ESBD_529736_1782912367161_HHS0017352 Addendum Acknowledgement.pdf

This is an Addendum Acknowledgement form for a solicitation issued by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) under Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. HHS0017352 for Mortality Resources and Services. The solicitation seeks bids for mortality resources and services to support public health emergencies and disasters, with a response deadline of July 17, 2026. The scope of work requires the contractor to establish and maintain a minimum of four strike teams, each staffed with four personnel including at least two licensed funeral directors and two non-licensed professionals trained in funeral services. Strike teams must be capable of deploying within 48 hours of notification and possess competencies in mortuary operations, body processing, remains transport, human remains identification, embalming, cremation, and family interface. The contractor must provide secure storage within a 125-mile radius of Waco for four DSHS-owned 32-foot mortuary trailers, submit quarterly maintenance reports, participate in preparedness and training exercises with 10 to 14 days' advance notice, and support the Texas Mass Fatality Operations Response Team (TMORT) if activated. The initial contract term runs from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, with three optional one-year renewals available through August 31, 2030 and a potential one-year extension.

Pricing must be firm and fixed for the entire contract life and include all labor, equipment, materials, supplies, and expenses. Strike team personnel compensation is capped at Federal Pay Scale rates, with licensed funeral directors not to exceed GS-12-Step 10 and non-licensed personnel not to exceed GS-8-Step 10. The contractor must demonstrate a minimum of two years' relevant experience and provide three verifiable references for similar contracts completed within the past ten years. Bids must be submitted in person at 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas, during office hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or through the optional HHS Online Bid Room. Insurance requirements include workers' compensation ($1 million employer's liability per occurrence), commercial general liability ($1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate), commercial automobile liability ($1 million combined single limit), professional liability ($1 million), and umbrella liability ($1 million). Historical spend for similar services from October 2022 through June 2026 totaled $269,485.68, with no volume guarantee provided. A Form 1295 Certificate of Interested Parties must be submitted prior to award if the award value exceeds $1 million. Price adjustments are permitted only at HHSC's discretion based on Bureau of Labor Statistics indices or federal minimum wage increases.