Food Management Services for the Carter County Detention Center

Carter County Government
Request for Proposals
Carter County Courthouse
Finance Department
801 E. Elk Avenue, Suite 203
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 542-1803 Office
Date Issued: June 12, 2026
Proposals will be received until
2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on June 26, 2026
Sealed solicitations are subject to the General Terms and Conditions and any other data
attached or incorporated by reference. Responses will be received in the Carter County Finance Department until the date and time
specified above, and at that time publicly opened and read aloud.
CARTER COUNTY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO WAIVE ANY INFORMALITIES
IN OR TO REJECT ANY OR ALL PROPOSALS AND TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL DEEMED
FAVORABLE AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF CARTER COUNTY.
BID DESCRIPTION
Request for Proposals for Food Management Services for the Carter County Detention Center.
Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the RFP description clearly
labeled. Vendors shall provide one original and one copy.
Questions are to be emailed to Captain Matt Patterson at
pattersonm@sheriff.cc

Request for Proposal for Food Management Services
Scope of Work
The Carter County Detention Center (herein after "The Facility") is seeking proposals for Food Management
Services.
The Facility shall be responsible for food orders and the preparation and serving of the meals.
The awarded vendor will provide food and consultation services for the Detention Center.
Food categories include: Portion Meat, Bulk Poultry, Pork, Sliced Poultry, Hotdogs, Raw Poultry, Frozen
Prepared, Shelf Stable, Dairy, Desserts, Snacks, Beans, Bulk and Individual Drinks, Bulk Cereal, Condiments,
Canned Fruit, Bulk Pasta, Potatoes, Spices, Sugars, Flour, Shortening, Frozen Fruit, Vegetables, Bakery and
Juice, Non-frozen Fruit and Vegetables.
Consultation services shall include administrative, dietetic, purchasing, equipment, meal services and meal
preparation advisement. These services shall ensure the Facility's program complies with all applicable
federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and regulations including those established by the American
Correctional Association, the Tennessee Jail Standards as required by the Tennessee Department of Public
Health and Safety and the Food & Nutritional Board of the National Academy of Sciences.
The awarded company will provide the Facility with at least two weeks of menu planning, food ordering,
and meal preparation, meal serving and sanitation training. Refresher training shall be provided upon any
contract renewal.
The awarded vendor shall provide consultation services as needed during the contract term.
The County anticipates establishing a one-year contract with year renewal options.
Proposal Requirements
Proposals must be submitted in the format listed in this section. Proposals shall be prepared simply and
economically and provide a straightforward, concise description of the Proposer's capabilities to satisfy the
requirements of this RFP.
Tab 1- Proposed Solution
Vendor shall detail a proposed solution to illustrate understanding of project requirements. Proposals must
explain how the work will be conducted. Proposal must include the proposed vendor team and a sample
contract.
Tab 2 - Vendor History/Experience
Proposals must provide the following:
* Number of years vendor has been in operation
* A listing of current customers
* Certifications/licensures applicable to the proposed work

* Proof of Financial Stability to include two years of audited financial history.
The Facility reserves the right to request and contact references.
Tab 3 - Pricing
Proposals shall include a current price list for all food items included in the offer. Price lists must include
brand names, unit of measures, case sizes and itemized costs. The pricing for the consultation services and
any additional costs shall be explained in full.
Proposals shall explain the decision matrix for price adjustments to include frequency.
Tab 4 -Additional Required Forms
* Attachment 1, Vendor Information Sheet
* Attachment 2, Non-Collusion Affidavit
* Attachment 3, Certificate of Liability Form
* Attachment 4, Conflict of Interest Form

Attachment 1
BID: Food Management Services
SECTION 1 - BID INFORMATION SECTION 2 - VENDOR INFORMATION
Acknowledgment of Addenda (if any):
(Write "Yes" if received) Vendor Name
Addenda 1_____ Addenda 2
Vendor Address
Addenda 3_____ Addenda 4
City
State Zip
Telephone
Lead Contact Person (Please Print)
E-Mail Address
Taxpayer Identification Number, Social Security or
Employer Identification Number:
State of Tennessee Business License Number:
I
I

Attachment 2
Non-Collusion Affidavit
* This Non-Collusion Affidavit is material to any contract awarded pursuant to this bid.
* This Non-Collusion Affidavit must be executed by the member, officer, or employee of the bidder who makes
the final decision on prices and the amount quoted in the bid.
* Bid rigging and other efforts to restrain competition and the making of false sworn statements in connection
with the submission of bids are unlawful and may be subject to criminal prosecution. The person who signs
the affidavit should examine it carefully before signing and assure himself or herself that such statement is
true and accurate, making diligent inquiry, as necessary, of all other persons employed by or associated with
the bidder with responsibilities for the preparation, approval, or submission of the bid.
* In the case of a bid submitted by a joint venture, each party to the venture must be identified in the bid
documents, and an affidavit must be submitted separately on behalf of each party.
* The term "complementary bid" as used in the affidavit has the meaning commonly associated with that term in
the bidding process and includes the knowing submission of bids higher than the bid of another firm, an
intentionally high or noncompetitive bid, and any other form of bid submitted for the purpose of giving a false
appearance of competition.
* Failure to file an affidavit in compliance with these instructions may result in disqualification of the bid.
Non-Collusion Affidavit
STATE OF
COUNTY OF
I state that I am (Title) of (Name of My Firm) _
and that I am authorized to make this affidavit on behalf of my firm and its owners, directors, and officers. I am
the person responsible in my firm to the price(s) and the amount of this bid.
I STATE THAT:
* The price(s) and amount of this bid have been arrived at independently and without consultation,
communication, or agreement with any other contractor, bidder, or potential bidder.
* Neither the price(s) nor the amount of this bid and neither the approximate price(s) nor approximate amount
of this bid, have been disclosed to any other firm or person who is a bidder or potential bidder, and they will
not be disclosed before bid opening.
* No attempt has been made or will be made to induce any firm or person to refrain from bidding on this
contract, or to submit a bid higher than this bid, or to submit any intentionally high or noncompetitive bid or
other form of complementary bid.
* The bid of my firm is made in good faith and not pursuant to any agreement or discussion with, or inducement
from, any firm or person to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.
* (Name of My Firm)----------------------------------------------------------- ,its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers,
directors, and employees are not currently under investigation by any governmental agency and have not in
the last three years been convicted or found liable for any act prohibited by State of Federal law in any
jurisdiction involving conspiracy or collusion with respect to bidding on any public contract, except as follows:
I state that (Name of My Firm) understands and acknowledges
that the above representation are material and important and will be relied on by Carter County in awarding the
contract(s) for which this bid is submitted. I understand and my firm understands that any misstatement in this
affidavit is and shall be treated as fraudulent concealment from Carter County of the true facts relating to
submission of bids for this contract.
Representative's Signature Title
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of
My commission expires: _
Notary Public

Attachment 3
Insurance Requirement Acknowledgment
The bidder awarded this bid or contract will maintain, at their expense adequate insurance coverage to protect them from claims arising
under the Worker's Compensation Act, any and all claims for bodily injury and property damage to the Bidder and to Carter County
Government while delivery and service are being done. A certificate of insurance must be on file in the Finance Department before work
may begin and must be maintained until work is completed.
Only the items marked with an "X" are applicable to this bid and or contract.
1. Workers Compensation Statutory limits
Employers Liability 100,000/100,000/500,000
2. Commercial General Liability $500,000 per occurrence
$1,000,000 aggregate
Occurrence Form Only
Include Premises Liability
Include Contractual
Include XCU
Include Products and Completed Operations
Include Personal Injury
Include Independent Contractors
Include Vendors Liability
Include Professional or E&O Liability

3. Business Auto
Include Garage Liability
Include Garage Keepers Liability
Copy of Valid Driver's License
Copy of Current Motor Vehicle Record
Copy of Current Auto Liability Declarations Page

4. Crime Coverages
Employee Dishonesty
Employee Dishonesty Bond

5. Property Coverages
Builders Risk
Inland Marine
Transportation

6. Performance Bond Required - A One Hundred Percent (100%) performance or an irrevocable letter of
credit in favor of Carter County Government at a federally insured financial institution in accordance with T.C.A. 12-4-
201. This MUST be submitted before purchase order issued. REQUIRED IF BID IS OVER $100,000.
Certificate Holder Shall Be: Carter County Government, Elizabethton, Tennessee, and shall show the bid number and title.
Carter County Government shall be named as an additional insured on all policies except worker's compensation and auto.
Insurance carrier ratings shall have a Best's rating of A-VII or better, or its equivalent. Cancellation clause on certificate
should strike out "endeavor to" and include a 30-day notice of cancellation where applicable. Any deviations from the above
requirements must be disclosed to the Carter County Purchasing Agent. Any liability deductibles or exclusions must also
be disclosed. Exceptions can be granted if applicable.
Bidders Statement and Certification
I understand the insurance requirements of these specifications and will comply in full within 21 (twenty-one) calendar days
if awarded this bid and or contract. I agree to furnish the county with proof of insurance for the entire term of the bid and or
contract.
Vendor Name Authorized Signature
Bid Representative Name (Please Print) Date

Attachment 4
CARTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT PURCHASING
DEPARTMENT
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AFFIDAVIT/STATEMENT
NOTE: PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN PAGE TWO IN YOUR BID PACKET.
T. C. A. 5-14-114.Conflicts of interest -- Illegal payments.
(a) Neither the county purchasing agent, nor members of the county purchasing commission, nor
members of the county legislative body, nor other officials of the county, shall be financially
interested, or have any personal beneficial interest, either directly or indirectly, in any contract or
purchase order for any supplies, materials, equipment or contractual services used by or furnished to
any department or agency of the county government.
(b) Nor shall any such persons accept or receive, directly or indirectly, from any person, firm or
corporation to which any contract or purchase order may be awarded, by rebate, gift or otherwise,
any money or anything of value whatsoever, or any promise, obligation or contract for future reward
or compensation.
(c) A violation of this section is a Class D felony.
T. C. A.12-4-101 Personal interest of officers prohibited.
(a) (1) It is unlawful for any officer, committee member, director, or other person whose duty it is
to vote for, let out, overlook, or in any manner to superintend any work or any contract in which any
municipal corporation, county, state, development district, utility district, human resource agency, or
other political subdivision created by statute shall or may be interested, to be directly interested in
any such contract. "Directly interested" means any contract with the official personally or with any
business in which the official is the sole proprietor, a partner, or the person having the controlling
interest. "Controlling interest" includes the individual with the ownership or control of the largest
number of outstanding shares owned by any single individual or corporation. This subdivision (a)(l)
shall not be construed to prohibit any officer, committeeperson, director, or any person, other than a
member of a local governing body of a county or municipality, from voting on the budget,
appropriation resolution, or tax rate resolution, or amendments thereto, unless the vote is on a
specific amendment to the budget or a specific appropriation or resolution in which such person is
directly interested.
(2) (A) Subdivision (a)(l) shall also apply to a member of the board of directors of any not-for-
profit corporation authorized by the laws of Tennessee to act for the benefit or on behalf of any one
(1) or more counties, cities, towns and local governments pursuant to title 7, chapter 54 or 58.
(B) Subdivision (a)(2)(A) does not apply to any county with a metropolitan form of government and
having a population of four hundred thousand (400,000) or more, according to the 1980 federal
census or any subsequent federal census.
(b) It is unlawful for any officer, committee member, director, or other person whose duty it is to
vote for, let out, overlook, or in any manner to superintend any work or any contract in which any
municipal corporation, county, state, development district, utility district, human resource agency, or
other political subdivision created by statute shall or may be interested, to be indirectly interested in
any such contract unless the officer publicly acknowledges such officer's interest. "Indirectly
interested" means any contract in which the officer is interested but not directly so, but includes
contracts where the officer is directly interested but is the sole supplier of goods or services in a
municipality or county.

Attachment 5
CARTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT PURCHASING
DEPARTMENT
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AFFIDAVIT/STATEMENT
(c) (1) Any member of a local governing body of a county or a municipality who is also an employee
of such county or municipality and whose employment predates the member's initial election or
appointment to the governing body of the county or municipality may vote on matters in which the
member has a conflict of interest if the member informs the governing body immediately prior to the
vote as follows: "Because I am an employee of (name of governmental unit), I have a conflict of
interest in the proposal about to be voted. However, I declare that my argument and my vote
answer only to my conscience and to my obligation to my constituents and the citizens this body
represents." The vote of any such member having a conflict of interest who does not so inform the
governing body of such conflict shall be void if challenged in a timely manner. As used in this
subdivision (c)(l), "timely manner" means during the same meeting at which the vote was cast and
prior to the transaction of any further business by the body.
(2) Any member of a local governing body of a county or a municipality who is also an employee of
such county or municipality and whose employment began on or after the date on which the member
was initially elected or appointed to serve on the governing body of the county or municipality shall
not vote on matters in which the member has a conflict of interest.
(3) (A) In the event a member of a local governing body of a county or a municipality has a conflict
of interest in a matter to be voted upon by the body, such member may abstain for cause by
announcing such to the presiding officer.
(B) (i) Any member of a local governing body of a municipality who abstains from voting for cause
on any issue coming to a vote before the body shall not be counted for the purpose of determining a
majority vote.
(ii) This subdivision (c)(3)(B) shall in no way be construed to apply to any county having a
metropolitan form of government and having a population in excess of five hundred thousand
(500,000), according to the 1990 federal census or any subsequent federal census.
(d) This section shall apply to a member of the board of directors or officer of any nonprofit
corporation required under 8-44-102(b) (l)(E) to conduct all meetings of its governing body as
open meetings.
I have read and understand both T.C. A. 5-14-114 and T. C. A. 12-4-101, and will comply.
NOTE: PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN PAGE TWO IN YOUR BID PACKET.
Contractor or Company Owner (signature) Date
Contractor or Company Name (print)

BID ENVELOPE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
Bids are to be received in a sealed envelope/package with the bid information, company name and
opening date clearly marked. Failure to comply may result in rejection of the entire bid. Carter County will
not be responsible for any lost or misdirected mail. Late bids, e-mailed bids and faxed bids will not be
considered nor returned. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to ensure their bid is delivered to the
Purchasing Department.
CARTER COUNTY FINANCE DEPARTMENT
801 E. ELK AVENUE, SUITE 203
ELIZABETHTON, TN 37643
(423) 542-1803 Phone
Bid documents must be completed in ink or typed, signed in ink,
and free from alterations, erasures or mark-throughs.
SECTION 1 - GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1.1 ALTERATIONS OR AMENDMENTS: Alterations, amendments, changes, modifications or
additions to this solicitation shall not be binding on Carter County without prior written approval.
1.2 NO CONTACT POLICY: After vendor receives a copy of this bid, any contact initiated by any vendor
with any Carter County representative, other than the Finance Department, concerning this invitation for bid
is prohibited and agreements made thereto will not be considered binding on Carter County. Any such
unauthorized contact may cause the disqualification of the bidder from this procurement transaction.
1.3 QUESTIONS: Pursuant to TCA 12-4-113, questions regarding the specifications or bid procedures
must be received by the Purchasing Agent and/or designer no less than ninety-six (96) hours before the
bid opening date. No addenda within less than forty-eight (48) hours of the bid opening date shall be
permitted. Any questions concerning the bid document must be submitted to pattersonm@sheriff.cc no less
than ninety-six (96) hours before bid opening date.
1.4 BID CLOCK: The bid/time clock in the Carter County Finance office will be the time of record.
1.5 TAXES: Carter County is not liable for Federal excise or State sales tax. Tax exemption certificates will
be provided upon request.

1.6 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: If requested by the Purchasing Agent, vendors must complete and submit
a "Conflict of Interest Affidavit Statement" prior to contract award, see T.C.A. 5-14-114 and T. C. A. 12-4-
101.
1.7 NON-COLLUSION: Vendors, 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.
1.8 NON-DISCRIMINATION: Contracted vendors will not discriminate against any employee or applicant
for employment because of race, religion, sex, national origin or disability except where religion, sex,
national origin or disability is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal
operation of the contractor.
1.9 SAME AS OR EQUIVALENT TO: Vendors are to bid as specified herein or propose an approved
equal. Determination of equality is solely Carter County's responsibility. Any designated brands are for
reference purpose only, not a statement of preference. When an alternate manufacturer, brand, model or
make is bid, Carter County will determine if the item bid meets or exceeds the items as specified. If the
bidder does not indicate that an alternate manufacturer, brand, model or make is being bid, it is understood
that the item(s) bid are the same manufacturer, brand, model or make as requested in the Invitation to Bid.
Comparable products of other manufacturers will be considered if proof of comparability is contained in the
bid submission. It shall be the responsibility of the vendors, including vendors whose product is referenced
to furnish upon request catalog pages, brochures or other data to provide an adequate basis for determining
the quality and functional capabilities of the product offered. Failure to provide this data may be considered
valid justification for rejection of bid.
1.10 MULTIPLE BIDS/AWARDS: Carter County may consider multiple bid awards.
1.11 ACCEPTANCE: Vendors shall hold their price firm and subject to acceptance by Carter County for a
minimum period of sixty (60) working days from the date of the bid opening, unless otherwise indicated in
their bid. Any or all bids may be rejected for good cause.
1.12 BID AWARDS: Bids will be awarded to the lowest and best bidder, taking into consideration the
qualities of the articles to be supplied, their conformity with specifications and their suitability to the
requirements of Carter County and the delivery terms. Carter County also reserves the right to not award
this bid.
1.13 BIDDER'S MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bidders must have the resources and capability to provide
the materials and services as described in the solicitation. Carter County reserves the right to request
additional information and/or material not specified as a bid requirement from any bidder to confirm
qualifications.
1.14 DEBARMENT: By submitting a response to this solicitation, bidders are certifying that bidder is not
currently debarred from doing business with any local or state Government or the Federal Government.
Bidders shall provide documentation relating to any and all debarments that occurred within the last ten