Professional Services for Regional Preparedness Workshops, Training & Family Assistance Ctr

Location:	Tennessee
Posted:	May 15, 2026
Due:	May 27, 2026
Agency:	Knox County
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	U - Education and Training Services
Solicitation No:	3739
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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The Procurement Division of Knox County, Tennessee will receive sealed proposals for the provision of Professional

Services for Regional Preparedness Workshops, Training, and Family Assistance Center (FAC) Plan Updates as

specified herein. Proposals must be received by 2:00 p.m. on May 27, 2026. Late proposals will neither be considered

nor returned.

Deliver Proposal To:

Proposal Number 3739

Knox County Procurement Division

Suite 100

1000 North Central Street

Knoxville, Tennessee 37917

The Proposal Envelope must show the Company Name, Proposal Number, Proposal Name & Proposal Closing Date.

SECTION I GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.1 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Knox County wants requests for additional information routed to Taylor

Childress, Buyer, at 865.215.5774 or emailed to Taylor.Childress@knoxcounty.org. If you have not heard

from the Buyer in a reasonable amount of time, please call for further assistance. Information about the Knox

County Procurement Division and current solicitations may be obtained on the internet at

www.knoxcounty.org/procurement.

1.2 ACCEPTANCE: Vendors shall hold their proposal firm and subject to acceptance by Knox County for a

period of one hundred twenty (120) calendar days from the date of the proposal closing.

1.3 ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS: Knox County will not accept alternate proposals (those not equal to

specifications) unless authorized by the Request for Proposal (RFP).

1.4 AUDIT HOTLINE: Knox County has established an Audit Hotline to report potential fraud and waste. To

report potential fraud, waste or abuse, vendor can file a report online by accessing

https://www.knoxcounty.org/audit/hotline.php.

Vendors are hereby cautioned that this Audit Hotline does not replace the Award Protest Procedures

found in Section VI, Item M of the Knox County Procurement Regulations.

1.5 AWARD: Award will be made to the most responsive, responsible proposer(s) meeting specifications and

presenting the product(s) and/or service(s) that is in the best interest of Knox County. Knox County reserves

the right to award this proposal on an all-or-none basis, schedule basis or by multiple award. Knox County

reserves the right to not award this proposal. Award will be made in accordance with the evaluation criteria

specified herein. The evaluation criteria can be found in Section 3.8..

1.6 BUSINESS OUTREACH PROGRAM: The purpose of this program is to increase the opportunity for

companies doing business with Knox County by encouraging participation through site visits, providing

education and support regarding policies and procedures, and actively recruiting all interested suppliers.

1.7 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Vendors must have read and comply with the “Non-Conflict of Interest" statement

provided in the vendor registration process prior to the closing of this solicitation. Knox County’s Non-Conflict

of Interest Policy is available for review at https://www.knoxcounty.org/purchasing/conflict_policy.php.

1.8 COPIES: Knox County requires that two hard copies of proposals be submitted as one (1) marked original

and one (1) exact copy. Proposers must submit with their hard copies an exact electronic version of

their proposal in a SINGLE FILE on a flash drive.

1.9 DECLARATIVE STATEMENT: Any statement or words (e.g.: must, shall, will) are declarative statements

and the vendor must comply with the condition. Failure to comply with any such condition may result in their

proposal being non-responsive and disqualified.

1.10 DESTINATION AND DELIVERY: Proposers must include all destination and delivery charges in their price.

There will be no extra hidden charges. Delivery must be “free on board” to the County department.

1.11 ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF PROPOSALS: Due to the nature of this solicitation, the Knox County

Procurement Division will not accept electronically submitted proposals. Email and facsimile submission is

strictly prohibited.

1.12 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 on-line vendor

registration and maintenance, electronic receipt of purchase orders, on-line retrieval and submittal of quotes,

bids and proposals for our vendor-clients and on-line 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, we are urging you to please go to our website

at www.knoxcounty.org/procurement, register as a vendor in our on-line 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.

1.13 INCURRED COSTS: Knox County will not be liable in any way for costs incurred by any proposer in the

preparation and submission of its proposal in response to this RFP, nor for the presentation of its proposal

and/or participation in any required meetings, discussions or negotiations. If any oral presentations are

required, Knox County advises vendors to be thorough and complete in submission of information.

1.14 NON-COLLUSION: Vendors, by submitting a signed proposal, certify that the accompanying proposal 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.

1.15 PAYMENT METHOD: Knox County utilizes two (2) methods of placing orders for products/services. The first

is the use of Purchase Orders. These Purchase Orders will be issued from 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). Knox County intends to pay for these

products using either a Knox County issued purchase order or a Knox County purchasing card (VISA).

Vendors must be able to accept the Knox County credit card (VISA) for these types of transactions. Proposers

that are not able to accept the credit card will not be considered for this term contract.

1.16 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.

1.17 PROCESSING TIME FOR PAYMENT: Vendors are advised that a minimum of thirty (30) days may be

required to process invoices for payment.

1.18 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.

1.19 PROPOSAL DELIVERY: Knox County requires proposers, when hand delivering proposals, to time and date

stamp the envelope before depositing it in the bid box. Knox County will not be responsible for any lost or

misdirected mail sent by common carrier, nor will Knox County be responsible for proposals delivered to

addresses or Suites other than the delivery address and Suite specified at the top of this solicitation. The

time clock in the Procurement Division shall serve as the official record of time.

Solicitations must be in a sealed envelope/box prior to entering the Procurement Division office.

Procurement Division personnel are not allowed to see the submittal nor assist in placing documents

in an envelope/box. Additionally, the Procurement Division is not responsible for providing materials

(e.g.: envelopes, boxes, tape) for submittals.

1.20 RECYCLING: Knox County, in its continuing efforts to lessen the amount of landfill waste and to further

recycling efforts, requests that proposals being submitted on paper shall:

• Be submitted on recycled paper

• Not include pages of unnecessary advertising

• Be made on both sides of each sheet of paper

1.21 RESTRICTIVE OR AMBIGUOUS SPECIFICATIONS: It is the responsibility of the prospective proposer to

review the entire Request for Proposal (RFP) packet and to notify the Procurement Division if the

specifications are formulated in a manner that would unnecessarily restrict competition. Any such protest or

question regarding the specifications or proposal procedures must be received in the Procurement Division

by May 14, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. local time. These requirements also apply to specifications that are

ambiguous.

1.22 SIGNING OF PROPOSALS: When submitting your proposal, in order to be considered, all proposals must

be signed. Please sign the original in blue ink.

1.23 TAXES: Knox County purchases are not subject to taxation. Tax exemption certificates will be provided

upon request.

1.24 TITLE VI OF THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT: “Non-discrimination 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.

1.25 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 regards 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.

1.26 VENDOR REGISTRATION: Prior to the submission deadline for this solicitation, ALL PROPOSERS MUST

be registered with the Procurement Division. If you are not already a registered vendor with Knox County,

“Online Vendor Registration.” Vendors must be registered with the Procurement Division prior to submitting

their proposal. Knox County shall not be responsible for technical difficulties experienced by vendors trying

to register electronically less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the proposal closing time.

1.27 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.

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 solicitation.

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, Request for Proposal, Proposal

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 RFP, each respondent and each person signing on behalf

of any respondent certifies, and in the case of a joint submittal each party thereto certifies as to its own

organization, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief that each respondent is not

on the list created pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 12-12-106. Proposers must submit with their

proposals the completed Attachment C Iran Divestment Act/ No Boycott of Israel.

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. Proposers must submit

with their proposals the completed Attachment C Iran Divestment Act/ No 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 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) Contract, (2) Request

for Proposal (3) Contractor’s Response, (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, right of offset, 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.

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 their signed bid or proposal that they are

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 TERMINATION: County may terminate this agreement with or without cause at any time. In the event of

termination by either party, fees due for services satisfactorily performed or goods accepted prior to the

termination date shall be paid. In the event Contractor intends to interrupt or discontinue service under this

Contract, Contractor agrees to give Knox County at least one hundred twenty (120) business days’ advance

written notice of said interruption or discontinuance of service prior to interrupting or discontinuing same. Any

interruption or discontinuance of service without said advance notice shall constitute a material breach of this

Contract.

2.23 WARRANTY: Contractor warrants to Knox County that all items delivered and all services rendered shall

conform to the specifications, drawings, proposal 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

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Name of Solicitation	Number	Deadline Due Date	Buyer	Attachments
Professional Services for Regional Preparedness Workshops, Training & Family Assistance Ctr	3739	05-27-26	Taylor Childress (865) 215-5774	Click Here for the Solicitation Click Here for the Addendum I