IFB for GT-Fast Prep ARTIC SARS-CoV-2 Library Preparation Kit

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are seeking competitive bids for the GT-Fast Prep ARTIC SARS-CoV-2 Library Preparation Kit through Invitation for Bid (IFB) number HHS0016811. The procurement is specifically for a molecular reagent kit containing primers and reagents designed for amplification and preparation of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material extracted from wastewater matrices. The DSHS Lab will use these kits for periodic wastewater testing to identify positive viral detects approximately two weeks before clinical cases appear, enabling proactive epidemiological outbreak response measures. The solicitation was posted on November 3, 2025, with a bid submission deadline of November 18, 2025, at 10:30 AM Central Time. Potential bidders must submit questions or requests for clarification by November 7, 2025, with agency responses to be posted as addenda by November 10, 2025. The initial contract term will run from the award date through August 31, 2026, with a potential one-year extension at the agency's discretion. Only bids conforming exactly to the specified brand (GT Molecular Inc.) and model number will be considered for award.

There are no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types mentioned in the solicitation documents. The procurement requires bidders to complete and submit Exhibit A (HHS Solicitation Affirmations) and the Exhibit C Pricing Sheet, with failure to do so resulting in bid disqualification. The expected quantity is 12 kits, with historical spend estimated between $25,050 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2025. Pricing must be firm and fixed for the entire contract duration, with potential adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) or federal minimum wage increases, at HHSC's sole discretion. The agency does not guarantee any specific volume or usage and reserves the right to make single or multiple awards. Bidders must comply with extensive affirmations including E-Verify employment verification, compliance with state and federal regulations, and various Texas-specific requirements such as Buy Texas compliance and prohibitions on boycotts. All contracts are subject to appropriations, fund availability, and potential termination by the agency.