Exhibit D_Exceptions.docx

This is an Exceptions exhibit for Request for Proposals No. HHS0016728 issued by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for Music Therapy Services for the Blind Children's Vocational Discovery and Development Program (BCVDDP). The RFP seeks to award four separate contracts to qualified Texas-based contractors to provide individual, group, and optional in-home music therapy sessions to blind and visually impaired individuals from birth to age 22 across four regional service areas: Central (Regions 7 & 8), North (Regions 3 & 4), South (Regions 5, 6 & 11), and West (Regions 1, 2, 9 & 10). Services must be delivered by Board-Certified Music Therapists (MT-BC). A pre-proposal conference was held on March 20, 2026, with a deadline for questions on March 23, 2026, and responses to clarifications scheduled for posting by April 3, 2026. Proposal responses are due on April 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time, with award notification anticipated in August 2026 and a contract start date of September 1, 2026. The initial contract term is two years with HHSC holding the option to extend for up to three additional years plus one additional year for immediate operational needs.

This Exceptions exhibit provides the required format for respondents to formally document any exceptions to the solicitation terms and conditions, including proposed alternative language. Respondents must clearly identify the specific solicitation document section, the language to which exception is taken, the basis for the exception, and their proposed alternative language. Critically, respondents must indicate whether they wish to remain under consideration for contract award if their exception is denied. The exhibit specifies that no exceptions or alternative terms will be considered part of any resulting contract unless expressly made part of the contract in writing by HHSC. Completion of this exhibit is optional and required only if a respondent has exceptions to propose.