Architectural Design Services

Agency:	Knox County
State:	Tennessee
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	C - Architect and Engineering Services - Construction
Posted:	Mar 11, 2024
Due:	Apr 11, 2024
Solicitation No:	3542
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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The Procurement Division of Knox County, Tennessee will receive sealed Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for

Architectural Design Services as specified herein. Qualifications must be received by 2:00 p.m. on April 11, 2024. Late

submittals will neither be considered nor returned.

Deliver Qualifications To:

Solicitation Number 3542

Knox County Procurement Division

Suite 100

1000 North Central Street

Knoxville, Tennessee 37917

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

SECTION I GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.1 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Knox County wants requests for additional information routed to Ben Sharbel,

CPPO, CPPB, Supervisor of Property Development and Asset Management, at 865.215-5765. Questions may be

emailed to ben.sharbel@knoxcounty.org. Information about the Knox County Procurement Division may be

obtained on the internet at www.knoxcounty.org/procurement.

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

potential fraud, waste, or abuse, please call 1-866-858-4443 (toll-free). You can also file a report online by

accessing http://www.knoxcounty.org/hotline/index.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.

1.3 BUSINESS OUTREACH PROGRAM: Knox County has established a Business Outreach Program which has the

responsibility of increasing opportunity for small, minority and women owned businesses. This is being

accomplished through community education programs, policy edification, active recruitment of interested

businesses and process re-engineering.

Knox County is committed to ensuring full and equitable participation for all disadvantaged businesses. Knox

County welcomes submittals from those disadvantaged businesses that have an interest in providing the goods

and/or services listed herein. In addition, Knox County strongly encourages the inclusion of disadvantaged

businesses by non-disadvantaged Contractors who may wish to partner or subcontract portions of this agreement

in order to accomplish the successful delivery of goods and/or services.

If you are a disadvantaged business and would like additional information about our Business Outreach Program,

please contact:

Diane Woods, Business Outreach Administrator

Knox County Procurement

Telephone: 865.215.5760

Fax: 865.215.5778

E-Mail: diane.woods@knoxcounty.org

1.4 CLOSURES: 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.

1.5 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Vendors must have read and complied with the “non-conflict of interest” statement

provided in the vendor registration process prior to the closing of this solicitation.

1.6 COPIES: Knox County requires that Qualifications being submitted be one (1) marked original and one (1) exact

copy. An electronic copy on CD/flash-drive, in one complete file, is also required.

1.7 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 the RFQ being

deemed non-responsive and disqualified.

1.8 ELECTRONICALLY SUBMIT RESPONSE: Due to the nature of this solicitation, Knox County’s Procurement

Division will not accept electronically transmitted responses through the County’s Online Procurement System.

Submission by facsimile or email is strictly prohibited.

1.9 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,

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.

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

preparation and submission of its RFQ in response to this solicitation, nor for the presentation of its qualifications

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.

1.11 NO CONTACT POLICY: After the date and time the firm receives this solicitation, any contact initiated by any firm

with any Knox County representative, other than the Procurement Division representative listed herein, concerning

this solicitation is strictly prohibited. Any such unauthorized contact may cause the disqualification of the firm from

this process. If the firm is found in violation of this section for any reason, it could result in debarment from Knox

County’s bidders’ list for twenty-four (24) months.

1.12 NON-COLLUSION: Vendors, by submitting a signed solicitation, certify that the accompanying submittal 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.

1.13 QUALIFICATIONS DELIVERY: Knox County requires vendors, when hand delivering Qualifications, 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. 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.

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

recycling efforts, request that RFQs be submitted on paper and shall:

• Be submitted on recycled paper

• Not include pages of unnecessary advertising

• Be made on both sides of each sheet of paper

1.15 SIGNING OF SUBMITTALS: In order to be considered all Submittals must be signed. Please sign the

original in blue ink. By signing the response document, the respondent acknowledges and accepts the term and

conditions stated in the Qualifications document. It is suggested that mailed Qualifications be sent by certified or

registered mail with return receipt requested or Qualifications sent via common carrier include tracking and delivery

confirmation.

1.16 TITLE VI OF THE 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.

1.17 VENDOR REGISTRATION: Prior to the closing of this solicitation, ALL INTERESTED FIRMS MUST be registered

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

must be completed and submitted via email to lindsay.stout@knoxcounty.org. Vendors must be registered with the

Procurement Division prior to submitting their qualifications.

1.18 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 sub-contract 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 three (3) 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 Qualifications, 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 RFQ, 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 responding firm is not on the list created

pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated Section 12-12-106.

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 respondent and each person signing on behalf of any respondent 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 respondent 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) Contract, (2) Request for Qualifications

(3) Contractor’s Response, (4) Award, (5) Special Terms and Conditions, (6) General Terms and Conditions, (7)

Specifications, (8) Drawings.

2.18 RECORDS: Contractor will maintain records of products and/or services provided to Knox County and make them

available on request.

2.19 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.

2.20 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.

2.21 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.

2.22 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 submittal 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.

2.23 TERMINATION: Knox County may terminate this agreement with or without cause, upon written notice of not less

than thirty (30) calendar days. In the event of termination by either party, fees due for services satisfactorily

performed or goods accepted prior to the terminationdate shall be paid.

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

to the specifications, drawings, qualifications, 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. Return of merchandise not meeting warranties shall be at contractor's expense.

SECTION III SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 SCOPE OF PROJECT: Knox County, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, seeks to retain the

services of a professional architectural firm to provide design services for the following project:

Hardin Valley Community Building

The Hardin Valley Community Building design is to be done in conjunction with Ardurra Group to assist in preliminary

design development of the Community Building at Hardin Valley Community Park. The building will include a

community room, enclosed storage area(s), kitchen, and bathrooms. Ardurra Group is completing the Master Plan

including Detailed Design and Development for the project. The successful firm will complete architectural drawings

and assist Ardurra Group in preliminary opinions of potential construction costs including grading, conceptual storm,

and utilities. The project is located at Hardin Valley Community Park, 12734 Hickory Creek Road, Knoxville, TN

37932. The full scope of the project shall be determined through programming with the Owner.

3.2 AWARD: Knox County intends to issue a one-time award and lump-sum contract. The Knox County Procurement

Division will draft the contract. Knox County will not accept any vendor’s contract. Vendors are cautioned that the

Knox County Mayor is the only individual who can legally bind Knox County to a contractual agreement. Knox

County reserves the right to purchase these items/services from other sources if the need arises. Knox County

reserves the right to revoke the award if a pattern of unavailability arises with the vendor.

3.3 COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE REGULATIONS: Successful firm agrees and covenants that the

company, its agents and employees will comply with all City, County, State and Federal codes, laws, ordinances,

rules and regulations applicable to the business to be conducted under this Contract. If the vendor performs any

work knowing it to be contrary to such codes, laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, the vendor shall bear all

costs arising from them.

3.4 CONTACT PERSONNEL: It shall be essential to the success of this Contract to develop a good working relationship

with the Contractor. It is imperative that the Knox County account be handled efficiently and professionally. Knox

County should be assigned no more than two (2) Contractor contacts to handle billing inquiries and service related

issues. In the event one (1) or both contacts leave the Knox County account, the Contractor shall formally introduce

the new contacts to County personnel. These contacts must be knowledgeable of the Knox County account to avoid

any interruption of service.

3.5 CONTRACT EXECUTION: It is the intent of Knox County to enter into a contract with the highest evaluated

respondent to negotiate the contract cost. The Contract may be voted on by Knox County Commission and must

receive a majority vote. The successful vendor may be required to be present at the Knox County Commission

Meetings to answer questions relating to the services performed. Adequate notification will be given by the Knox

County Procurement Division if the vendor will need to attend the meetings. The Knox County Procurement Division

will draft the Contract. Knox County will not accept any vendor’s contract. Vendors are hereby cautioned that the

Knox County Mayor is the only individual who can legally bind Knox County to a contractual agreement.

This is the opportunity summary page. You are currently viewing an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation. For more information, please visit the Publication URL Web page.

Name of Solicitation	Number	Deadline Due Date	Buyer	Attachments
Architectural Design Services	3542	04-11-24	Ben Sharbel (865) 215-5765	Click Here for the Solicitation

Architectural Design Services

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See also