Administration of Remote Pesticide Certification and License Exams
| Location: | Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Jun 26, 2026 |
| Due: | Jul 17, 2026 |
| Agency: | State Government of Tennessee |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | RFI 32505-00126 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Document ID & Hyperlink: | RFI 32505-00126 |
| Event Start - Response Due: |
06/18/2026
07/17/2026 |
| Event Name: | Administration of Remote Pesticide Certification and License Exams |
| Last Updated: |
Attachment Preview
11-20-13 RFI
STATE OF TENNESSEE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
FOR
ADMINISTRATION OF REMOTE PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE EXAMS
RFI # 32505-00126
JUNE 18, 2026
1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
The State of Tennessee, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE issues this Request for Information
(“RFI”) for the purpose of Pesticide Certification and Licensure contract. We appreciate your input
and participation in this process.
2. BACKGROUND:
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture issues pesticide licenses and certifications to verify
that individuals meet the required qualifications before applying pesticides.
• Pesticide Certification & Licensing Administration — Vendor must demonstrate the
ability to administer exams in full compliance with applicable Tennessee and federal
requirements, including scheduling, applicant eligibility and identity verification, secure
handling of exam materials, test security, privacy, accessibility, recordkeeping, and
regulatory standards. Vendor must maintain appropriate policies, procedures, systems,
and trained personnel to ensure exams are administered securely, consistently, and in
accordance with State instructions, contract requirements, and all governing laws and
regulations.
o Fee Compliance - Vendor must comply with Tennessee’s mandated maximum
exam fees, including $25 for certification exams and $150 for licensing exams.
Vendor must clearly describe how fees will be collected, identify any payment
methods or processing charges, and ensure applicants are informed of all costs
before payment is submitted. Vendor must also outline its refund process,
including eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures for handling cancellations,
rescheduling, or applicant errors, while maintaining transparent and consistent
fee practices.
o 24/7/365 Testing Availability - Vendor must maintain adequate staffing,
systems, and operational capacity to provide continuous testing availability year-
round. Vendor should also identify any physical locations available for the
administration of testing, including relevant details such as address, hours of
availability, and any limitations or requirements for use.
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9-30-13 RFI
o CoreOne System Integration - Vendor must be able to develop an Application
Programming Interface (API), which is a secure connection that allows systems
to exchange information electronically, to transfer exam results into CoreOne,
the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s system of record. The vendor must
also be able to collaborate with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
and TraceFirst, the provider or support entity associated with CoreOne, to
ensure successful system integration, secure data transfer, and accurate
reporting of exam results.
o Testing Locations - Vendor must provide a complete list of all physical and/or
remote testing locations or platforms available to applicants. The information
must include location addresses, hours of operation, accessibility
accommodations, scheduling availability, on-site or remote proctoring
procedures, and security measures used to protect exam integrity and applicant
information.
o Languages Offered - Vendor must identify all languages available for exams,
exam instructions, applicant communications, and customer support. Vendor
must also describe any translation, interpretation, accessibility, or
accommodation services available to applicants and explain how language
support will be requested, provided, and documented in compliance with State
and federal requirements.
o Data Security Requirements - Vendor must describe the administrative,
technical, and physical safeguards used to protect confidential applicant
information, examination materials, and testing results. This must include
cybersecurity standards, encryption practices, user authentication and access
controls, data storage and retention procedures, incident response protocols, and
measures to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or loss. Vendor
must also identify applicable compliance frameworks or security standards
followed and explain how security controls are monitored, tested, and maintained
throughout the contract term.
o Prevention of Unethical Practices - Vendor must describe the policies,
procedures, and technologies used to detect, prevent, and address unethical,
fraudulent, or improper testing practices. This includes identity verification,
proctoring methods, monitoring tools, test environment controls, incident
reporting, investigation procedures, and disciplinary or corrective actions for
applicant misconduct or testing irregularities.
o Submission of test results - Vendor must describe the available methods for
securely submitting examination results to the Tennessee Department of
Agriculture, which may include automated electronic transfer, SFTP, API
integration, encrypted email, or secure web portals. Vendor must also explain
submission timelines, data validation procedures, error correction processes, and
reporting capabilities to ensure results are transmitted accurately, securely, and
within required timeframes.
3. COMMUNICATIONS:
3.1. Please submit your response to this RFI to:
Lori Holt, ASA II
Department of Agriculture
436 Hogan Road
Nashville, Tennessee 37220
Lori.Holt@tn.gov
615-837-5343
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9-30-13 RFI
3.2. Please feel free to contact the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE with any questions
regarding this RFI. The main point of contact will be:
MARK POWELL
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
436 HOGAN ROAD
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37220
PORTER.CONTRACTS@TN.GOV
615-837-5135
3.3. Please reference RFI # 32505-00126 with all communications to this RFI.
4. RFI SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
EVENT
1. RFI Issued
2. RFI Response Deadline
TIME
DATE
(Central Time (all dates are State
Zone)
business days)
June 26, 2026
11:59
July 17, 2026
5. GENERAL INFORMATION:
5.1. Please note that responding to this RFI is not a prerequisite for responding to any future
solicitations related to this project and a response to this RFI will not create any contract
rights. Responses to this RFI will become property of the State.
5.2. The information gathered during this RFI is part of an ongoing procurement. In order to
prevent an unfair advantage among potential respondents, the RFI responses will not be
available until after the completion of evaluation of any responses, proposals, or bids
resulting from a Request for Qualifications, Request for Proposals, Invitation to Bid or other
procurement method. In the event that the state chooses not to go further in the
procurement process and responses are never evaluated, the responses to the
procurement, including the responses to the RFI, will be considered confidential by the
State.
5.3. The State will not pay for any costs associated with responding to this RFI.
6. INFORMATIONAL FORMS:
The State is requesting the following information from all interested parties. Please fill out the
following forms:
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RFI #32505-00126
TECHNICAL INFORMATIONAL FORM
1. RESPONDENT LEGAL ENTITY NAME:
2. RESPONDENT CONTACT PERSON:
Name, Title:
Address:
Phone Number:
Email:
3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIENCE PROVIDING SIMILAR SCOPE OF
SERVICES/PRODUCTS
4. FILL IN WITH REQUESTED INFORMATION AS NEEDED
9-30-13 RFI
COST INFORMATIONAL FORM
1. Describe what pricing units you typically utilize for similar services or goods (e.g., per hour, each,
etc.:
2. Describe the typical price range for similar services or goods
3. FILL IN WITH REQUESTED INFORMATION AS NEEDED
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. Please provide input on alternative approaches or additional things to consider that might benefit
the State:
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