Medical Gases and Cylinder Rentals

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Procurement and Contracting Services division has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) No. HHS0016562 for Medical Gases and Cylinder Rentals on behalf of Terrell State Hospital. The procurement seeks to establish a blanket order contract for medical gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, including cylinder rentals and associated delivery services. Vendors must provide 24-hour regular delivery, 2-hour emergency delivery, and inclement weather delivery services for various tank sizes including 43E tanks, AM 24USPOT oxygen tanks, and 50 lbs CO2 cylinders. The solicitation requires firm and fixed pricing for the entire contract term, with vendors submitting pricing on the provided Exhibit C - Pricing Sheet. Key procurement dates include the IFB posting on August 4, 2025, a question submission deadline of August 8, 2025, responses to questions on August 11, 2025, and a bid response deadline of August 19, 2025, at 10:30 AM Central Time. The evaluation will follow best value criteria, considering bidder compliance with requirements, delivery performance capability, and pricing, though HHSC is not obligated to select the lowest-priced response.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must comply with extensive affirmations and certifications, including E-Verify requirements, Texas Public Information Act compliance, and various state-specific regulations such as boycott prohibitions and cybersecurity training requirements. Contractors must provide complete business identification, possess necessary permits and licenses, and maintain no conflicts of interest with the agencies. The initial contract term runs from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026, with both HHSC and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) entitled to use the awarded contracts. The blanket order is valued at $38,640.95 for fiscal year 2026, with vendors required to immediately implement any price decreases and potentially request price adjustments based on Consumer Price Index changes or federal minimum wage increases. Vendors must also maintain appropriate product labeling, observe strict campus delivery guidelines, and provide working telephone contact information for continuous communication and emergency medical gas needs.