Drug Detection Dog Services for Rusk State Hospital

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is soliciting bids for Drug Detection Dog Services for Rusk State Hospital, located at 805 N Dickinson Dr in Rusk, Texas. The procurement is an Invitation for Bids (IFB) seeking a contractor to provide professionally trained drug detection dogs and handlers to conduct scheduled and on-call sweeps at the hospital campus, searching for illegal drugs and controlled substances. The contract will begin upon award and expire on August 31, 2027, with potential one-year extension options. Services include two monthly scheduled visits and three emergency visits per fiscal year, with dogs and handlers escorted by hospital personnel to search office spaces, patient care units, common areas, courtyards, staff break rooms, and public restrooms. Bidders must have at least five years of relevant experience, with personnel having a minimum of three years of experience, and must provide current certification and training records. The response deadline is June 16, 2025, at 10:30 AM, with questions due by June 5, 2025. Evaluation criteria will consider the bidder's ability to meet specifications, performance delivery requirements, and pricing, with HHSC reserving the right to select the response providing the best value to the State of Texas.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders must submit comprehensive documentation, including three verifiable references, detailed business qualifications, and various mandatory attachments such as current certifications, training records, business licenses, and proof of insurance. Insurance requirements are extensive, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, commercial automobile liability, professional liability, and umbrella liability coverage. While a specific budget range is not disclosed, the pricing structure requires firm, fixed prices for the contract duration, to be submitted using the provided Pricing Sheet. Bidders must provide a detailed one-page narrative describing their experience and qualifications, demonstrate operational capabilities, and submit documentation proving financial solvency and ability to perform contract requirements. The contract will be awarded in US Dollars, and failure to submit any required documentation may result in disqualification.