HHS0015921 Optimus Heated/Refrigerator

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are conducting a formal Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a VC APS ONE Automatic Plate Pourer, solicitation number HHS0015962. The procurement seeks a specialized laboratory instrument with comprehensive technical specifications, including an integrated plate cooling system, a 10L agar/560 plate capacity carousel, and the ability to stack plates up to 40 high. The equipment must be compatible with a Linx 8900/8910 ink jet printer and have interchangeable carousel capabilities for different plate sizes (55-60mm and 90-100mm), with a minimum capacity to fill 500 ~20ml plates per hour. Key procurement dates include questions due by April 21, 2025, and bid responses required by April 28, 2025, at 10:30 AM. The procurement will follow the Best Value Standard, meaning HHSC is not obligated to select the lowest-priced bid but will award to the bidder providing the best overall value to the State of Texas. Evaluation will focus on the vendor's ability to meet technical specifications, pricing, and overall compliance with solicitation requirements.

The solicitation encourages participation from Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) and includes specific provisions for vendor performance monitoring. Potential bidders must complete comprehensive documentation, including Exhibit A (Solicitation Affirmations), Exhibit C (Pricing Sheet), and Exhibit D (Online Bid Room submission), with strict compliance requirements around legal, ethical, and operational certifications. Vendors must verify no felony criminal convictions, demonstrate compliance with state and federal regulations, and meet specific requirements around employment practices and cybersecurity. The historical spend for similar goods is $52,103.71, though this serves only as a guideline. The anticipated contract start date is May 1, 2025, with potential for future extensions. Pricing must be submitted as firm, fixed prices, with possible future adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W or CPI-U), subject to HHSC's sole discretion. Both HHSC and DSHS will be entitled to utilize the resulting contract, providing broader utility for the state's laboratory equipment procurement.