12" x 11" pages (although oversize exhibits
are permissible) and use a 12 point font for text. All response pages must be
numbered.
3.1.1.3. All information and documentation included in a Technical Response should
correspond to or address a specific requirement detailed in the RFP Attachment 6.2.,
Technical Response & 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 not contribute to evaluations.
3.1.1.4. The State may determine a response to be non-responsive and reject it if:
a. the Respondent fails to organize and properly reference the Technical Response
as required by this RFP and the RFP Attachment 6.2., Technical Response &
Evaluation Guide; or
b. the Technical Response document does not appropriately respond to, address, or
meet all of the requirements and response items detailed in the RFP Attachment
6.2., Technical Response & Evaluation Guide.
3.1.2. Cost Proposal. A Cost Proposal must be recorded on an exact duplicate of the RFP Attachment
6.3., Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide.
NOTICE: If a Respondent fails to submit a cost proposal exactly as required, the
State may deem the response to be non-responsive and reject it.
3.1.2.1. A Respondent must only record the proposed cost exactly as required by the RFP
Attachment 6.3., Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide and must NOT record any other rates,
amounts, or information.
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12-18-25 RFP
3.1.2.2. The proposed cost shall incorporate ALL costs for services under the contract for the
total contract period, including any renewals or extensions.
3.1.2.3. A Respondent must sign and date the Cost Proposal.
3.1.2.4. A Respondent must submit the Cost Proposal to the State on a separate e-mail, CD, or
USB flash drive from the Technical Response (as detailed in RFP Sections 3.2.3., et.
seq).
3.2. Response Delivery
3.2.1. A Respondent must ensure that both the Technical Response and Cost Proposal files meet all
form and content requirements, including all required signatures, as detailed within this RFP.
3.2.2. A Respondent must submit their response as specified in one of the two formats below.
3.2.2.1. Digital Media Submission
3.2.2.1.1. Technical Response
The Technical Response document should be in the form of one (1) digital
document in "PDF" format properly recorded on its own otherwise blank USB
flash drive and should be clearly identified as the:
"RFP #32110-38726 TECHNICAL RESPONSE ORIGINAL"
and Three (3) digital copies of the Technical Response each in the form of one
(1) digital document in "PDF" format properly recorded on its own otherwise
blank USB flash drive clearly labeled:
"RFP # 32110-38726 TECHNICAL RESPONSE COPY"
The customer references should be delivered by each reference in accordance
with RFP Attachment 6.4. Reference Questionnaire.
3.2.2.1.2. Cost Proposal:
The Cost Proposal should be in the form of one (1) digital document in "PDF"
or "XLS" format properly recorded on a separate, otherwise blank USB flash
drive clearly labeled:
"RFP #32110-38726 COST PROPOSAL"
An electronic or facsimile signature, as applicable, on the Cost Proposal is
acceptable.
3.2.2.2. E-mail Submission
3.2.2.2.1. Technical Response
The Technical Response document should be in the form of one (1) digital
document in "PDF" format or other easily accessible digital format attached to
an e-mail to the Solicitation Coordinator. Both the subject and file name should
be clearly identified as follows:
"RFP #32110-38726 TECHNICAL RESPONSE"
RFP # 32110-38726