HHS0016213v3 DSHS Lab Culture media

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. HHS0016213v3 for laboratory culture media, seeking competitive bids for specialized scientific media and supplies used in testing water, dairy, shellfish, and food samples. The procurement covers 18 line items, including Phosphate Buffered Saline, Cooked Meat Medium, Nutrient Broth, and various agar and broth preparations, with expected quantities ranging from 1 to 140 packages. The solicitation requires bidders to submit two mandatory attachments: a completed Exhibit A HHS Solicitation Affirmations and Exhibit D Pricing Sheet, with failure to submit either document resulting in bid disqualification. The bid was posted on July 1, 2025, with responses due by July 17, 2025, and an anticipated contract start date of September 1, 2025. Evaluation criteria will include meeting specifications, performance delivery capabilities, and price, with the contract to be awarded based on best value to the state using the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' Vendor Performance Tracking System.

The procurement appears to be open to all qualified vendors, with no specific set-aside designations mentioned in the documentation. Bidders must comply with various state regulations, including anti-boycott provisions, cybersecurity training requirements, and restrictions on doing business with certain entities. The historical spend for similar goods is $36,344.09 for the period from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026, though this does not guarantee any specific volume or compensation. Vendors must provide firm and fixed pricing for the entire contract duration, submit a comprehensive XML Price Sheet, and complete a two-step registration process for the HHS Online Bid Room. The contract will be potentially used by both the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and DSHS, with the state reserving the right to make single or multiple awards. Bidders must also demonstrate compliance with various legal and regulatory requirements, including ethical standards, public information acts, and specific state and federal regulations.