FY27 PM for Sensititre Systems

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is requesting bids for preventive maintenance services and replacement parts for Sensititre antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems at the Department of State Health Services Laboratory in Austin, with bids due August 7, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Central Time. The questions deadline was July 22, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.; responses were posted as an addendum on July 23. Subcontracting is prohibited due to the critical public health nature of the equipment.

The scope includes one annual preventive maintenance visit, unlimited on-site field service for Sensititre AIM, Vizion, Nephelometer, ARIS (Automated Reading and Incubation System), and related systems; all replacement parts and labor; travel expenses; and 24/7 technical support via call center. Services must be performed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, with a 24-hour response requirement for service calls. Bidders must have a minimum five years of relevant experience; assigned personnel must have three years. Three verifiable references for similar contracts within the last three years are required.

Historical spending for the same services was $75,927.56 for the three-year period ending August 31, 2026, provided as a guideline only and not representing a guaranteed volume. Pricing must be firm, fixed, and submitted on Exhibit C (Pricing Sheet) covering total annual preventive maintenance rate, standard and emergency hourly rates for as-needed services, parts and materials markup percentage, and warranty terms for labor and parts. Price adjustments are not automatic and may be permitted only at HHSC's sole discretion, correlated to the Consumer Price Index or Federal Minimum Wage increases.

The initial contract term runs September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, with two optional one-year renewals and one optional extension of up to one year at HHSC's sole discretion. Required insurance includes Workers' Compensation ($1 million per accident), Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate), Commercial Automobile Liability ($1 million), Professional Liability ($1 million), and Umbrella Liability ($1 million). Background checks on all personnel are required prior to service commencement. Evaluation criteria include ability to meet requirements and specifications, performance delivery capability, and price; HHSC is not obligated to select the lowest-priced response.

Bids must be submitted in person at the HHS Procurement and Contracting Services office, 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, or through the optional online bid room. All mandatory exhibits and certifications, including HHS Solicitation Affirmations (Exhibit A), HHS Uniform Terms and Conditions (Exhibit B), Bidder Reference and Qualifications Form (Exhibit D), and Form 4109 (Texas Identification Number application if applicable), must accompany the bid. Contracting officer: Vivian Harrison, 512-406-2460.