Intranet Quorum (IQ) Support Services and Software Maintenance

The Texas Department of Agriculture is requesting offers for Intranet Quorum (IQ) Support Services and Software Maintenance under RFO 5510001059, with responses due August 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. The procurement requires TX-RAMP Level 2 Certification and full compliance with NIST SP 800-53 or TX-RAMP certification, quarterly vulnerability scanning and incident reporting, immediate breach notification (within 24 hours with resolution within 72 hours), encryption of personally identifiable information using TLS 1.2 or above, multi-factor authentication capabilities, SOC 2 Type 2 reporting, and background checks for all personnel with PII access—standards that filter bidders on security infrastructure and capability.

The scope comprises two IQ Project Manager/Supervisor licenses, two IQ Senior Network Engineer licenses, fifteen IQ Enterprise Support licenses, and one Software Maintenance Annual Upgrade Subscription (specified Leidos part numbers). All deliverables are Leidos proprietary; TDA notes the items may be proprietary to one vendor but encourages offers from all qualified respondents. Responses must include cost proposals submitted separately in Exhibit C, excluding pricing from the narrative proposal.

The contract runs September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, with one optional one-year renewal period. TDA will evaluate proposals under the Best Value Standard (Texas Government Code Section 2157.003) weighted as Respondent Past Performance, Qualifications & Experience (30%); Proposed Plan for Providing Services (40%); and Reasonableness of Proposed Cost (30%). Award is estimated for August 19, 2026. Payment is made within thirty days of invoice receipt per the Texas Prompt Payment Act.

Respondents must complete a VetHUB Subcontracting Plan with demonstrated good faith effort in recruiting certified Veteran Heroes United in Business subcontractors where subcontracting is probable. Comprehensive insurance is required: General Liability $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate, Workers' Compensation $1,000,000 each, Professional Liability / Errors and Omissions $1,000,000, Cyber/Privacy Liability $1,000,000, and Umbrella Liability $1,000,000. All policies must be issued by A.M. Best A-rated carriers authorized in Texas, include TDA as additional insured, and carry waiver of subrogation. Respondents must submit conflict-of-interest disclosure per Exhibit H, financial capacity attestation, debarment certification, DEI compliance certification per Executive Order 14151 and Texas Governor's Executive Order GA-55, lobbying certification, and confidential information designation forms.