NIGP 71073: Hearing Devices (see 710-72 for Hearing Aids)

NIGP 71073 Hearing Devices, an Item code, encompasses procurement of hearing aid components, parts, repair services, and hearing screening equipment that state and local governments source for institutional programs serving individuals with hearing loss and developmental disabilities. The code captures both consumable and durable medical equipment—from Cochlear hearing aid parts and repair services to otoacoustic emissions screening devices and bulk special education supplies catalogs that include hearing-related products. State and local buying extends across special education cooperatives, state health agencies, state departments serving deaf and blind populations, schools, and health-focused institutions. Issuing bodies include regional purchasing cooperatives serving multiple school districts, state health and human services departments, state divisions of purchasing, and specialized schools like the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Cooperative purchasing vehicles dominate the activity, with vendors expected to service multiple member jurisdictions through master catalogs and blanket purchasing agreements.

Recent solicitations span Texas, Utah, Florida, and the Region 7 Purchasing Cooperative serving member organizations across its footprint. Region 7 Purchasing Cooperative issued an Invitation for Catalog Discount Bid (SPE2628) in August 2026 for special education and supplies with an October 1, 2026 response date and a two-year estimated contract value of $2,713,541; the cooperative previously awarded 99 vendors, signaling multi-vendor awards. The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind issued a single-source procurement (SS16603) in August 2026 for Cochlear hearing aid parts and repair services with an estimated not-to-exceed value of $19,999.99. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued a Request for Proposals (HHS0017173) in May 2026 for Durable Medical Equipment and Services across eleven geographic regions, with hearing aids and communication aids as one of eleven DME categories, a contract ceiling of $5,000,000 over five years, and a 21.1 percent HUB utilization set-aside requirement. The State of Utah Division of Purchasing issued an RFP (BB26-26) in April 2026 for otoacoustic emissions hearing screening equipment with a May 1, 2026 response date and a $28,000 maximum budget.