NIGP 80070: Shoes, Orthopedic

NIGP 80070 Shoes, Orthopedic (Item) encompasses evaluation, provision, fitting, modification, repair, and delivery of orthopedic footwear—including branded models such as Drew Navigator, Xelero Matrix, Dr Comfort, and Pedors shoes—as well as related orthotic services such as custom molding, prefabricated devices, and shoe modifications (soles, heels, lifts, rocker soles, bolsters). State and local governments procure these services primarily through state health agencies serving facility residents at state-supported living centers, and through municipal procurement for safety footwear programs across multiple service departments. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is the dominant repeat buyer, issuing multiple invitation-for-bids (IFBs) concurrently for orthopedic and orthotic services across its facility network. The City of Fort Worth has also recently sought proposals for an "as needed" safety footwear supply contract with an orthopedic category component. Vendors must typically hold state certification as external orthotic providers or maintain relevant licensure or accreditation (such as certified prosthetist-orthotist credentials); HHSC solicitations require minimum three years of relevant experience with three verifiable references and one year of assigned-personnel experience. Insurance requirements typically include commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), professional liability, and workers' compensation.

Recent activity concentrates in Texas. HHSC issued IFB HHS0017599v2 (posted July 16, 2026, due July 30, 2026) for orthotic equipment and services at Mexia State Supported Living Center with a prior-year spend of $45,000 and firm fixed-price contracting on an all-inclusive basis; responses to questions were posted as an addendum on July 27, 2026. HHSC simultaneously issued IFB HHS0017707 (posted July 15, 2026, due July 30, 2026) for orthopedic shoes and orthotics at Richmond State Supported Living Center, specifying branded product models and unit-basis pricing with best-value evaluation; an addendum with question responses was posted July 24, 2026. HHSC also released IFB HHS0017542-v2 (posted July 9, 2026, due July 24, 2026) for orthotics and prosthetics at El Paso State Supported Living Center on a five-year base contract with four one-year renewal options. The City of Fort Worth issued RFP 26-0140 (posted April 22, 2026, due May 14, 2026) for safety footwear supply including orthopedic category on an as-needed, non-exclusive basis, requiring mobile fitting services and best-value evaluation weighted 25 points for mobile-service capability and 25 points for ability to meet City needs, with a 30 percent Small Business participation goal applicable to Tarrant County–region certified vendors.