The Review, Consultation, and Formal Written Opinions of Home Inspector Reports for the Tennessee Home Inspector Licensing Program - UPDATED

09-18-25 RFP

STATE OF TENNESSEE
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR
THE REVIEW, CONSULTATION, AND FORMAL WRITTEN
OPINIONS OF HOME INSPECTOR REPORTS F OR THE
TENNESSEE HOME INSPECTOR LICENSING PROGRAM

RFP # 33501- 268001

RFP CONTENTS
SECTIONS:
1. INTRODUCTION
2. RFP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
3. RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
4. GENERAL CONTRACTING INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS
5. EVALUATION & CONTRACT AWARD
ATTACHMENTS:
6.1. Response Statement of Certifications & Assurances
6.2. Technical Response & Evaluation Guide
6.3. Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide
6.4. Reference Questionnaire
6.5. Score Summary Matrix
6.6. Pro Forma Contract

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1. INTRODUCTION

The State of Tennessee, Department of Commerce and Insurance, hereinafter referred to as “the State,”
issues this Request for Proposals (RFP) to define minimum contract requirements; solicit responses;
detail response requirements; and, outline the State’s process for evaluating responses and selecting a
contractor to provide the needed goods or services.

Through this RFP, the State seeks to procure necessary goods or services at the most favorable,
competitive prices and to give ALL qualified respondents an opportunity to do business with the state as
contractors, subcontractors or suppliers.

1.1. Statement of Procurement Purpose

The State of Tennessee, Department of Commerce and Insurance, Home Inspector Licensing Program
(the “Program”) seeks to procure one (1) contract for the provision of the review, consultation, and formal written opinions of specific home inspection reports from East Tennessee, and one (1) contract for the
provision of the review, consultation, and formal written opinions of specific home inspection reports from
West Tennessee.

In the event the Program receives a complaint from a consumer concerning a home inspector and/or a home inspector report, and it is not clear whether the home inspector violated the Standards of Practice set forth in Tenn. Comp. Rules & Regs. 0780- 05-12-.10, the Contractor of the resulting contract(s) will be asked
to review the complaint and any supporting documentation/pictures to determine whether a violation has or has not occurred. The Contractor will submit a report to the Program containing his/her opinion. All information required to complete the report will be sent electronically. The Contractor may also be required
to complete an on- site inspection of the property, but this is rare. The Contractor may also be required to
prepare reports for formal hearings of the Program and/or provide expert witness testimony at such hearings, including depositions.
For the purposes of this RFP, “ East Tennessee” shall be defined to include the following counties :

Anderson Hamblen Monroe
Bledsoe Hamilton Morgan
Blount Hancock Polk
Bradley Hawkins Rhea
Campbell Jefferson Roane
Carter Johnson Scott
Claiborne Knox Sevier
Cocke Loudon Sullivan
Cumberland McMinn Unicoi
Grainger Marion Union
Greene Meigs Washington
For the purposes of this RFP, “ West Tennessee” shall be defined to include the following counties :

Benton Gibson Lauderdale
Carroll Hardeman McNairy
Chester Hardin Madison
Crockett Haywood Obion
Decatur Henderson Shelby
Dyer Henry Tipton
Fayette Lake Weakley
1.1.2. The estimated Maximum Liability of each contract resulting from this RFP is anticipated to be between
fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) and twenty thousand dollars ($20,000).

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1.2. Scope of Service, Contract Period, & Required Terms and Conditions

The RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract details the State’s requirements:

 Scope of Services and Deliverables (Section A);
 Contract Period (Section B);
 Payment Terms (Section C);
 Standard Terms and Conditions (Section D); and,
 Special Terms and Conditions (Section E).

The pro forma contract substantially represents the contract document that the successful Respondent
must sign.

1.3. Nondiscrimination
No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in the performance of a Contract pursuant to this RFP or in the employment practices of the Contractor on the grounds of handicap or disability, age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other classification protected by federal, Tennessee state constitutional, or statutory law. The Contractor pursuant to this RFP shall, upon request, show proof of such nondiscrimination and shall post
in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.
1.4. RFP Communications

1.4.1. The State has assigned the following RFP identification number that must be referenced in all
communications regarding this RFP:

RFP # 33501- 268001
1.4.2. Unauthorized contact about this RFP with employees or officials of the State of Tennessee except as detailed below may result in disqualification from consideration under this
procurement process.

1.4.2.1. Prospective Respondents must direct communications concerning this RFP to the
following person designated as the Solicitation Coordinator :

Hailey Ramsey , Associate General Counsel
Department of Commerce and Insurance
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, Tennessee 37243 Telephone # (615) 253- 6414
ci.procurement@tn.gov

1.4.2.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Prospective Respondents may alternatively contact:

The following individual designated by the State to coordinate compliance with the
nondiscrimination requirements of the State of Tennessee, Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and associated federal
regulations:
Maliaka Bass, Deputy General Counsel
Department of Commerce and Insurance
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Telephone # (615) 741- 9594
Maliaka.bass@tn.gov

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1.4.3. Only the State’s official, written responses and communications with Respondents are binding with regard to this RFP. Oral communications between a State official and one or more Respondents are unofficial and non- binding.
1.4.4. Potential Respondents must ensure that the State receives all written questions and comments,
including questions and requests for clarification, no later than the Written Questions & Comments Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events .
1.4.5. Respondents must assume the risk of the method of dispatching any communication or response to the State. The State assumes no responsibility for delays or delivery failures resulting from the Respondent’s method of dispatch. Actual or digital “postmarking” of a communication or response
to the State by a specified deadline is not a substitute for the State’s actual receipt of a
communication or response. It is encouraged for Respondents to submit bids digitally.
1.4.6. The State will convey all official responses and communications related to this RFP to the prospective Respondents from whom the State has received a Notice of Intent to Respond (refer to RFP Sectio n 1.7).
1.4.7. The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the method of conveying official, written responses and communications related to this RFP. Such written communications may be transmitted by mail, hand- delivery, facsimile, electronic mail, Internet posting, or any other means
deemed reasonable by the State. For internet posting, please refer to the following website:

https://www.tn.gov/generalservices/procurement/central -procurement -office--cpo- /supplier -
information/request -for-proposals --rfp--opportunities1.html .
1.4.8. The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the appropriateness and adequacy
of responses to written comments, questions, and requests related to this RFP. The State’s official,
written responses will constitute an amendment of this RFP.
1.4.9. Any data or factual information provided by the State (in this RFP, an RFP amendment or any other communication relating to this RFP) is for informational purposes only. The State will make reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of such data or information, however it is the Respondent’s obligation to independently verify any data or information provided by the State. The State expressly disclaims the accuracy or adequacy of any information or data that it provides to
prospective Respondents.

1.5. Assistance to Respondents With a Handicap or Disability

Prospective Respondents with a handicap or disability may receive accommodation relating to the communication of this RFP and participating in the RFP process. Prospective Respondents may contact
the Solicitation Coordinator to request such reasonable accommodation no later than the Disability
Accommodation Request Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

1.6. Respondent Required Review & Waiver of Objections

1.6.1. Each prospective Respondent must carefully review this RFP, including but not limited to,
attachments, the RFP Attachment 6.6., Pro Forma Contract , and any amendments, for questions,
comments, defects, objections, or any other matter requiring clarification or correction (collectively
called “questions and comments”).
1.6.2. Any prospective Respondent having questions and comments concerning this RFP must provide
them in writing to the State no later than the Written Questions & Comments Deadline detailed in
the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.

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1.6.3. Protests based on any objection to the RFP shall be considered waived and invalid if the objection
has not been brought to the attention of the State, in writing, by the Written Questions & Comments
Deadline.
1.7. Notice of Intent to Respond
Before the Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events,
prospective Respondents should submit to the Solicitation Coordinator a Notice of Intent to Respond (in
the form of a simple e- mail or other written communication). Such notice should include the following
information:

 the business or individual’s name (as appropriate) ;
 a contact person’s name and title; and
 the contact person’s mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e -mail address .

A Notice of Intent to Respond creates no obligation and is not a prerequisite for submitting a
response, however, it is necessary to ensure receipt of any RFP amendments or other notices and
communications relating to this RFP.

1.8. Response Deadline

A Respondent must ensure that the State receives a response no later than the Response Deadline time
and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. The State will not accept late responses,
and a Respondent’s failure to submit a response before the deadline will result in disqualification of the
response. It is the responsibility of the Respondent to ascertain any additional security requirements with
respect to packaging and delivery to the State of Tennessee. Respondents should be mindful of any
potential delays due to security screening procedures , weather, or other filing delays whether foreseeable
or unforeseeable.

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2. RFP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

2.1. The following RFP Schedule of Events represents the State’s best estimate for this RFP.

EVENT
TIME
(central time zone) DATE

1. RFP Issued October 8, 2025
2. Disability Accommodation Request Deadline 2:00 p.m. October 15, 2025
3. Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline 2:00 p.m. October 17, 2025
4. Written “Questions & Comments” Deadline 2:00 p.m. October 22, 2025
5. State Response to Written “Questions & Comments” October 28, 2025
6. Response Deadline 2:00 p.m. November 7, 2025
7. State Completion of Technical Response Evaluations November 21, 2025
8. State Opening & Scoring of Cost Proposals 2:00 p.m. November 24, 2025
9. State Notice of Intent to Award Released and
RFP Files Opened for Public Inspection 2:00 p.m. November 25, 2025
10. End of Protest Period December 2, 2025
11. State sends contract to Contractor for signature December 3, 2025
12. Contractor Signature Deadline 2:00 p.m. December 10, 2025

2.2. The State reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to adjust the RFP Schedule of Events as it deems necessary. Any adjustment of the Schedule of Events shall constitute an RFP amendment, and the State will communicate such to prospective Respondents from whom the State has received a Notice of Intent to Respond (refer to section 1.7 ).

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3. RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

3.1. Response Form

A response to this RFP must consist of two parts, a Technical Response and a Cost Proposal.

3.1.1. Technical Response. RFP Attachment 6.2., Technical Response & Evaluation Guide provides
the specific requirements for submitting a response. This guide includes mandatory requirement items, general qualifications and experience items, and technical qualifications, experience, and approach items all of which must be addressed with a written response and, in some instances,
additional documentation.

NOTICE: A technical response must not include any pricing or cost information.
If any pricing or cost information amounts of any type (even pricing relating to
other projects) is included in any part of the technical response, the state may
deem the response to be non- responsive and reject it.

3.1.1.1. A Respondent should duplicate and use the RFP Attachment 6.2., Technical Response
& Evaluation Guide to organize, reference, and draft the Technical Response by
duplicating the attachment, adding appropriate page numbers as required, and using the guide as a table of contents covering the Technical Response.

3.1.1.2. A response should be economically prepared, with emphasis on completeness and
clarity. A response, as well as any reference material presented, must be written in
English and must be written on standard 8 ½” x 11” pages (although oversize exhibit s
are permissible) and use a 12 point font for text. All response pages must be numbered.
3.1.1.3. All information and documentation included in a Technical Response should correspond to or address a specific requirement detailed in the RFP Attachment 6.2., Technical
Response & Evaluation Guide. All information must be incorporated into a response to
a specific requirement and clearly referenced. Any information not meeting these criteria will be deemed extraneous and will not contribute to evaluations.
3.1.1.4. The State may determine a response to be non- responsive and reject it if:

a. the Respondent fails to organize and properly reference the Technical Response as required by this RFP and the RFP Attachment 6.2., Technical Response & Evaluation Guide; or

b. the Technical Response document does not appropriately respond to, address, or
meet all of the requirements and response items detailed in the RFP Attachment
6.2., Technical Response & Evaluation Guide.

3.1.2. Cost Proposal . A Cost Proposal must be recorded on an exact duplicate of the RFP Attachment
6.3., Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide.

NOTICE: If a Respondent fails to submit a cost proposal exactly as required, the
State may deem the response to be non -responsive and reject it.

3.1.2.1. A Respondent must only record the proposed cost exactly as required by the RFP
Attachment 6.3., Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide and must NOT record any other rates,
amounts, or information .

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3.1.2.2. The proposed cost shall incorporate ALL costs for services under the contract for the
total contract period, including any renewals or extensions.

3.1.2.3. A Respondent must sign and date the Cost Proposal.

3.1.2.4. A Respondent must submit the Cost Proposal to the State in a sealed package separate
from the Technical Response (as detailed in RFP Sections 3.2.3., et seq. ).

3.2. Response Delivery

3.2.1. A Respondent must ensure that both the Technical Response and Cost Proposal files meet all form and content requirements, including all required signatures, as detailed within this RFP.
3.2.2. A Respondent must submit their response as specified in one of the two formats below.
3.2.2.1. Digital Media Submission
3.2.2.1.1. Technical Response
The Technical Response document should be in the form of one (1) digital document in
“PDF” format properly recorded on its own otherwise blank, standard CD -R recordable
disc or USB flash drive and should be clearly identified as the:
“RFP # 33501-26 8001 TECHNICAL RESPONSE ORIGINAL”

and One (1) digital cop y of the Technical Response each in the form of one (1) digital
document in “PDF” format properly recorded on its own otherwise blank, standard CD -
R recordable disc or USB flash drive clearly labeled:

“RFP # 33501-26 8001 TECHNICAL RESPONSE COPY”

The customer references should be delivered by each reference in accordance with RFP Attachment 6.4. Reference Questionnaire.

3.2.2.1.2. Cost Proposal :
The Cost Proposal should be in the form of one (1) digital document in “PDF” or “XLS” format properly recorded on a separate, otherwise blank, standard CD -R recordable
disc or USB flash drive clearly labeled:
“RFP # 33501-26 8001 COST PROPOSAL”

An electronic or facsimile signature, as applicable, on the Cost Proposal is acceptable.

3.2.2.2. E-mail Submission
3.2.2.2.1. Technical Response
The Technical Response document should be in the form of one (1) digital document in
“PDF” format or other easily accessible digital format attached to an e- mail to the
Solicitation Coordinator. Both the subject and file name should be clearly identified as
follows:
“RFP # 33501-26 8001 TECHNICAL RESPONSE”

The customer references should be delivered by each reference in accordance with RFP
Attachment 6.4. Reference Questionnaire.

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3.2.2.2.2. Cost Proposal :
The Cost Proposal should be in the form of one (1) digital document in “PDF” or “XLS”
format or other easily accessible digital format attached to an e- mail to the Solicitation
Coordinator. Both the subject and file name should be clearly identified as follows:
“RFP # 33501-26 8001 COST PROPOSAL”

An electronic or facsimile signature, as applicable, on the Cost Proposal is acceptable.
3.2.3. For e -mail submissions, the Technical Response and Cost Proposal documents must be
dispatched to the Solicitation Coordinator in separate e- mail messages. For digital media
submissions, a Respondent must separate, seal, package, and label the documents and copies for delivery as follows:
3.2.3.1. The Technical Response and copies must be placed in a sealed package that is clearly
labeled:

“DO NOT OPEN… RFP # 33501-26 8001 TECHNICAL RESPONSE FROM
[RESPONDENT LEGAL ENTITY NAME]”

3.2.3.2. The Cost Proposal must be placed in a separate, sealed package that is clearly
labeled:
“DO NOT OPEN… RFP # 33501-26 8001 COST PROPOSAL FROM [RESPONDENT
LEGAL ENTITY NAME]”

3.2.3.3. The separately, sealed Technical Response and Cost Proposal components may be enclosed in a larger package for mailing or delivery, provided that the outermost package is clearly labeled:
“RFP # 33501-26 8001 SEALED TECHNICAL RESPONSE & SEALED COST
PROPOSAL FROM [RESPONDENT LEGAL ENTITY NAME]”

3.2.3.4. Any Respondent wishing to submit a Response in a format other than digital may do so
by contacting the Solicitation Coordinator.

3.2.4. A Respondent must ensure that the State receives a response no later than the Response
Deadline time and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events at the following
address:
Hailey Ramsey , Associate General Counsel
Department of Commerce and Insurance
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Telephone # (615) 253- 6414
ci.procurement@tn.gov

3.3. Response & Respondent Prohibitions

3.3.1. A response must not include alternate contract terms and conditions. If a response contains such
terms and conditions, the State, at its sole discretion, may determine the response to be a non-
responsive counteroffer and reject it.

3.3.2. A response must not restrict the rights of the State or otherwise qualify either the offer to deliver
goods or provide services as required by this RFP or the Cost Proposal. If a response restricts the rights of the State or otherwise qualifies either the offer to deliver goods or provide services as

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required by this RFP or the Cost Proposal, the State, at its sole discretion, may determine the
response to be a non- responsive counteroffer and reject it.

3.3.3. A response must not propose alternative goods or services ( i.e., offer services different from those
requested and required by this RFP) unless expressly requested in this RFP. The State may
consider a response of alternative goods or services to be non- responsive and reject it.

3.3.4. A Cost Proposal must be prepared and arrived at independently and must not involve any collusion
between Respondents. The State will reject any Cost Proposal that involves collusion, consultation, communication, or agreement between Respondent s. Regardless of the time of
detection, the State will consider any such actions to be grounds for response rejection or contract termination.

3.3.5. A Respondent must not provide, for consideration in this RFP process or subsequent contract
negotiations, any information that the Respondent knew or should have known was materially
incorrect. If the State determines that a Respondent has provided such incorrect information, the State will deem the Response non- responsive and reject it.

3.3.6. A Respondent must not submit more than one Technical Response and one Cost Proposal in
response to this RFP, except as expressly requested by the State in this RFP . If a Respondent
submits more than one Technical Response or more than one Cost Proposal, the State will deem all of the responses non- responsive and reject them.

3.3.7. A Respondent must not submit a response as a prime contractor while also permitting one or more
other Respondents to offer the Respondent as a subcontractor in their own responses. Such may
result in the disqualification of all Respondents knowingly involved. This restriction does not,
however, prohibit different Respondents from offering the same subcontractor as a part of their responses (provided that the subcontractor does not also submit a response as a prime contractor).

3.3.8. The State shall not consider a response from an individual who is, or within the past six (6) months
has been, a State employee. For purposes of this RFP:

3.3.8.1. An individual shall be deemed a State employee until such time as all compensation for
salary, termination pay, and annual leave has been paid;
3.3.8.2. A contract with or a response from a company, corporation, or any other contracting entity in which a controlling interest is held by any State employee shall be considered to be a contract with or proposal from the employee; and
3.3.8.3. A contract with or a response from a company, corporation, or any other contracting entity that employs an individual who is, or within the past six (6) months has been, a State employee shall not be considered a contract with or a proposal from the employ ee and
shall not constitute a prohibited conflict of interest.
3.3.9. This RFP is also subject to Tenn. Code Ann. § 12-4- 101—105.
3.4. Response Errors & Revisions A Respondent is responsible for any and all response errors or omissions. A Respondent will not be allowed to alter or revise response documents after the Response Deadline time and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events unless such is formally requested, in writing, by the State.
3.5. Response Withdrawal
A Respondent may withdraw a submitted response at any time before the Response Deadline time and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events by submitting a written request signed by an authorized Respondent representative. After withdrawing a response, a Respondent may submit another
response at any time before the Response Deadline. After the Response Deadline, a Respondent may

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only withdraw all or a portion of a response where the enforcement of the response would impose an
unconscionable hardship on the Respondent.
3.6. Additional Services
If a response offers goods or services in addition to those required by and described in this RFP, the State, at its sole discretion, may add such services to the contract awarded as a result of this RFP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Respondent must not propose any additional cost amounts or rates for
additional goods or services. Regardless of any additional services offered in a response, the
Respondent’s Cost Proposal must only record the proposed cost as required in this RFP and must not
record any other rates, amounts, or information.
NOTICE: If a Respondent fails to submit a Cost Proposal exactly as required, the State may deem the response non -responsive and reject it.

3.7. Response Preparation Costs
The State will not pay any costs associated with the preparation, submittal, or presentation of any
response.

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4. GENERAL CONTRACTING INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS

4.1. RFP Amendment The State at its sole discretion may amend this RFP, in writing, at any time prior to contract award.
However, prior to any such amendment, the State will consider whether it would negatively impact the
ability of potential Respondents to meet the respons e deadline and revise the RFP Schedule of Events if
deemed appropriate. If an RFP amendment is issued, the State will convey it to potential Respondents who submitted a Notice of Intent to Respond (refer to RFP Section 1.7). A response must address the final RFP (including its attachments) as amended.

4.2. RFP Cancellation

The State reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel the RFP or to cancel and reissue this RFP in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
4.3. State Right of Rejection

4.3.1. Subject to applicable laws and regulations, the State reserves the right to reject, at its sole discretion, any and all responses.

4.3.2. The State may deem as non- responsive and reject any response that does not comply with all
terms, conditions, and performance requirements of this RFP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the State reserves the right to waive, at its sole discretion, minor variances from full compliance with this RFP. If the State waives variances in a response, such waiver shall not modify the RFP requirements or excuse the Respondent from full compliance, and the State may hold any resulting Contractor to strict compliance w ith this RFP.

4.4. Assignment & Subcontracting

4.4.1. The Contractor may not subcontract, transfer, or assign any portion of the Contract awarded as a
result of this RFP without prior approval of the State. The State reserves the right to refuse approval, at its sole discretion, of any subcontract, transfer, or assignment.

4.4.2. If a Respondent intends to use subcontractors, the response to this RFP must specifically identify
the scope and portions of the work each subcontractor will perform (refer to RFP Attachment 6.2., Section B, General Qualifications & Experience Item B.14. ).
4.4.3. Subcontractors identified within a response to this RFP will be deemed as approved by the State unless the State expressly disapproves one or more of the proposed subcontractors prior to signing
the Contract.

4.4.4. After contract award, a Contractor may only substitute an approved subcontractor at the discretion of the State and with the State’s prior, written approval.

4.4.5. Notwithstanding any State approval relating to subcontracts, the Respondent who is awarded a
contract pursuant to this RFP will be the prime contractor and will be responsible for all work under the Contract.
4.5. Right to Refuse Personnel or Subcontractors

The State reserves the right to refuse, at its sole discretion and notwithstanding any prior approval, any
personnel of the prime contractor or a subcontractor providing goods or services in the performance of a contract resulting from this RFP. The State will document in writing the reason(s) for any rejection of
personnel.

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4.6. Insurance

The State will require the awarded Contractor to provide a Certificate of Insurance issued by an insurance
company licensed or authorized to provide insurance in the State of Tennessee. Each Certificate of
Insurance shall indicat e current insurance coverages meeting minimum requirements as may be specified
by this RFP. A failure to provide a current, Certificate of Insurance will be considered a material breach and grounds for contract termination.

4.7. Professional Licensure and Department of Revenue Registration

4.7.1. All persons, agencies, firms, or other entities that provide legal or financial opinions, which a
Respondent provides for consideration and evaluation by the State as a part of a response to this RFP, shall be properly licensed to render such opinions.

4.7.2. Before the Contract resulting from this RFP is signed, the apparent successful Respondent (and
Respondent employees and subcontractors, as applicable) must hold all necessary or appropriate business or professional licenses to provide the goods or services as required by the contract. The State may require any Respondent to submit evidence of proper licensure.
4.7.3. Before the Contract resulting from this RFP is signed, the apparent successful Respondent must
be registered with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for the collection of Tennessee sales and use tax. The State shall not award a contract unless the Respondent provides proof of such registration or provides documentation from the Department of Revenue that the Contractor is exempt from this registration requirement. The foregoing is a mandatory requirement of an award
of a contract pursuant to this solicitation. To register, please visit the Department of Revenue’s
Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP) website for Online Registration and the Vendor
Contract Questionnaire. These resources are available at the following: https://tntap.tn.gov/eservices/_/#1

4.8. Disclosure of Response Contents

4.8.1. All materials submitted to the State in response to this RFP shall become the property of the State of Tennessee.
Respondents are cautioned not to provide any materials in response to this RFP
that are trade secrets, as defined under Tenn. Code Ann. § 47- 25-1702 and any other applicable
law. By submitting a response to this RFP, the respondent acknowledges and agrees that the State shall have no liability whatsoever for disclosure of a trade secret under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, as provided at Tenn. Code Ann. § 47- 25-1701 -1709, or under any other applicable law.
Selection or rejection of a response does not affect this right. By submitting a response, a Respondent acknowledges and accepts that the full response contents and associated documents will become open to public inspection in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee.
4.8.2. The State will hold all response information, including both technical and cost information, in
confidence during the evaluation process.

4.8.3. Upon completion of response evaluations, indicated by public release of a Notice of Intent to Award, the responses and associated materials will be open for review by the public in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7- 504(a)(7).

4.9. Contract Approval and Contract Payments

4.9.1. After contract award, the Contractor who is awarded the contract must submit appropriate
documentation with the Department of Finance and Administration, Division of Accounts.
4.9.2. This RFP and its contractor selection processes do not obligate the State and do not create rights,
interests, or claims of entitlement in either the Respondent with the apparent best -evaluated
response or any other Respondent. State obligations pursuant to a contract award shall commence

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