Uniforms for Knox County School Nutrition

1.11 DELIVERY: Knox County requires that vendors deliver all products "free on board" destination. There will be no
hidden charges.
1.12 DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE: Vendors, if bidding other than specified, must clearly identify the manufacturer and
the specifications, to which they are submitting. Vendors must also provide descriptive literature with their bid.
1.13 ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF BIDS: Knox County's Procurement Division will accept, and strongly encourages,
electronically transmitted bids through the County's Online Procurement System. Facsimile and email submissions are
strictly prohibited. Knox County shall not be responsible for technical difficulties experienced by vendors trying to
submit their bid electronically less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to bid opening time.
1.14 HOW TO DO BUSINESS: Knox County utilizes a web-based Procurement software system, "KnoxBuys." The system
provides our clients (vendors, county departments and the citizens of Knox County) with a more enhanced and end-
user friendly means of accessing our services. The system allows for online vendor registration and maintenance,
electronic receipt of purchase orders, online retrieval and submittal of quotes, bids and proposals for our vendor-
clients and online requisitioning and receiving for our county departments. In order for the County to maximize its
investment and minimize the cost associated with office operations we need your help. When doing business with
Knox County please go to our website at www.knoxcounty.org/procurement, register as a vendor in our online
Procurement system, "KnoxBuys," if you have not done so and whenever possible to conduct your business with
the County through this site. If you have any questions, please contact the Procurement Division Representative
listed in Section 1.1 of this document.
1.15 INCURRED COSTS: Knox County will not be responsible for any costs incurred by the bidder in the preparation of their
bid.
1.16 MULTIPLE BIDS: Knox County will consider multiple bids that meet specifications.
1.17 NEW MATERIAL: Unless specified otherwise in the bid package, Contractor(s) must provide new supplies. New,
as used in this clause, means previously unused materials. Material includes but is not limited to raw material, parts,
items, components and end products. Bidder submission of anything other than new materials may be cause for
the rejection of the bid.
1.18 NON-COLLUSION: Bidders, by submitting a signed bid, certify that the accompanying bid is not the result of, or affected
by, any unlawful act of collusion with any other person or company engaged in the same line of business or
commerce, or any other fraudulent act punishable under Tennessee or United States law.
1.19 PAYMENT METHOD: Knox County utilizes two (2) methods of placing order for products and/or services. The first
is the use of Purchase Orders. These Purchase Orders will be issued from the Knox County Procurement Division
via the method selected by the vendor during registration. The Purchase Order will detail the quantity, specific
item(s) and the contracted price for each item.
The second method is the use of the Knox County Credit Card (Visa). Orders placed with the card will list the same
information as the Purchase Order. Vendors will be given card information and approval to process the transaction
by the requesting department. Vendors must indicate in their bid response if the vendor will accept Knox County's
Credit Card (VISA) as a form of payment. Bidders are prohibited from charging Knox County any type of merchant
fee from their financial institution to accept this type of payment.
1.20 POSSESSION OF WEAPONS: All vendors and their employees and their agents are prohibited from possessing
any weapons on Knox County property without prior written consent from the County. In the case of a vendor whose
Contract requires possession of firearms or other weapons to successfully complete their Contract, vendor must
provide personnel who are bonded to bear said weaponry.
1.21 PROCESSING TIME FOR PAYMENT: Vendors are advised that a minimum of thirty (30) days is required to process
invoices for payment.
1.22 PROOF OF FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CAPABILITY: Vendors must, upon request, furnish satisfactory evidence of
their ability to furnish products or services in accordance with the terms and conditions of these specifications. Knox
County will make the final determination as to the vendor's ability.
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1.23 RECYCLING: Knox County, in its continuing efforts to lessen the amount of landfill waste and to further recycling
efforts, request that bids being submitted on paper shall:
* Be submitted on recycled paper.
* Not include pages of unnecessary advertising.
1.24 RESTRICTIVE OR AMBIGUOUS SPECIFICATIONS: It is the responsibility of the prospective bidder to review the
entire Invitation for Bid packet and to notify the Procurement Division if the specifications are formulated in a manner
that would unnecessarily restrict competition. Any such protest or questions regarding the specifications or bidding
procedures must be received in the Procurement Division by 4:30 P.M. Local Time on July 31, 2026. These
requirements also apply to specifications that are ambiguous.
1.25 SIGNING OF BIDS: In order to be considered, all bids must be signed. Please sign the original in blue ink. By
signing the bid document, the vendor acknowledges and accepts the terms and conditions stated in the bid
document. When submitting electronically, the submission of the bid constitutes the acceptance of all terms and
conditions and will legally bind the vendor to the County's request for goods/services and the vendor's subsequent
response.
1.26 TAXES: Knox County purchases are not subject to taxation. Tax exemption certificates will be provided upon request.
1.27 TITLE VI OF THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT: "Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs"-"No person in
the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial
assistance." 42 U.S.C. Section 2000 et seq. It is the policy of Knox County Government that all its services and
activities be administered in conformance with the requirements of Title VI.
1.28 UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES: During periods of closure due to unforeseen circumstances in Knox County
or closures at the direction of the Knox County Mayor, the Procurement Division will enact the following procedures
in regard to solicitations and closures:
* If the Mayor closes the administrative offices prior to the time set for solicitation opening of any business day, all
solicitations due that same day will be moved to the next operational business day.
* Other unforeseen circumstances shall be at the sole discretion of the Procurement Director.
* Knox County shall not be liable for any commercial carrier's decision regarding deliveries during any unforeseen
circumstances.
1.29 USE OF BID FORMS: Vendors must complete the bid forms contained in the bid package. Failure to complete the bid
forms may result in bid rejection.
1.30 VENDOR DEFAULT: Knox County reserves the right, in case of vendor default, to procure the articles or services
from other sources and hold the defaulting vendor responsible for any excess costs occasioned thereby. Should
vendor default be due to a failure to perform or because of a request for a price increase, Knox County reserves
the right to remove the vendor from the County's bidder's list for twenty-four (24) months.
1.31 VENDOR REGISTRATION: Prior to the opening of this bid, ALL BIDDERS must be registered with the Procurement
Division. A vendor application may be submitted online at www.knoxcounty.org/procurement. Select the Online
Vendor Registration link and complete the forms. Vendors must be registered with the Procurement Division prior
to submitting their bid. Knox County shall not be responsible for technical difficulties experienced by vendors trying
to register or submit their bid less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the bid opening time.
1.32 WAIVING OF INFORMALITIES: Knox County reserves the right to waive minor informalities or technicalities when
it is in the best interest of Knox County.
SECTION II OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
These terms and conditions shall be part of the Contract. Knox County reserves the right to negotiate other terms
and conditions it deems appropriate and necessary under the circumstances to protect the public's trust.
2.1 ALTERATIONS OR AMENDMENTS: No alterations, amendments, changes, modifications or additions to this Contract
shall be binding on Knox County without the prior written approval of the County.
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2.2 APPROPRIATION: In the event no funds are appropriated by Knox County for the goods or services in any fiscal
year, or insufficient funds exist to purchase the goods or services, then the Contract shall expire upon the expenditure
of previously appropriated funds or the end of the current fiscal year, whichever occurs first, with no further
obligations owed to or by either party.
2.3 ASSIGNMENT: Contractor shall not assign or subcontract this agreement, its obligations or rights hereunder to
any party, company, partnership, incorporation or person without the prior written specific consent of Knox County.
2.4 BOOKS AND RECORDS: Contractor shall maintain all books, documents, accounting records and other evidence
pertaining to the goods and services provided under this Contract and make such materials available at its offices
at all reasonable times during the Contract period and for five (5) years from the date of the final payment under
this agreement for inspection by County or by any other governmental entity or agency participating in the funding
of this agreement, or any authorized agents thereof; copies of said records to be furnished if requested. Such
records shall not include those books, documents and accounting records that represent the Contractor's costs of
manufacturing, acquiring or delivering the products and services governed by this agreement.
2.5 CHILD LABOR: Contractor agrees that no products or services will be provided or performed under this Contract
that have been manufactured or assembled by child labor.
2.6 COMPLIANCE WITH ALL LAWS: Contractor is assumed to be familiar with and agrees to observe and comply
with all Federal, State and local laws, statutes, ordinances and regulations in any manner affecting the provision
of goods and/or services, and all instructions and prohibitive orders issued regarding this work and shall obtain all
necessary permits.
2.7 DEFAULT: If Contractor fails to perform or comply with any provision of this Contract or the terms or conditions of
any documents referenced and made a part hereof, Knox County may terminate this Contract, in whole or in part,
and may consider such failure or noncompliance a breach of Contract. Knox County expressly retains all its rights
and remedies provided by law in case of such breach and no action by Knox County shall constitute a waiver of
any such rights or remedies. In the event of termination for default, Knox County reserves the right to purchase its
requirements elsewhere, with or without competitive bidding.
2.8 GOVERNING LAW; VENUE: This agreement shall be exclusively construed, governed and controlled by the Laws
of the State of Tennessee without regard to principles of law, including conflicts of law, of any other jurisdiction,
territory, country and/or province. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this agreement shall exclusively be brought
in the Chancery Court or the Circuit Court of Knox County, Tennessee. Each party consents to personal jurisdiction
thereto and waives any defenses based on personal jurisdiction, venue and inconvenient forum.
2.9 INCORPORATION: All specifications, drawings, technical information, Invitation for Bid, Bid, Award and similar
items referred to or attached or which are the basis for this Contract are deemed incorporated by reference as if set
out fully herein.
2.10 INDEMNIFICATION-HOLD HARMLESS: Contractor shall indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless Knox
County, its officers, agents and employees from all suits, claims, actions or damages of any nature brought because
of, arising out of, or due to breach of the agreement by Contractor, its subcontractors, suppliers, agents or
employees or due to any negligent act or occurrence or any omission or commission of Contractor, its
subcontractors, suppliers, agents or employees.
2.11 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR: Contractor shall acknowledge that it and its employees serve as independent
contractors and that Knox County shall not be responsible for any payment, insurance or incurred liability.
2.12 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE: Warranty periods shall not commence until Knox County inspects and formally
accepts the goods and/or services. The terms, conditions and timing of acceptance shall be determined by Knox
County. Knox County reserves the right to reject any or all items or services not in conformance with applicable
specifications, and Contractor assumes the costs associated with such nonconformance.
Acceptance of goods or services does not constitute a waiver of latent or hidden defects or defects not readily
detectable by a reasonable person under the circumstances.
2.13 IRAN DIVESTMENT ACT: By submission of this bid, each bidder and each person signing on behalf of any bidder
certifies, and in the case of a joint bid each party thereto certifies as to its own organization, under penalty of perjury,
that to the best of its knowledge and belief that each bidder is not on the list created pursuant to Tennessee Code
Annotated 12-12-106.
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2.14 LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: In no event shall Knox County be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential,
special or exemplary damages or lost profits, even if Knox County has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
2.15 NO BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL: Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 12, Chapter 4, Part 1, by submission of a
response to this solicitation, each proposer and each person signing on behalf of any proposer certifies, and in the
case of a joint response each party thereto certifies as to its own organization, under penalty of perjury, that to the
best of its knowledge and belief that each proposer is not currently engaged in, and will not for the duration of the
contract engage in, a boycott of Israel.
2.16 NON-DISCRIMINATION AND NON-CONFLICT STATEMENT: Contractor agrees that no person on the grounds
of handicap, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin or any individual trait or characteristic found to be an
illegal consideration shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to
discrimination in the performance of this agreement or in the employment practices of Vendor. Contractor shall
upon request show proof of such non-discrimination and shall post in conspicuous places available to all employees
and applicants notices of non-discrimination. Contractor covenants that it complies with the Fair Wage and Hour
Laws, the National Labor Relations Act and other federal and state employment laws as applicable. Contractor
covenants that it does not engage in any illegal employment practices. Contractor covenants that it has no public
or private interest and shall not acquire directly or indirectly any interest, which would conflict in any manner with
the provision of its goods or performance of its services. Contractor warrants that no part of the total contract amount
provided herein shall be paid directly or indirectly to any officer or employee of Knox County as wages,
compensation or gifts in exchange for acting as officer, agent, employee, subcontractor or consultant to Contractor
in connection with any goods provided or work contemplated or performed relative to the agreement.
2.17 ORDER OF PRECEDENCE: In the event of inconsistent or conflicting provision of this Contract and referenced
documents, the following descending order of precedence shall prevail: (1) Item Description, (2) Invitation for Bid,
(3) Bid, (4) Award, (5) Special Terms and Conditions, (6) General Terms and Conditions, (7) Specifications, (8)
Drawings.
2.18 REMEDIES: Knox County shall have all rights and remedies afforded under the U.C.C. and Tennessee law in
Contract and in tort, including but not limited to rejection of goods, rescission and right of set-off, refund, incidental,
consequential and compensatory damages and reasonable attorney's fees.
2.19 RIGHT TO INSPECT: Knox County reserves the right to make periodic inspections of the manner and means the
service is performed or the goods are supplied and warehoused.
2.20 SEVERABILITY: If any provision of this Contract is declared illegal, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall
not be affected but shall remain in force and in effect.
2.21 TAX COMPLIANCE: Pursuant to Resolution R-07-1-903 passed by the Commission of Knox County, Tennessee,
Contractor hereby acknowledges, by submission of its bid or proposal and signature, it is current in its respective
Federal, State, County and City taxes of whatever kind or nature, and is not delinquent in any way. Delinquent
status must be disclosed or risk debarment by the Knox County Procurement Division.
2.22 TENNESSEE PROCUREMENT PROTECTION ACT (T.C.A. TITLE 4, CHAPTER 56, AS AMENDED BY PUBLIC
CHAPTER 768, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026): By submission of this bid or proposal, each bidder/proposer and each
person signing on behalf of any bidder/proposer certifies, and in the case of a joint bid or proposal each party
thereto certifies as to its own organization, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief the
bidder/proposer is not a "foreign adversary company" as defined in the Tennessee Procurement Protection Act,
Tennessee Code Annotated Title 4, Chapter 56, as amended by Public Chapter 768 (effective July 1, 2026), and
is in compliance with the requirements of said Act.
2.23 TERMINATION OF CONTRACT: (Termination for Convenience:) Knox County may terminate this Contract without
cause for any reason. Said termination shall not be deemed a Breach of Contract by Knox County. Knox County
Procurement shall give the vendor sixty (60) days' written notice before the effective termination date. The vendor
shall be entitled to receive compensation for authorized service completed as of the termination date, but in no
event shall Knox County be liable to the vendor for compensation for any service which has not been rendered.
Upon such termination, the vendor shall have no right to any actual general, special, incidental, consequential, or
any other damage whatsoever of any description or amount.
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(Termination for Cause:) If the vendor fails to properly perform its obligations under this contract in a timely or proper
manner, or if the vendor violates any terms of this contract, Knox County shall have the right to terminate the
contract and withhold payments in excess of fair compensation for completed services.
A. Knox County Procurement will provide notification of termination for cause in writing. This notice will (1)
specify in reasonable detail the nature of the breach; (2) provide the vendor with an opportunity to cure,
which must be requested in writing no less than ten (10) days from the date of the Termination Notice, and
(3) shall specify the effective date of the termination in the event the vendor fails to correct the breach. The
vendor must present Knox County Procurement with a written request detailing the efforts it will take to
resolve the problem and the time period for such resolution. This opportunity to "cure" shall not apply to
circumstances in which the vendor intentionally withholds its services or otherwise refuses to perform. Knox
County will not consider a request to cure Contract performance where there have been repeated problems
with respect to identical or similar issues, or if a cure period would cause a delay that would impair the
effectiveness of the participating school's operation. In circumstances where an opportunity to cure is not
available termination will be effective immediately.
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing the vendor shall not be relieved of liability to the participating schools for
damages sustained by virtue of any breach of the Contract by the vendor.
(School District Breach:) In the event of a breach of Contract of Knox County Schools, the vendor shall notify the
Knox County Procurement Division in writing within 30 days of any breach. Said notice shall contain a description
of the breach. Failure by the vendor to provide said written notice shall operate as an absolute waiver by the vendor
of the participating school's breach. In no event shall any breach on the part of Knox County Schools excuse the
vendor from full performance under this Contract. In the event of breach by Knox County Schools, the vendor may
avail itself of any remedy at law in the forum with appropriate jurisdiction, provided, however failure by the vendor
to give Knox County Procurement Division written notice and opportunity to cure as described herein operated as
a waiver of Schools breach. Failure by the vendor to file a claim before the appropriate forum in Tennessee with
jurisdiction to hear such a claim within one (1) year of the written notice of breach shall operate as a waiver of said
claim in its entirety. It is agreed by the parties that this provision establishes a contractual period of limitations for
any claim brought by the vendor.
2.24 WARRANTY: Contractor warrants to Knox County that all items delivered, and all services rendered shall conform
to the specifications, drawings, bid and/or other descriptions furnished and/or incorporated by reference, and will
be fit for the particular purpose purchased of merchantable quality, good workmanship and free from defects.
Contractor extends to Knox County all warranties allowed under the U.C.C. Contractor shall provide copies of
warranties to the County upon request. Return of merchandise not meeting warranties shall be at Contractor's
expense.
SECTION III SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
3.1 INTENT: The intent of these specifications is to set forth and convey to prospective bidders the general type and
quality of uniforms as desired by Knox County and Knox County Schools. However, if awarded, any Knox County
Department may purchase from the award. Award will be based on Best Value. Best Value means more than low
cost. It includes the initial cost, service quality and other factors detailed herein.
3.2 ACCEPTANCE: Bidders are advised that the payment of an invoice does not necessarily constitute as an acceptance of
services that are provided. Acceptance may require a specific written action by Knox County so stating.
3.3 ACCOUNT SET-UP: The successful Vendor(s) will be required to set up separate accounts for each site/branch
and any other departments that may use this Term Contract. The successful Contractor(s) will be required to invoice,
as well as post payment, to the proper agency.
3.4 ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS OF GOODS/SERVICES: Knox County may, but shall not be required to, request the
vendor to add other goods or services for Knox County. Pricing for any additional goods or services will be
negotiated with the vendor. Knox County may add or delete from the Contract one (1) or more goods or services in
the pricing sheet without terminating the entire Contract.
3.5 AUDITS: Audits may be required of a vendor's cost records as follows:
* Prior to award of Contract on items supported by a third-party invoice for bid confirmation
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* Quarterly
* At any time monthly price reviews indicate that a problem may exist
The vendor shall be given notice of the intent of the Knox County Schools Nutrition Program to conduct an audit as
follows:
* The date shall be scheduled a minimum of one month in advance
* A list of items and dates of price changes shall be given three (3) working days in advance
The vendor shall provide acceptable documentation as follows:
* Supplier's invoices
* Freight bills
* Perpetual inventory records
* Market bulletins - used for distributor items and inner company billing items when price change occurs
Note: Recurring or excessive pricing errors may result in contract termination.
3.6 AWARD LENGTH: Knox County intends to issue a one-year (1) award. Upon the mutual agreement of each vendor
and Knox County, the award may be extended four (4) additional years, one (1) year at a time. This may result in a
total of five (5) years. Knox County reserves the right to purchase these items/services from other sources if the
need arises.
3.7 BID EVALUATION: In evaluating the bids, Knox County reserves the right to use any or all of the ideas from the
bids submitted without limitation and to accept any part or all of the successful bid in selecting an operation which
is judged to be in the best interest of the Knox County. All material submitted becomes the property of Knox County.
3.8 BIDDER OBLIGATION: Each bidder shall become fully acquainted with conditions relating to the scope and
restrictions attending the execution of the work under this IFB. The failure or omission of a bidder to become
acquainted with existing conditions shall no way relieve the bidder of any obligations with respect to this IFB or to
the Contract.
3.9 BILLING FOR SCHOOLS: Signed invoices shall be submitted to Knox County Schools Nutrition Department
monthly, with the Bill To address being Knox County Schools School Nutrition Department, P.O. Box 2188,
Knoxville, TN 37901. Invoices shall contain the following information: specific location name and account number,
purchase order number, invoice number, item number, item description, quantity, unit price, extended totals and
applicable discounts noted for items delivered. All terms and discounts must be listed on the invoice. Failure to
enter the above information on the invoice may cause a delay in payment.
A statement of unpaid invoices and credits shall be prepared monthly. Accounts will close on the last day of the
month. Invoices must be delivered as stated above and statements shall be forwarded no later than the five (5)
business days after the end of each month to the attention of Knox County School Nutrition Department.
Each statement must contain the following:
* Name of school location.
* Listing of unpaid invoices to include invoice number, date on invoice, and total amount of invoice.
* Listing of outstanding credits to include invoice number, date on credit, and total amount of credit.
3.10 BUSINESS DAYS: Knox County defines business days as Monday through Friday. Knox County does not consider
Saturday and Sunday as business days even though some commercial delivery services are working on the
weekends for delivery of goods and services.
3.11 CERTIFICATE OF INDEPENDENT PRICE DETERMINATION: Attached is a Certificate of Independent Price
Determination. All vendors must complete the form and submit it with their bid response. Vendors that do not submit
the certificate will not be considered.
3.12 CERTIFICATE REGARDING DEBARMENT: All vendors must complete the Debarment Certificate and submit it
with their bid response. Vendors that do not submit the certificate will not be considered.
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3.13 CERTIFICATE OF RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING: Attached is a Certificate of Restrictions on Lobbying. All
vendors must complete the form and submit it with their bid response. Vendors that do not submit the certificate will
not be considered.
3.14 CHANGES AFTER AWARD: It is possible that after the award, the County might change its needs or requirements.
Knox County reserves the right to make such changes after consultation with the vendor. Should additional costs
arise, the County reserves the right to consider accepting these changes provided the vendor can document the
increased costs. Knox County also reserves the right to accept proposed service changes from the vendor if they
will lower the cost to Knox County Schools and/or provide improved service.
3.15 CODE OF CONDUCT: The following conduct will be expected of all person(s) who are engaged in the awarding
and administration of contracts supported by Knox County Schools Nutrition Program Funds.
3.15.1 No employees, officer or agent of Knox County or the Schools Nutrition Program shall participate in
selection or in the award or administration of a contract supported by program funds if a conflict of interest,
real or apparent would be involved.
3.15.2 Conflicts of interest arise when one of the following has a financial or other interest in the firm selected for
this award:
a) The employee, officer or agent
b) Any member of his/her immediate family
c) His or her partner
d) An organization which employs or is about to employ one of the above
3.15.3 Knox County School Nutrition employees, officers or agents shall neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors
or anything of monetary value from Contractors, potential Contractors or parties to sub-agreements.
3.15.4 The purchase of any food or service from a Contractor for individual use is prohibited using school bid
prices.
3.15.5 The removal of any food supplies or equipment for individual use is prohibited.
3.15.6 The outside sale of such items as used oil, empty cans and the like will be sold by contract according to the
School Board policy and the outside agency.
3.15.7 Failure of any Knox County School Nutrition employee to abide by the above could result in a suspension
or dismissal. Interpretation of the code will be administered by the Knox County Procurement Division. The
Knox County Procurement Division will not be responsible for any other explanation or interpretation which
anyone presumes to make on behalf of the schools.
3.15.8 Failure of a Contractor's agent to abide by these rules or facilitate a school employee the opportunity to not
abide by these rules by actively participating in a breach of one or more of the rules hereby established
may result in termination of the Contract.
3.16 COMMUNICATIONS: Upon award, Knox County will communicate extensively and continually with the Contractor.
While information may occasionally be transmitted via telephone, it should always be followed up with email
confirmation. Due to the volume of information that must be transmitted, it is essential that the Contractor has email
capabilities.
3.17 COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE REGULATIONS: Bidder agrees and covenants that the company, its
agents and employees will comply with all City, County, State and Federal codes, laws, rules and regulations
applicable to the business to be conducted under this contract. If the Contractor performs any work knowing it to
be contrary to such laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, the Contractor shall bear all costs arising from them.
3.18 CONTACT PERSONNEL: Essential to the success of this Contract is the development of a good working
relationship between the Vendor and Knox County. It is imperative that the Knox County account be handled
efficiently and professionally. Knox County should be assigned no more than two (2) Vendor contacts to handle
billing inquiries and service-related issues. In the event one or both contacts leave the Knox County account, the
Vendor shall formally introduce the new contacts to Knox County personnel. These contacts must be knowledgeable
of the County's account to avoid an interruption of service.
3.19 ELECTRONIC ORDERING: If vendor has an internet-based ordering system, vendor should include details of the
system with the bid. Participating schools may or may not wish to order electronically.
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3.20 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: All contracts awarded in excess of $100,000 by grantees and their
contractors or subcontractors shall comply with Executive Order 11246 entitled "Equal Employment Opportunity",
as amended by Executive Order 11375, and supplemented under Department of Labor Regulations (41 CFR, Part
60).
3.21 EVALUATION CRITERIA: This bid will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Price 100 Points
3.22 EVALUATION REVIEW: Knox County reserves the right to use all pertinent information (also learned from sources
other than disclosed in the bid process) that might affect the County's judgment as to the appropriateness of an
award to the best evaluated bidder. This information may be appended to the bid evaluation process results.
Information on a service provider from reliable sources, and not within the service provider's bid, may also be noted
and made part of the evaluation file. Knox County shall have sole responsibility for determining a reliable source.
Knox County reserves the right to conduct written and/or oral discussions/interviews after the bid opening. The
purpose of such discussions/interviews is to provide clarification and/or additional information to make an award
which is in the best interest of Knox County.
3.23 FUEL CHARGES: Contractor, at its own expense, is liable for all fuel costs related to performance. No fuel
surcharges will be accepted or paid by Knox County.
3.24 GRATUITIES AND KICKBACKS: It shall be a breach of ethical standards for any person or company to offer, give
or agree to give any employee or former employee, or for any employee or former employee to solicit, demand,
accept or agree to accept from another person, a gratuity or an offer of employment in connection with any decision,
approval, disapproval, recommendation, preparation of any part of a program requirement or a purchase request,
influencing the content of any specification or procurement standard, rendering of advice, investigation, auditing or
in any other advisory capacity in any proceeding or application, request for ruling, determination, claim or
controversy or other particular matter, pertaining to any program requirement of a contract or subcontract or to any
solicitation or proposal therefore. It shall be a breach of ethical standards for any payment, gratuity or offer of
employment to be made by or on behalf of a subcontractor under a contract to the prime contractor or higher tier
subcontractor or a person associated therewith, as an inducement for the award of a subcontract or order.
Breach of the provisions of this paragraph is, in addition to a breach of this Contract, a breach of ethical standards
which may result in civil or criminal sanction and/or debarment or suspension from being a contractor or
subcontractor under Knox County contracts.
3.25 IDENTIFICATION: Employees of the vendor shall have proper identification displayed at all times while on Knox
County property.
3.26 INSURANCE: The successful Contractor(s) must carry the insurance as indicated on the Insurance Attachment
hereto. As proof of the Contractor's willingness to obtain and maintain the insurance, the Contractor must complete,
sign, and have its insurance agent sign the attachment and submit it with the bid response. Upon the Notification
of Intent to Award, the successful Contractor(s) will be required to submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with the
appropriate coverages and listing Knox County Government/Knox County Schools as an additional insured. It shall
be the successful Contractor's responsibility to always keep a current COI on file with Knox County Procurement.
3.27 INTERPRETATION: No oral interpretation will be made to any bidder regarding the meaning of specifications. All
questions are to be submitted in writing via email and will be answered in the form of an amendment to the
solicitation by the Knox County Procurement Division.
3.28 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: All vendors doing business in Knox County are required to be licensed in accordance
with the business license regulations of Knox County, Tennessee. Wholesale and retail merchants without a location
in Knox County are exempt from this requirement. A copy of the license must be included with the bid, if applicable.
3.29 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SOLICITATION:
* Minimum of three (3) years of experience supplying similar products to school districts.
* Must be a commercial provider and/or dealer of shoes and apparel easily able to outfit the size and scope
of Knox County employees with a minimum of one (1) dressing room each for males and females.
* Must have a public store front within the corporate boundaries of Knox County that operates under regular
business hours.
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3.30 NEWS RELEASES BY VENDORS: As a matter of policy, Knox County does not endorse the services of a
Contractor. A Contractor will not make news releases concerning any resultant Contract from this solicitation without
the prior written approval of Knox County.
3.31 NO CONTACT POLICY: After the date and time that the vendor receives this solicitation, any contact initiated by
any bidder with any Knox County representative, other than the Procurement Division representative listed herein,
concerning this Invitation for Bid, is strictly prohibited. Any such unauthorized contact may cause the disqualification of
the bidder from this procurement transaction.
3.32 OFFER WITHDRAWAL: No bid can be withdrawn after it is filed unless the bidder makes a request in writing to the
Knox County Procurement Division prior to the time set for the opening of bids or unless the County fails to accept
within ninety (90) business days after the date fixed for opening the Invitation for Bid.
3.33 OPEN RECORDS ACT: Knox County is subject to the Tennessee Open Records Act 10-7-503 et seq. Bidders are
cautioned that all documents submitted on behalf of this Invitation for Bid shall be open to the public for viewing and
inspection and Knox County will comply with all legitimate requests.
3.34 PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO PERFORM: Any one or combination of penalties for failure to perform may be
used:
* Payment for items bought from other sources
* Termination of Contract
* Suspension from future business
* Legal action and civil penalties
* Criminal action
3.35 PRICING: The vendor(s) warrants that the unit price stated shall remain firm for a period of one (1) year from the
first day of the Contract period. Contractor will not be granted price increases at any other time during the Contract
terms. Price increase requests shall include at a minimum:
3.35.1 The cause for the adjustment. This may include, but not be limited to, letters from suppliers.
3.35.2 The amount of the change requested with written documentation tied to the Producer Price Index (PPI) to
support the requested adjustment. PPI information can be located at: https://data.bls.gov/PDQWeb/wp. PPI
will be based on the following: 03 - Apparel; 0381 - Apparel, Not Seasonally Adjusted. Questions regarding
this information should be directed to the buyer listed in Section 1.1.
3.35.3 Notice to Knox County to be given thirty (30) days before the upcoming six-month term.
If a price increase is rejected, the vendor may:
3.35.4 Continue with the existing price.
3.35.5 Request a lower price increase.
3.35.6 Not accept the renewal offer.
Any requests for price increases will be tied to the Producer Price Index (PPI) for the items listed. If a price increase
is approved by Knox County, the approval notification will be done in writing and the Contractor will be notified of
the new price schedule and effective date of the increase. This documentation will become part of the bid file. No
approvals will be authorized verbally.
3.36 QUANTITIES: Knox County does not guarantee any quantities to be purchased from this term Contract. Knox
County does not have an exact dollar amount that was procured for these types of goods/services. Products will be
purchased on an as-needed basis.
3.37 REGULATION COMPLIANCE: The Knox County School Nutrition Department policy is in firm support of the
provisions of the Equal Opportunity Act of 1975. The Knox County School Nutrition Department, therefore, must be
assured by the successful vendor in this bid that the institution is an equal opportunity employer according to the
provisions of the Act.
All contracts will require compliance with all applicable standards, orders, or regulations issued pursuant to the
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251-
1387). Violations must be reported to the Federal awarding agency and the Regional Office of the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
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