Grounds Maintenance at Lufkin State Supported Living Center (LFSSLC)

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Procurement and Contracting Services division, is requesting bids for grounds maintenance services at Lufkin State Supported Living Center (LFSSLC) in Pollok, Texas, under IFB HHS0017520, with bids due July 10, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Attendance at one of two mandatory on-site visits (June 23 or June 24, 2026, each at 10:30 a.m.) is required for bid eligibility.

The scope encompasses weekly lawn mowing April through September and up to twice-monthly mowing October through March; edging along curbs and walkways; hard surface cleaning; ground cover trimming; weed control; mulch application; debris removal; and additional services via delivery releases. LFSSLC provides fertilizer and mulch; the contractor supplies all other labor, materials, equipment, and tools. Services are performed Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time, with a four-hour response requirement for service calls and 24-hour contact availability for urgent issues.

The contract runs four years from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2030, with no renewal options but a discretionary one-year extension available at HHSC's sole discretion. Historical spending for comparable services was $100,000 for the twelve-month period ending August 1, 2023, provided as a guideline only with no guaranteed volume or compensation. Pricing must be firm and fixed on the provided Exhibit C Pricing Sheet and may be adjusted annually at HHSC's discretion using Consumer Price Index or Federal Minimum Wage Rate formulas with supporting documentation.

Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of three years of relevant grounds maintenance experience, provide three verifiable references for similar work within the last three years, and ensure all personnel are at least 18 years old with a minimum of one year of relevant experience. E-Verify compliance is mandatory. Insurance requirements include workers' compensation ($1 million per occurrence), commercial general liability ($1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate), commercial automobile liability ($1 million combined single limit), professional liability ($1 million), and umbrella liability ($1 million).

Questions are due June 29, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., with responses posted by July 2, 2026. Bids must include completed Exhibits A (HHS Solicitation Affirmations), C (Pricing Sheet), D (Bidder Reference and Contractor Qualifications Form), and Form 4109 (Application for Texas Identification Number) if applicable. Submissions are accepted via email, HHS Online Bid Room, or hand/overnight delivery of USB drives to the PCS office at 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas. A HUB Subcontracting Plan is encouraged but not required.