The Provision of Engineering Transcript Evaluations for the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners

Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
For the provision of engineering transcript evaluations for
the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering
Examiners
Response Due Date: June 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time
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Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
Procurement Purpose
The State of Tennessee, Department of Commerce and Insurance, Board of
Architectural and Engineering Examiners (hereinafter referred to as the "Board"), has
issued this Informal Solicitation with the intent to award one (1) contract for the provision
of engineering transcript evaluation services.
The purpose of this procurement is to secure professional services to evaluate
engineering academic transcripts and provide written evaluation reports to the Board.
For purposes of this Informal Solicitation, a "Respondent" is defined as any individual or
legal entity that submits a response.
The estimated maximum liability for the resulting five-year contract is anticipated to be
between $5,000.00. and $25,000.00.
Communications
Respondents must direct all communications concerning this Informal Solicitation to the
following person designated as the Solicitation Coordinator:
Chad Butler, Associate General Counsel
Department of Commerce and Insurance
Office of Legal Counsel
Davy Crockett Tower, 12th Floor
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 253-4790
ci.procurement@tn.gov
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Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
Informal Solicitation Schedule of Events
Event Event Description Time (Central Date (all dates are
Time Zone) State business
days)
1. Informal Solicitation Released May 19, 2026
2. Written "Questions & Comments" 2:00 p.m. May 26, 2026
Deadline
3. State Response to Written "Questions & June 2, 2026
Comments"
4. Informal Solicitation Response Deadline 2:00 p.m. June 12, 2026
5. State Completion of Technical Response June 23, 2026
Evaluations
6. Notice of Intent to Award June 24, 2026
7. Start of Open File Period 8:00 a.m. June 25, 2026
8. End of Open File Period July 2, 2026
4:30 p.m.
9. State Sends Contract to Contractor for July 6, 2026
Signature
10. Contractor Signature Deadline July 10, 2026
11. Proposed Contract Start Date January 1, 2027
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Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
Informal Solicitation Response Procedures
Responses to this Informal Solicitation must be completed and submitted via email to
Chad Butler at ci.procurement@tn.gov by June 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time.
Paper copies of a response will not be accepted.
Steps to submitting a response:
1. Address all Informal Solicitation components in sequential order (i.e., Technical
Response and Evaluation Guide, Request for Quotes).
2. Clearly label the response to the Technical Response and Evaluation Guide, as
follows: "Informal Solicitation #33501-267201 - Technical Response and
Evaluation Guide".
3. Clearly label the response to the Request for Quotes, as follows: "Informal
Solicitation #33501-267201 - Request for Quotes".
4. Submit the entire Informal Solicitation response in one (1) PDF labeled:
"[Respondent Legal Entity Name] Informal Solicitation #33501-267201".
5. Email the PDF to the Solicitation Coordinator by the response deadline.
Informal Solicitation Response Components
The Respondent must address all Informal Solicitation components and provide, in
sequence, the required information and documentation. The Informal Solicitation
components include: the Technical Response and Evaluation Guide (Attachment A) and
the Request for Quotes (Attachment B). The Solicitation Coordinator will review the
response to determine if the Respondent has fully responded to all Informal Solicitation
components and requirements.
Informal Solicitation Response Evaluation
The evaluation process is designed to award the contract resulting from this Informal
Solicitation not necessarily to the Respondent offering the lowest cost, but rather to the
Respondent that offers the best combination of attributes based upon the evaluation
criteria that is deemed by the State to be responsive and responsible. ("Responsive
Respondent" is defined as a Respondent that has submitted a response that conforms
in all material respects to the Informal Solicitation. "Responsible Respondent" is defined
as a Respondent that has the capacity in all respects to perform fully the contract
requirements, and the integrity and reliability which will assure good faith performance.)
A review committee consisting of three (3) State employees will independently evaluate
Informal Solicitation responses that are complete and meet all minimum requirements.
The Solicitation Coordinator will review Section A.1. to confirm that all Mandatory
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Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
Requirement Items are properly addressed. The committee will then independently
score Sections A.2. and A.3. of the Technical Response and Evaluation Guide
(Attachment A). This guide includes three (3) sections:
* Section A.1.: Mandatory Requirement Items
* Section A.2.: General Qualifications and Experience Items
* Section A.3.: Technical Qualifications, Experience, and Approach Items
Each section is evaluated according to the scoring rubric provided below.
Evaluation Category Maximum Points Possible
Mandatory Requirement Items (refer to
Informal Solicitation Attachment A.1.) Pass/Fail
General Qualifications and Experience
Items (refer to Informal Solicitation 30
Attachment A.2.)
Technical Qualifications, Experience,
and Approach Items (refer to Informal 70
Solicitation Attachment A.3.)
The three (3) reviewers' scores will be averaged to determine the Respondent's final,
overall score. The reviewers will then independently evaluate the Respondent's overall
score in conjunction with the Respondent's response to the Request for Quotes
(Attachment B). The Respondents deemed by the State to be responsive and
responsible with the highest average scores and lowest quotes for service will be
awarded the contract attached hereto as Attachment C.
This Informal Solicitation by the State does not create rights, interests, or claims of
entitlement in any Respondent. The State reserves the right to reject any response. All
contract award decisions are final. All contracts are subject to the availability of funds
and approval by State offices.
All materials submitted in response to this Solicitation become the property of the State
of Tennessee. Selection for award does not affect this right. After evaluations are
complete, all submitted materials will be open for review by the public. By submitting a
response, a Respondent acknowledges and accepts that all submitted contents and
documents will be open for review by the public.
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Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
Attachment A:
Technical Response and Evaluation Guide
A.1. - Mandatory Requirement Items
The Respondent must address all Scored Items detailed below and provide, in
sequence, the information and documentation as required. The Respondent must
clearly label each response with the corresponding Item Number. The Solicitation
Coordinator will review the responses to determine if the Mandatory Requirement Items
are addressed as required and mark each item as pass or fail.
Respondent Name:
Item Number Scored Items Pass/Fail
Provide a statement, based upon reasonable inquiry, of whether the
Respondent or any individual who shall cause to deliver goods or
perform services under the contract has a possible conflict of
interest (e.g., employment by the State of Tennessee) and, if so, the
1. nature of that conflict.
NOTE: Any questions of conflict of interest shall be solely within the
discretion of the State, and the State reserves the right to cancel
any award.
Provide a current bank reference indicating that the Respondent
2. maintains a satisfactory business relationship with the financial
institution. Such reference must be written in the form of a standard
business letter, signed, and dated within the past three (3) months.
Provide proof confirming that the individual responsible for
evaluating transcripts and preparing written evaluation reports for
3. the Board holds a PhD in Engineering Science and possesses a
minimum of ten (10) years of post-doctoral professional experience.
State Use -
Solicitation Coordinator Signature, Printed Name, & Date:
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Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
A.2. - General Qualifications and Experience Items
The Respondent must address all Scored Items detailed below and provide, in
sequence, the information and documentation as required. The Respondent must
clearly label each response with the corresponding Item Number. The members of the
review committee will independently evaluate and assign one score for all responses.
Item Scored Items
Number
Detail the name, e-mail address, mailing address, telephone number, and facsimile
number, if applicable, of the person the State should contact regarding the response.
1.
Describe the Respondent's form of business (i.e., individual, sole proprietor,
corporation, non-profit corporation, partnership, limited liability company) and business
2.
location (physical location or domicile).
Detail the number of years the Respondent has been in business.
3.
Briefly describe how long the Respondent has been providing the goods or services
required by this Solicitation.
4.
Describe the Respondent's number of employees, client base, and location of offices.
5.
Provide a statement of whether there have been any mergers, acquisitions, or change
of control of the Respondent within the last ten (10) years. If so, include an
6.
explanation providing relevant details.
Provide a statement of whether the Respondent or, to the Respondent's knowledge,
any of the Respondent's employees, agents, independent contractors, or
7.
subcontractors, involved in the delivery of goods or performance of services on a
contract pursuant to this Solicitation, have been convicted of, pled guilty to, or pled
nolo contendere to any felony. If so, include an explanation providing relevant details.
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Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
Provide a statement of whether, in the last ten (10) years, the Respondent has filed (or
had filed against it) any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, whether voluntary or
8.
involuntary, or undergone the appointment of a receiver, trustee, or assignee for the
benefit of creditors. If so, include an explanation providing relevant details.
Provide a statement of whether there is any material, pending litigation against the
Respondent that the Respondent should reasonably believe could adversely affect its
9.
ability to meet contract requirements pursuant to this Solicitation or is likely to have a
material adverse effect on the Respondent's financial condition. If such exists, list
each separately, explain the relevant details, and attach the opinion of counsel
addressing whether and to what extent it would impair the Respondent's performance
in a contract pursuant to this Solicitation.
NOTE: All persons, agencies, firms, or other entities that provide legal opinions
regarding the Respondent must be properly licensed to render such opinions. The
State may require the Respondent to submit proof of license for each person or entity
that renders such opinions.
Provide a statement of whether there are any pending or in progress Securities
Exchange Commission investigations involving the Respondent. If such exists, list
10.
each separately, explain the relevant details, and attach the opinion of counsel
addressing whether and to what extent it will impair the Respondent's performance in a
contract pursuant to this Solicitation.
NOTE: All persons, agencies, firms, or other entities that provide legal opinions
regarding the Respondent must be properly licensed to render such opinions. The
State may require the Respondent to submit proof of license for each person or entity
that renders such opinions.
Provide a brief, descriptive statement detailing evidence of the Respondent's ability to
deliver the goods or services sought under this Solicitation (e.g., prior experience,
11.
training, certifications, resources, etc.).
Provide a narrative description of the proposed project team, its members, and
organizational structure to include an organizational chart identifying the key people
12.
who will be assigned to deliver the goods or services required by this Solicitation.
Provide a personnel roster listing the names of key people who the Respondent will
assign to meet the Respondent's requirements under this Solicitation along with the
13.
estimated number of hours that each individual will devote to that performance. Follow
the personnel roster with a resume for each of the people listed. The resumes must
detail the individual's title, education, current position with the Respondent, and
employment history.
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Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
Provide a statement of whether the Respondent intends to use subcontractors to meet
the Respondent's requirements of any contract awarded pursuant to this Solicitation,
14.
and if so, detail:
a) the names of the subcontractors along with the contact person, mailing
address, telephone number, and e-mail address for each;
b) a description of the scope and portions of the goods each subcontractor
involved in the delivery of goods or performance of the services each
subcontractor will perform; and
c) a statement specifying that each proposed subcontractor has expressly
assented to being proposed as a subcontractor in the Respondent's response
to this Solicitation.
Provide a statement of whether or not the Respondent has any current contracts with
the State of Tennessee or has completed any contracts with the State of Tennessee
15.
within the previous five (5) year period. If so, provide the following information for all of
the current and completed contracts:
a) the name, title, telephone number and e-mail address of the State contact
knowledgeable about the contract;
b) the procuring State agency name;
c) a brief description of the contract's scope of services;
d) the contract period; and
e) the contract number.
Provide a statement and any relevant details addressing whether the Respondent is
any of the following:
16.
a) is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or voluntarily
excluded from covered transactions by any federal or state department or
agency;
b) has within the past three (3) years, been convicted of, or had a civil judgment
rendered against the contracting party 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) is presently indicted or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government
entity (federal, state, or local) with commission of any of the offenses detailed
above; and
d) has within a three (3) year period preceding the contract had one or more
public transactions (federal, state, or local) terminated for cause or default.
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Informal Solicitation # 33501-267201
State Use -
Score (for all Section A.2. General Qualifications and Experience Items above;
maximum possible score is 30) =
Evaluator Identification:
Notes/Comments:
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