Bread and Bakery Products

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is soliciting bids for bread and bakery products to serve state hospitals, state-supported living centers, and associated food service entities across Texas under IFB HHS0017445, with responses due July 13, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Central Time and questions due June 25, 2026.

The scope covers over 50 bread and bakery items including sandwich breads in whole grain and specialty options, hamburger and frankfurter buns, rolls, bagels, tortillas, and snack items across NIGP codes 375-15, 30, 45, 50, and 60. Bidders must bid a minimum of 100% of requested items for each Quarters of Employment (QOE) they intend to service, though selective bidding on specific facilities is permitted. All bread products must be fresh, date-stamped with adequate shelf life, and delivered in clean, sanitary conditions; reworked products, previously refused items, and seconds are prohibited. Contractors must maintain an ordering system accepting online, phone, or in-person orders; provide active telephone service 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; and deliver Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on mutually agreed dates with one week advance notice. Delivery frequencies range from one to four days per week depending on facility. Contractors bear all transportation costs and must comply with strict on-campus conduct rules including speed limits, designated parking, prohibition of firearms and alcohol, and no resident contact.

Pricing must be firm and fixed for the contract life. The historical spend for September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026 was $2,000,000, provided as a pricing guideline. Price adjustments are permitted only at HHSC's discretion, tied to Consumer Price Index (CPI-W or CPI-U) with a specified formula, or alternatively based on federal minimum wage increases with supporting documentation. Contractors must implement price decreases immediately.

The contract term runs September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, with one renewal option (September 1, 2027 through August 31, 2028) and one discretionary extension of up to one year. The anticipated contract value is $1 million annually or $2 million over two years. HHSC may award to one or multiple bidders to ensure all QOEs receive service. Evaluation will consider bidder qualifications, ability to meet performance and delivery requirements, specifications compliance, past vendor performance, and price, with HHSC retaining discretion to select the best-value bidder rather than the lowest price.

Contractors must submit quarterly reports detailing order quantities, fill rates, and pricing by facility no later than the 15th of the month following each quarter. All delivered products must comply with contractual requirements, with complaints resolved within 90 days. Contractors must respond to problem notifications within 72 hours and bear investigation costs including storage charges beginning on the tenth day, HHSC employee time at $20 per hour after 30 days, and third-party laboratory testing at FSIS-approved facilities. Non-specification shipments will be fully reimbursed or replaced by the vendor. Failure to meet resolution requirements may result in vendor discontinuation from all HHSC food awards.

Responses must include Exhibit A (HHS Solicitation Affirmations), Exhibit C (Pricing Sheet), and Exhibit 2 (Warranty Resolution). Submissions are accepted via email to pcsbids@hhs.texas.gov, through the HHS Online Bid Room, or hand delivery or overnight mail of a USB drive to the Procurement and Contracting Services office at 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas. No HUB subcontracting plan is required, though HUB participation is supported and subcontracting opportunities are encouraged.