Adult Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Social Media Initiative

in a single file on a
flash drive format.
1.9 DECLARATIVE STATEMENTS: 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 proposal being
considered non-responsive and disqualified.
1.10 ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF PROPOSALS: Knox County's Procurement Division will not accept electronically
transmitted proposals. Email and Facsimile submissions are strictly prohibited. Due to the nature of the information
requested, all submissions shall be in written format.
1.11 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.
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The system allows for online vendor registration and maintenance, electronic receipt of purchase orders, online
retrieval and submittal of quotes, bids and proposals for our vendor-clients and online 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 please go to our website at
www.knoxcounty.org/procurement, register as a vendor in our online 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 subsection 1.1 of this document.
1.12 INCURRED COSTS: Knox County will not be responsible for any costs incurred by the proposer in the preparation of their
proposal.
1.13 MULTIPLE PROPOSALS: Knox County will consider multiple proposals that meet specifications.
1.14 NON-COLLUSION: Proposers, 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. The first is the use of
Purchase Orders. These Purchase Orders will be issued from Knox County Procurement Division via email. 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 E-Commerce Card (VISA). Orders placed with the credit card
will list the same information as the Purchase Order. Vendors will be given the card information and approval to
process the transactions by the requesting department. Vendors must indicate in their proposal if the vendor will
accept the Knox County E-Commerce Card (VISA) as a form of payment. Proposers are prohibited to charge Knox
County any type of merchant fee from their financial institution to accept this type of payment.
1.16 POSSESSION OF WEAPONS: All vendors, 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) calendar days is 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. Knox County shall not be responsible for technical difficulties experienced
by vendors trying to register less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the proposal closing time.
Submittals 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 Proposals 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
proposing procedures must be received in the Procurement Division by 4:30 P.M. local time on September 10,
2026. These requirements also apply to specifications that are ambiguous.
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1.22 SIGNING OF PROPOSALS: In order to be considered, all proposals must be signed. Please sign the original in
blue ink. By signing the proposal document, the vendor acknowledges and accepts the terms and conditions
stated in the proposal document.
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 AND TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATIONAL AMENDMENT OF 1972:
“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. It is the policy of
Knox County Government that all its services and activities be administered in conformance with the requirements
of Title VI and Title IX.
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
regard 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 USE OF PROPOSAL FORMS: Vendors must complete the proposal forms contained in the proposal package. Failure to
complete the proposal forms may result in proposal rejection.
1.27 VENDOR DEFAULT: Knox County reserves the right, in case of vendor default, to procure the articles or services
from other sources and hold the defaulting vendor responsible for any excess costs occasioned thereby. Should
vendor default be due to a failure to perform or because of a request for a price increase, Knox County reserves
the right to remove the vendor from the County's bidder’s list for twenty-four (24) months.
1.28 VENDOR REGISTRATION: Prior to the closing of this proposal, ALL PROPOSERS must be registered with the
Procurement Division. Please register online at our website at www.knoxcounty.org/procurement and click on
“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.
1.29 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: Vendor 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.
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Such records shall not include those books, documents and accounting records that represent the Vendor'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 Proposals, 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 response, 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 on the list created
pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 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 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.
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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 individual trait found to be and 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. The 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
that 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) Written Contract, (2) Request for
Proposals, (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, and right of set-off, 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 and warehoused.
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 its proposal or proposal and signature, it is 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 TENNESSEE PROCUREMENT PROTECTION ACT: By submission of this bid or proposal, each bidder/proposer
and each person signing on behalf of any bidder/proposer certifies, and in the case of a joint bid or proposal each
party thereto certifies as to its own organization, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of its knowledge and belief
the bidder/proposer is not a “foreign adversary company” as defined in the Tennessee Procurement Protection Act,
Tennessee Code Annotated § 4-56-201 and is in compliance with the requirements of said Act.
2.23 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 the Contract.
SECTION III SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
3.1 INTENT: The intent of the solicitation is to set forth and convey to prospective proposers the general requirements for
providing Knox County Health Department (hereafter referred to as KCHD) with a qualified public health
communication contractor to design, implement and evaluate an adult overdose prevention campaign. Award will
be based on Best Value. Best Value means more than low cost. It includes initial cost, service quality and other
factors detailed herein.
3.2 ACCEPTANCE: Vendors are advised that the payment of an invoice does not necessarily constitute an acceptance of
services that are provided. Acceptance requires a specific written action by Knox County so stating.
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3.3 ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS: Knox County reserves the right to add services as the need arises or to delete
services that have become obsolete or no longer in demand. If services are to be added, Knox Coun