Project Information

Bid Title

Drug and Alcohol Testing Services

Issuing Agency

Knox County

Location

Tennessee

Published Date

May 29, 2026

Closing Date

Jul 1, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

3748

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Name of Solicitation	Number	Deadline Due Date	Buyer	Attachments
Drug and Alcohol Testing Services	3748	07-01-26	Rachel Cabrera (865) 215-5751	Click Here for the Solicitation

Attachment Preview

The Procurement Division of Knox County, Tennessee will receive sealed bids for the provision of Drug & Alcohol Testing

Services as specified herein. Bids must be received by 2:00 p.m. on July 1, 2026. Late bids will neither be considered nor

returned.

Deliver Bids To:

Bid Number 3748

Knox County Procurement Division

1000 North Central Street, Suite 100

Knoxville, Tennessee 37917

The Bid Envelope Must Show the Company Name, Bid Number, Bid Name & Bid Opening Date

SECTION I GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.1 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Knox County wants requests for additional information routed to Rachel Cabrera,

Senior Procurement Analyst at 865.215.5751. Questions may be emailed to rachel.cabrera@knoxcounty.org. If you

have not heard from the Buyer in a reasonable amount of time, please call for further assistance. Information about

the Knox County Procurement Division and current solicitations may be obtained on the Internet at

www.knoxcounty.org/procurement.

1.2 ACCEPTANCE: Vendors shall hold their price firm and subject to acceptance by Knox County for a period of ninety

(90) business days from the date of the bid opening, unless otherwise indicated in their bid.

1.3 ALTERNATIVE BIDS: Knox County will not accept alternate bids (those not equal to specifications) unless

authorized by the Invitation for Bid (IFB).

1.4 AUDIT HOTLINE: Knox County has established an Audit Hotline to report potential fraud and waste. To report

potential fraud, waste or abuse, please file a report online by accessing

http://www.knoxcounty.org/audit/hotline.php. Vendors are hereby cautioned that this Audit Hotline does not

replace the Award Protest Procedures found in Section VI, Item M of the Knox County Procurement

Regulations.

1.5 AWARD: An award will be made to the most responsive, responsible bidder(s) meeting specifications, which

presents the product and service that is in the best interest of Knox County. Knox County reserves the right to

award this bid on an item-by-item basis, an all-or-none basis or by a multiple award. The evaluation criteria is listed

herein. Knox County also reserves the right to not award this bid.

1.6 BID DELIVERY: Knox County requires bidders, when hand delivering bids, 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 submittals delivered to addresses and 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. Electronic submissions are recorded electronically. Knox County shall not

be responsible for technical difficulties experienced by vendors trying to register, or submit their bid, electronically

less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the bid opening time.

Responses 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.

1.7 BIDS REQUESTED ON BRANDS OR EQUAL: Unit price bids are requested on products that equal or exceed the

quality and performance of the brands and model numbers listed. References to brand names, trade names, model

numbers or other descriptions peculiar to specific brand products are made to establish a required level of quality

and functional capabilities and are not intended to exclude other products of that level. Comparable products of

other manufacturers will be considered if proof of comparability is contained in their bid.

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Or Equal does not mean the manufacturing process, but rather that the item will perform in the manner needed by

the County. It shall be the responsibility of the bidders, including bidders whose product is referenced, to furnish

with their bid such specifications, catalog pages, brochures or other data as will provide an adequate basis for

determining the quality and functional capabilities of the product offered. Failure to provide this data may be

considered valid justification for rejection of their bid.

1.8 BUSINESS OUTREACH PROGRAM: The purpose of this program is to increase the opportunity for companies

doing business with Knox County by encouraging participation through site visits, providing education and support

regarding policies and procedures, and actively recruiting all interested suppliers.

1.9 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Vendors must have read and complied with the “Non-Conflict of Interest” statement

provided in the vendor registration process prior to the opening of this solicitation.

1.10 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 bid being non-

responsive and disqualified.

1.11 DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE: Vendors must identify the manufacturer and the specifications to which they are

submitting.

1.12 DUPLICATE COPIES: Knox County requires that bids be submitted as one (1) marked original and one (1) exact

copy. No additional copies are required when submitting electronically.

1.13 ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF BIDS: Knox County's Procurement Division will accept, and strongly

encourages, electronically transmitted bids. Email and Facsimile submission is strictly prohibited.

1.14 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. The system allows for on-line vendor registration and

maintenance, electronic receipt of purchase orders, on-line retrieval and submittal of quotes, bids and proposals for

our vendor-clients and on-line 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 we are urging you to please go to our website at www.knoxcounty.org/procurement,

register as a vendor in our on-line 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 Section 1.1 of this document.

1.15 INCURRED COSTS: Knox County will not be responsible for any costs incurred by the bidder in the preparation of

their bid.

1.16 NON-COLLUSION: Vendors, by submitting a signed bid or proposal, certify that the accompanying bid or 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.

1.17 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 bid response if the vendor

will accept the Knox County E-Commerce Card (VISA) as a form of payment. Bidders are prohibited to charge Knox

County any type of merchant fee from their financial institution to accept this type of payment.

1.18 POSSESSION OF WEAPONS: All vendors and 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.

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1.19 PROCESSING TIME FOR PAYMENT: Vendors are advised that a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days is required

to process invoices for payment.

1.20 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.

1.21 RECYCLING: Knox County, in its continuing efforts to lessen the amount of landfill waste and to further recycling

efforts, request that bids be sent electronically. Bids being submitted on paper shall:

1.21.1 Be submitted on recycled paper;

1.21.2 Not include pages of unnecessary advertising;

1.21.3 Be made on both sides of each sheet of paper.

1.22 RESTRICTIVE OR AMBIGUOUS SPECIFICATIONS: It is the responsibility of the prospective bidder to review the

entire Invitation for Bid (IFB) 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

bidding procedures must be received in the Procurement Division before June 18, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. local eastern

time. These requirements also apply to specifications that are ambiguous.

1.23 SIGNING OF BIDS: In order to be considered all bids must be signed. Please sign the original in blue ink.

By signing the bid document, the vendor acknowledges and accepts the terms and conditions stated in the bid

document. The submission of your electronic bid will be the acknowledgement of signature.

1.24 TAXES: Knox County purchases are not subject to taxation. Tax exemption certificates will be provided upon

request.

1.25 TERM BID AGREEMENTS: If this bid results in a term bid Contract with the vendor, Knox County must receive all

general price decreases that other similar customers receive.

1.26 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 et seq. 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.

1.27 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 regards to solicitations and closures:

1.27.1 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.

1.27.2 Other unforeseen circumstances shall be at the sole discretion of the Procurement Director.

1.27.3 Knox County shall not be liable for any commercial carrier’s decision regarding deliveries during any

unforeseen circumstances.

1.28 USE OF BID FORMS: Vendors must complete the bid forms contained in the bid package. Failure to complete the

bid forms may result in bid rejection. The use of any other form(s) may be just cause for disqualification.

1.29 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.

1.30 VENDOR REGISTRATION: Prior to the opening of this bid, ALL BIDDERS must be registered with the

Procurement Division. Please register on-line at our website at www.knoxcounty.org/procurement and click on

“KNOXBUYS” and then select “Online Vendor Registration.” Vendors must be registered with the Procurement

Division prior to submitting their bid. Knox County shall not be responsible for technical difficulties experienced by

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vendors trying to register or submit their bid electronically less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the bid opening

time.

1.31 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: Contractor 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. Such records

shall not include those books, documents and accounting records that represent the Contractor'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 CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK: Any and all contractors, subcontractors, successful vendors, vendor employees and

school employees agree to comply with Tennessee Code Annotated Section 49-5-413. Tennessee Code Annotated

Section 49-5-413 requires that all parties providing services at Knox County Schools must submit to a criminal

history records check at their expense. The criminal history check is to be conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of

Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation prior to permitting the party to have contact with students or

enter school grounds when students are present.

2.8 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 bidding.

2.9 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.

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2.10 INCORPORATION: All specifications, drawings, technical information, Invitation for Bids, Bid, 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.

2.11 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.

2.12 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.

2.13 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.

2.14 IRAN DIVESTMENT ACT: By submission of this bid, each bidder and each person signing on behalf of any bidder

certifies, and in the case of a joint bid each party thereto certifies as to its own organization, under penalty of perjury,

that to the best of its knowledge and belief that each bidder is not on the list created pursuant to Tennessee Code

Annotated § 12-12-106.

2.15 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.

2.16 NO BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL: Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 12, Chapter 4, Part 1, by submission of

a response to this solicitation, each bidder and each person signing on behalf of any bidder certifies, and in the

case of a joint response each party thereto as to its own organization, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of

its knowledge and belief that each person is not currently engaged in, and will not for the duration of the contract

engage in, a boycott of Israel.

2.17 NON-DISCRIMINATION AND NON-CONFLICT STATEMENT: Contractor agrees that no person on the grounds

of handicap, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any individual trait or characteristic found to be an

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. 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 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,

which 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.

2.18 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) Invitation for Bids,

(3) Bid, (4) Award, (5) Special Terms and Conditions, (6) General Terms and Conditions, (7) Specifications, (8)

Drawings.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541380Testing Laboratories
• NAICS 621511Medical Laboratories

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