Tennessee State Parks Exhibit Improvements - UPDATED

The State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and Conservation, is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit qualified vendors for the design, fabrication, and installation of updated interpretive exhibits at Tennessee State Parks. The primary objective is to modernize, standardize, and improve accessibility of non-personal interpretation throughout the park system, with the goal of becoming the nation's most accessible park system by 2030. Qualified vendors must demonstrate expertise in exhibit design and installation, possess valid Tennessee contractor licenses, maintain Department of Revenue registration, provide proof of absence of conflict of interest, and supply three references from different entities along with bank references. The RFQ will result in the selection of up to three vendors to enter into five-year contracts; when the State initiates specific exhibit projects, it will issue Task Orders to contracted vendors, who will then submit cost proposals with the lowest-cost proposal meeting all requirements receiving the award. The evaluation process occurs in two phases: Phase I applies pass/fail criteria to mandatory requirements, and Phase II employs a qualitative scoring model allocating 40 points maximum for general qualifications and experience and 60 points maximum for technical qualifications, experience, and approach, with a minimum score of 60 required for competitive range eligibility. Critical deadlines include a pre-response conference on February 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. central time via Microsoft Teams; Notice of Intent to Respond deadline of March 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.; written questions due March 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.; RFQ response deadline of April 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.; Notice of Intent to Award on April 15, 2026; protest period ending April 22, 2026; and contractor signature deadline of April 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

The RFQ does not identify any specific set-asides or restrictions limiting responses to particular organization types or disadvantaged enterprises. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are referenced in the procurement documents. Compensation for Task Orders is structured with Phase 1 (Planning and Development) and Phase 2 (Design) capped at 25 percent each of the total Task Order amount, while Phases 3 (Fabrication) and 4 (Installation) are not subject to caps. The estimated total budget for exhibit projects over the five-year contract period is $5 million, distributed among up to three selected contractors through individual Task Orders. No minimum contract volume is guaranteed to any selected vendor. The State reserves the right to award contracts without further discussion, conduct clarifications or negotiations with qualified respondents, and terminate contracts for convenience with 30 days' notice or for cause immediately.