Eligibility Support Services

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) HHS0015514 for Eligibility Support Services (ESS), seeking comprehensive administrative services to support the state's current eligibility system. The solicitation aims to procure vendor services that will assist individuals in accessing services through statewide eligibility offices, community partners, telephone, mail, fax, and internet channels. Respondents must provide a detailed narrative proposal, staffing plan, business operations plan, transition plan, training plan, and disaster recovery plan to demonstrate capability. The evaluation will be conducted across three primary criteria: qualifications and experience (20%), narrative proposal (50%), and cost (30%). Minimum qualifications include being in business for at least five years, having relevant ESS experience, and demonstrating financial solvency. Key dates for this procurement include a pre-proposal conference on August 19, 2025, with proposal responses due on September 26, 2025. The initial contract term is three years, with potential extensions up to two additional years and a possible one-year extension to address operational needs.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The historical compensation for the previous contract was $293,760,424 for the initial three-year period, suggesting a substantial budget range for this procurement. Respondents must comply with various state and federal regulations, including public information act requirements and intellectual property considerations. The contract will require vendors to adhere to strict standards of conduct and potentially integrate with existing state eligibility infrastructure. While specific incumbent vendors are not detailed in the available documentation, the procurement appears designed to continue and potentially enhance the state's current eligibility support service delivery model. Interested vendors should carefully review all documentation, particularly the exhibits referenced in the compressed zip files, to fully understand the comprehensive requirements of this significant state contract opportunity.