Understanding Jefferson County's Pharmacy Services RFP: What It Means for Your Loved One's Medications

Jefferson County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Inmate Pharmacy Services at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility. The county is asking qualified pharmacy providers to submit bids to supply prescription and over-the-counter medications for inmates, plus the services needed to manage that work.

Vendor Quals

• ✓ Been in business for at least 10 years and have experience providing pharmaceutical services to institutions (like correctional facilities, nursing homes, or similar settings) that operate a fully automated pharmacy
• ✓ Be properly licensed in the State of Tennessee and be in good standing with Jefferson County
• ✓ Be an FDA Repackager, or use the services of an FDA Repackager, to meet federal requirements for Correctional Health stock medications

The RFP also expects the pharmacy vendor to be easy to reach and accountable day to day. The awarded vendor must appoint a primary contact (and a back-up) who’s readily available during normal work hours by phone or in person, and who understands the contract terms and procedures. If problems come up - questions about service, deliveries, or how the contract is being handled - this is the person the county can go to.

Jefferson County prefers a pharmacy within 25 miles of the Jefferson County Correctional Facility at 765 Justice Center Drive, Dandridge, TN 37725. The goal is simple: keep the provider close enough to support the facility reliably.

The county requires specific insurance from vendors. The RFP calls for $150,000 in employee dishonesty coverage (covering theft and misappropriation) and $1,000,000 in general liability and errors and omissions coverage. Policies must also name Jefferson County as an additional insured where applicable - a standard safeguard if something goes wrong.

The RFP lays out a clear timeline for how the county collects proposals and moves toward a decision. The issue date is 09/12/2024. Questions from bidders are due by 4:00pm ET on 09/19/2024, and the county’s answers are due by 4:00pm ET on 09/24/2024. Final proposals are due - and will be opened - at 10:00am ET on 10/03/2024. The county also states that sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00am ET on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at which time bids will be opened in the Finance Department conference room.

Once a vendor is selected, pharmacy services must begin no later than November 1, 2024 (or earlier if a contract is signed sooner). For families, this means the county has locked in a firm start date for whoever will be supplying medications to the facility.