Rural Service Patrol - UPDATED

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is seeking a qualified Rural Service Patrol (RSP) provider to deliver comprehensive motorist assistance and Traffic Incident Management (TIM) support across approximately 874.2 miles of interstate highways. The Request for Proposals (RFP) 40100-51575 solicits a contractor to provide services Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. across multiple interstate routes including I-24, 40, 65, 75, 81, 140, 269, and 840. The selected vendor must provide vehicles, personnel, equipment, and services such as assisting stranded motorists, relocating disabled vehicles, providing basic first aid, and managing traffic during incidents. Evaluation criteria will include technical qualifications, experience, oral presentations, and cost proposals, with a performance-based contracting approach. Key dates include a pre-response conference on September 8, 2025, proposal responses due by October 15, 2025, and an anticipated contract award on November 17, 2025. The contract duration is 62 months, with comprehensive requirements for vehicle specifications, personnel qualifications, training certifications, and insurance coverage.

The RFP does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The cost proposal allows for both required and optional services, with optional components including debris removal systems, electronic LED flares, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, trailer-mounted attenuators, and tethered unmanned aerial systems. While a specific total contract value is not explicitly stated, the compensation structure includes hourly rates for project managers, supervisors, operators, and on-call personnel, along with a mobilization, management, and administration lump sum. The state reserves the right to adjust service areas, operational hours, and contract terms, and may impose liquidated damages for non-compliance. The cost proposal document emphasizes that evaluation factors do not guarantee specific work volumes, and the state is not obligated to request services at any predetermined dollar amount. Respondents must submit proposals in U.S. currency, with cost proposals valid for 120 days and requiring signature from an authorized representative empowered to bind the respondent.