RFP_Release_Notice_33501-267602.pdf

This is an RFP Release Notice from the State of Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance soliciting proposals for contractor licensure examination development and administration services. The solicitation (RFP 33501-267602) seeks a contractor to develop and administer examinations for three license types: Contractors, Limited License Electricians, and Limited License Plumbers. The state anticipates administering approximately 24,193 Contractor examinations, 8,371 Limited License Electrician examinations, and 1,917 Limited License Plumber examinations over the contract term. Required services include examination development, item banking, multiple exam versions, in-person and online proctored testing administration, candidate support, and score reporting. The contractor must establish full-time testing centers in Nashville (five days per week) and part-time centers in Knoxville and Memphis (two days per week), with monthly testing availability in Bristol, Chattanooga, Jackson, Johnson City, and Kingsport. A pre-response conference is scheduled for March 9, 2026, with a written questions deadline of March 13, 2026, and proposals due April 7, 2026. Technical evaluation is anticipated by April 28, 2026, cost proposal opening on April 29, 2026, and Notice of Intent to Award on May 1, 2026. The resulting contract shall be effective for sixty months beginning July 1, 2026, with no renewal options specified.

This is a performance-based, fee-for-service contract where the State incurs no direct costs and the contractor retains all examination fees collected directly from candidates. The contractor must charge fixed per-examination fees that remain unchanged throughout the contract term and must cover all examination development, administration, score reporting, candidate support, and indirect costs. The contractor must maintain NASCLA accreditation as either an Accredited Examination Provider or Approved Administration Provider. The RFP evaluation is weighted across three categories: General Qualifications and Experience (30 points), Technical Qualifications, Experience and Approach (40 points), and Cost Proposal (30 points). No set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or incumbent vendor information are identified in the available documentation. Prospective contractors should contact DeRenne Raley, Sourcing Account Specialist, at (615) 251-5173 or DeRenne.Raley@tn.gov for additional information.