Medical Shelters and Alternate Care Sites

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) have issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) solicitation number HHS0015632 for Medical Shelters and Alternate Care Sites. The procurement seeks a qualified organization to provide comprehensive project management oversight and preparedness activities for developing a state Medical Shelter Plan. Key deliverables include conducting response operations, identifying and surveying potential Alternate Care Sites (ACS), providing and maintaining Evacuation Triage Teams (ETTs), training local ETTs, and supporting public health and medical trainings and exercises. Respondents must meet specific minimum qualifications, including being in business for at least five years, possessing two years of experience in medical shelter operations and public health preparedness, and demonstrating financial solvency. The evaluation will be conducted using a best value determination method, with scoring criteria comprising 30% for qualifications and experience, 50% for the project work plan, and 20% for cost. Important dates include a pre-proposal conference on July 29, 2025, proposal responses due by August 21, 2025, and an anticipated contract start date in November 2025. The initial contract term is one year, with potential for up to four one-year renewals, creating a maximum contract term of five years.

The RFP requires respondents to submit a comprehensive proposal that includes an executive summary, project work plan, key staffing profiles, company information, references, and a HUB Subcontracting Plan, suggesting potential opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed, the HUB Subcontracting Plan indicates a preference for diverse vendor participation. The historical compensation for similar contracts has been approximately $3,000,000 per fiscal year, though DSHS reserves the right to adjust funding based on state resources and emergency response needs. Costs related to response activities during an activation will be issued through a State Mission Assignment (SMA) from DSHS, providing additional potential revenue beyond the base contract. The solicitation appears to be open to a wide range of qualified organizations with demonstrated experience in medical shelter and public health preparedness, with a focus on comprehensive emergency response capabilities. Successful respondents will be expected to integrate with existing state emergency response infrastructure and potentially collaborate with current contractors in the public health and emergency management sectors.