ESBD_534512_1783089842937_TBON RFQ 507-26-001 for Registered Nurse Consulting Services.pdf

RFQ # 507-26-001

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES

CLASS-ITEM: 918-32

The Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) issues this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking to contract with a qualified individual with advanced practice registered nurse ("APRN") qualifications related to consulting services.

1. BACKGROUND

The mission of the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is to protect and promote the welfare of the people of Texas by ensuring that each person holding a license as a nurse in the State of Texas is competent to practice safely. The Board fulfills its mission through the regulation of the practice of nursing and the approval of nursing education programs. This mission, derived from the

Nursing Practice Act, supersedes the interest of any individual, the nursing profession, or any special interest group.

Acting in accordance with the highest standards of ethics, accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, and openness, the Texas Board of Nursing approaches its mission with a deep sense of purpose and responsibility and affirms that the regulation of nursing is public and private trust. The Board assumes a proactive leadership role in regulating nursing practice and nursing education. The Board serves as a catalyst for developing partnerships and promoting collaboration in addressing regulatory issues. The public and nursing community alike can be assured of a balanced and responsible approach to regulation.

Additional information regarding TBON is available on the agency website at www.bon.texas.gov.

The Board wishes to contract with an APRN to conduct application reviews for APRN licensure.

The increased volume of applications, approximately 7,500 annually, has placed pressure on staff to review and resolve them within appropriate time frames. More specifically, this APRN consultant will advise on complex APRN license applications and may make policy/rule recommendations relating to APRN licensing requirements. The APRN consultant identified is an APRN with extensive expertise and experience in these types of complex application reviews.

2. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS AND REQUESTED SERVICES

The APRN Consultant shall be responsible for:

1. Reviewing applications and resolving application issues within appropriate time frames;

2. Advising TBON on complex APRN license applications; and

3. Making policy/rule recommendations relating to APRN licensing requirements.

3. GENERAL VENDOR REQUIREMENTS

The Bidder/awarded Consultant shall:

1. Contribute to all aspects of APRN licensing under the general direction of the Director of

Licensing & Customer Service and APRN Licensing Manager;

2. Participate in complex review processes and/or approval of applicants for APRN licensure;

3. Participate in evaluation of academic courses and limited prescriptive authority in collaboration with other APRN consultants and staff;

4. Assist with APRN licensing reports when required;

http://www.bon.texas.gov/

5. Communicate with external administrative personnel, school and program directors, accreditation directors and/or liaisons to verify program requirements, curricula, and other information as needed for licensure processing; and

6. Consult on and assist in APRN education reviews.

4. REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN PROPOSAL PROCESS

I. Bidders must be a Texas-licensed Registered Nurse (RN) and APRN and have at least 10 years of APRN nursing experience, including regulatory experience related to APRN licensure application reviews, APRN education, and APRN practice.

II. Education

a. Bidder must be a graduate of a professional nursing program accredited by the state in which the program was conducted; and,

b. A graduate of an accredited college or university with an earned master's degree in nursing with educational preparation as either a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner.

III. Experience

a. Bidder must have broad experience in various types of professional nursing positions;

b. Have at least ten years of experience as an APRN;

c. Have substantial experience in nursing regulation, including APRN licensure application reviews, APRN education, and rule revisions related to APRN licensing;

d. Have knowledge of APRN licensing rules, Texas licensing progression and processes, licensing life cycle, as well as a familiarity with the applications process from out-of-state applicants; and

e. Have expertise in the consensus model – licensure, accreditation, certification, and education (LACE), and Texas BON waivers relating to APRN licensure eligibility.

5. CONTENTS OF PROPOSAL

The proposal must describe and contain:

• How the bidder will prepare and implement the application reviews;

• The bidder’s qualifications and ability to deliver the required services;

• The bidder’s experience in providing similar services, including a list of state agencies for which the bidder has provided services, if applicable;

• The bidder’s previous employment with state agencies, if any, pursuant to Texas Government

Code 2254.033;

• The anticipated time frame for completing the application reviews;

• two (2) examples of similar services/work completed by the bidder, if any,

• The bidder’s proposed fees for the required services, and

• The bidder’s references for qualifications.

6. REVIEW AND AWARD CRITERIA

Pursuant to Texas Government Code §§2254.003 and 2254.027, the award will be made to the

Bidder whose proposal provides the best value for the state and is in the state’s best interest. In determining which Proposal provides the best value and is in the state’s best interest, TBON will consider the following criteria: Bidder’s demonstrated competence, knowledge, qualifications, reasonableness of proposed fees, past performance, Bidder’s knowledge of governmental agencies and experience in providing the related services, and Bidder’s references. TBON intends to award the contract for the consulting services to a consultant that previously provided the services, unless a better offer is received. The services rendered by the previous consultant were compensated at an hourly rate of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per hour with a total of fifty-eight thousand dollars ($58,000) for the term of the contract.

7. CONTACT INFORMATION

All offers/proposals should be submitted to:

Texas Board of Nursing c/o Kristin Giaquinta Schoen

Asst. General Counsel

Texas Board of Nursing

George H.W. Bush Bldg.

1801 Congress Ave., Suite # 10-200

Austin, TX 78701

Submit by mail to the address stated above or by email to kristin.schoen@bon.texas.gov.

Please direct inquiries regarding this solicitation to kristin.schoen@bon.texas.gov.

8. SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Date Activity

July 3, 2026 RFQ Release

July 10, 2026 @ 5:00 PM Deadline for Vendors/Bidders to submit Questions

July 17, 2026 @ 5:00 PM TBON Posts responses to Vendor/Bidder Questions

July 24, 2026 @ 5:00 PM Deadline for Vendor to submit Qualifications (Offers)

July 31, 2026 Evaluation of Responses

August 7, 2026 Award Contract

All offers/proposals must be in writing and received no later than 5:00 PM Central Standard

Time, July 24, 2026.

9. POST-AWARD OF CONTRACT

Pursuant to Texas Government Code §§2254.0301 and 2254.041, should a major consulting contract be awarded in response to this solicitation, not later than 10th day after the effective date mailto:kristin.schoen@bon.texas.gov of the contract, the Board will provide written notice to the Legislative Budget Board of the awarded contract for consulting services if the amount of the contract, including an amendment, modification, renewal, or extension of the contract, exceeds $15,000. Moreover, consultant reports may be distributed to the legislature or posted on the agency’s website.

10. TERM OF THE CONTRACT

The initial term of this Contract commences upon the signature of the BON Executive Director and expires one year from the date of commencement. Thereafter, any contract renewal, amendment, or extension will be governed by Texas Government Code section 2254.031.

11. TERMINATION

Texas Board of Nursing may terminate the contract at any time for convenience. In the event of such termination, TBON will notify the Contractor in writing and the Contractor shall cease work immediately. Contractor shall be compensated for the work or services performed. Should

TBON terminate this contract for convenience, TBON shall pay for the work or services performed and expenses incurred before the date of termination.