Committee hears RFP plan for West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center; recommends no MWBE goal

James Rogers, contract manager for the Shelby County Health Department, briefed the Goal Setting Committee on plans to issue an RFP for operation and management services at the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center. Rogers said the department is requesting $7,000,000 to operate the center, which covers 13 West Tennessee counties, is located at 637 Poplar, employs about 25 people (including seven pathologists), and performs roughly 2,000 cases a year.

Rogers told the committee that University of Tennessee Health Science Center currently manages the operation under a contract that costs about $5,000,000 per year and that the market of qualified vendors is small because firms must meet National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) accreditation standards. He said prospective management vendors would likely oversee hiring and operations rather than replace existing staff. Because of the technical specialization and accreditation requirements, ELC recommended a no-MWBE goal for this procurement and the committee accepted that recommendation.

Committee members asked about prior contract cost comparisons and vendor locations; Rogers said costs appeared to be increasing and that more vendors are located out of state but would serve in a management role. Wilman confirmed the item required discussion only and not a formal vote. The committee directed staff to proceed with the RFP process and to record the recommendation of no MWBE goal on the procurement record.