12.18.25 RFQ
STATE OF TENNESSEE
CENTRAL PROCUREMENT OFFICE
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
FOR
TENNESSEE STATE PARKS EXHIBIT IMPROVEMENTS
RFQ # 32701-26-152
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTIONS:
1. Introduction
2. RFQ Schedule of Events
3. Response Requirements
4. General Information & Requirements
5. Procurement Process & Contract Award
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Technical Response & Evaluation Guide – Mandatory Requirement Items
B. Technical Response & Evaluation Guide – General Qualifications &
Experience Items
C. Technical Response & Evaluation Guide – Technical Qualifications,
Experience & Approach Items
D. Statement of Certifications & Assurances
E. Reference Questionnaire
F. Pro Forma Contract
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12-18-25 RFQ
1.
INTRODUCTION
The State of Tennessee, Central Procurement Office, hereinafter referred to as “the State,”
issues this Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) to define mandatory goods or services
requirements; solicit responses; detail response requirements; and outline the State’s process for
evaluating responses.
Through this RFQ or any subsequent solicitation, the State seeks to buy the requested goods or
services and to give ALL qualified respondents, including those that are owned by minorities,
women, service-disabled veterans, persons with disabilities, and small business enterprises, the
opportunity to do business with the State as contractors or subcontractors.
1.1. Statement of Procurement Purpose
The State is seeking to contract with qualified vendors to design, fabricate, and install updated
interpretive exhibits at Tennessee State Parks. The State is working to modernize, standardize,
and improve the accessibility of Non-personal Interpretation throughout all parks. The State’s goal
is to be the most accessible park system in the nation by 2030 and updating current exhibits to
create new Interpretive experiences would further accessibility for all visitors.
The State intends to award five-year contracts with up to three vendors. When the State is ready
to move forward with an exhibit project, the State will issue a statement of work to the contracted
vendors who will respond with a quote for the project. The State will evaluate the submissions
and award the statement of work to the contracted vendor with the lowest cost that meets all
project requirements.
The estimated budget for the projects over five years is $5 million.
1.2. Pre-Response Conference
A Pre-Response Conference will be held at the time and date detailed in the RFQ Schedule of
Events, RFQ § 2. Pre-Response Conference attendance is not mandatory, and potential
Respondents may be limited to a maximum number of attendees depending upon overall
attendance and space limitations. Please contact the Solicitation Coordinator to RSVP for the
Pre-Response Conference. The Conference will be held virtually.
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RFQ #32701-26-152
2
12-18-25 RFQ
1.3. Notice of Intent to Respond
Before the Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline detailed in RFQ § 2, Schedule of Events,
potential 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, the contact person’s mailing address, telephone number, facsimile, number, and e-mail
address. Filing a Notice of Intent to Respond is not a prerequisite for submitting a response;
however, it is necessary to ensure receipt of notices and communications relating to this RFQ.
1.4. Definitions and Abbreviations
TERM
Universal Accessibility
Interpretive/Interpretation
Non-personal Interpretation
DEFINITION
People of all abilities and backgrounds will be
able to access information; National Park
Service guidelines apply and can be found
here: nps.gov/features/hfc/guidelines/
The act of presenting
cultural/historical/nature-based programming
to an audience of varying ages.
The act of helping the visitor connect with the
site and its stories through interpretive panels
and exhibits
2.
RFQ SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The following schedule represents the State’s best estimates for this RFQ; however, the State
reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to adjust the schedule at any time, or cancel and reissue
a similar solicitation. Nothing in this RFQ is intended by the State to create any property rights or
expectations of a property right in any Respondent.
EVENT
TIME
DATE
(Central (all dates are State
Time business days)
Zone)
1. RFQ Issued
February 23, 2026
2. Disability Accommodation Request Deadline 2:00 p.m. February 26, 2026
3. Pre-Response Conference
10:00 a.m. February 27, 2026
4. Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline
2:00 p.m. March 2, 2026
5. Written “Questions & Comments” Deadline 2:00 p.m. March 5, 2026
6.
State response to written “Questions &
Comments”
March 25, 2026
7. RFQ Response Deadline
2:00 p.m. April 1, 2026
8.
State Notice of Intent to Award Released and
RFQ Files Opened for Public Inspection
April 15, 2026
9. End of Protest Period
April 22, 2026
10.
State sends contract to Contractor for
signature
April 23, 2026
11. Contractor Signature Deadline
2:00 p.m. April 28, 2026
RFQ #32701-26-152
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12-18-25 RFQ
3.
RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
3.1. Response Contents: A response to this RFQ should address the following:
3.1.1.
Mandatory Requirements: This section details the mandatory technical, functional, and
experience requirements that must be demonstrated in the response to this RFQ in order
to be passed on to Phase II of the Technical Response evaluation. A Respondent should
duplicate and use RFQ Attachment A as a guide to organize responses for the
Mandatory Requirements of the RFQ response. The Respondent should reference the
page location of the information within the response in the indicated column of the table.
This section is included in the State’s evaluation as to whether or not a Respondent
meets mandatory qualifications (Phase I).
3.1.2.
General Qualifications & Experience: This section is included in the State’s evaluation of
Phase II of the Technical Response Evaluation and details general information and
qualifications that must be demonstrated in the response to this RFQ. A Respondent
should duplicate and use RFQ Attachment B as a guide to organize responses for this
portion of the RFQ response. The Respondent should reference the page location of the
information within the response in the indicated column of the table.
3.1.3.
Technical Qualifications, Experience & Approach: This section is also included in the
State’s evaluation of Phase II of the Technical Response Evaluation and details technical
qualifications, experience, and approach items that must be demonstrated in the
response to this RFQ. A Respondent should duplicate and use RFQ Attachment C as a
guide to organize responses for this portion of the RFQ response. The Respondent
should reference the page location of the information within the response in the indicated
column of the table.
3.2. Response Delivery Location
A Respondent must ensure that the State receives a Response to this RFQ no later than the
Response Deadline time and dates detailed in the RFQ § 2, Schedule of Events. All responses
must be delivered to:
Sydney Loomans
Central Procurement Office
Tennessee Tower, 3rd floor
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave
Nashville, TN 37243
615-253-7266
Sydney.Loomans@tn.gov
3.3. Response Format
3.3.1. A Respondent must ensure that the original response meets all form and content
requirements detailed within this RFQ.
3.3.2. A Respondent must submit their response as specified in one of the two formats below.
3.3.2.1. Technical Response
One (1) original Technical Response in the form of one (1) digital document in “PDF”
format properly recorded on its own otherwise blank USB flash drive clearly labeled:
“RFQ #32701-26-152 TECHNICAL RESPONSE ORIGINAL”
RFQ #32701-26-152
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12-18-25 RFQ
and five (5) 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 labeled:
“RFQ #32701-26-152 TECHNICAL RESPONSE COPY”
If not emailed, then the sealed customer references will be the only paper
documents.
3.3.3. A Respondent must separate, seal, package, and label the documents and copies for
delivery as follows:
3.3.3.1. The Technical Response and copies must be placed in a sealed package that is
clearly labeled:
“DO NOT OPEN… RFQ # 32701-26-152 TECHNICAL RESPONSE FROM
[RESPONDENT LEGAL ENTITY NAME]”
3.3.3.2. The separately, sealed Technical Response components may be enclosed in a larger
package for mailing or delivery, provided that the outermost package is clearly
labeled:
“RFQ # 32701-26-152 SEALED RESPONSE FROM [RESPONDENT LEGAL
ENTITY NAME]”
3.3.3.3. Any Respondent wishing to submit a Response in a format other than digital may do
so by contacting the Solicitation Coordinator.
3.3.4. Email Submission:
3.3.4.1. Technical Response:
The Technical Response document should be in the form of one (1) digital
documents 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 # 32701-26-152 TECHNICAL RESPONSE”
The customer references should be delivered by each reference in accordance with
RFQ Attachment E. Reference Questionnaire.
3.3.5. For e-mail submissions, the Technical Response and Cost Proposal documents must be
dispatched to the Solicitation Coordinator in separate e-mail messages.
3.3.6. A Respondent must ensure that the State receives a response no later than the Response
Deadline time and date detailed in the RFQ Section 2, Schedule of Events at the following
address:
Sydney Loomans
Central Procurement Office
Tennessee Tower, 3rd floor
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave
Nashville, TN 37243
615-253-7266
Sydney.Loomans@tn.gov
RFQ #32701-26-152
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.