Mortality Resources and Services

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), on behalf of both HHSC and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), is soliciting competitive bids for mortality resources and services under IFB HHS0017352v3, with responses due October 28, 2026, at 10:30 AM Central Time.

The scope requires the contractor to maintain inventory and storage of mortuary supplies and equipment, deploy four DSHS-owned 32-foot mortuary trailers (three gooseneck, one bumper pull) within 24 hours of notification, provide secure long-term storage within 125 miles of Waco, Texas (excluding coastal hurricane-vulnerable areas), and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on trailers. The contractor must establish and maintain a minimum of four Strike Teams, each composed of at least four individuals including two licensed funeral directors and two non-licensed funeral service professionals, trained in Incident Command System (ICS) classes 100, 200, 700, and 800. Strike Teams must deploy within 24 hours and arrive at incident sites within 48 hours. Personnel hourly rates cannot exceed GS-12-Step 10 for licensed funeral directors and GS-8-Step 10 for non-licensed individuals per Federal Pay.org rates. Contractor insurance requirements include Workers' Compensation ($1 million per accident), Commercial General Liability ($2 million general aggregate), Commercial Automobile Liability ($1 million combined single limit), Professional Liability ($1 million), and Umbrella Liability ($1 million).

The initial contract term runs January 1, 2027, through August 31, 2027, with three optional one-year renewals available through August 31, 2030, plus a potential one-year extension. Pricing must be submitted as firm, fixed prices on Exhibit C for the contract life, including all labor, equipment, materials, supplies, and related expenses. Historical spending for similar services totaled $269,485.68 from October 13, 2022, through June 30, 2026, provided as a guideline only. Price adjustments are permitted at HHSC's sole discretion using the Consumer Price Index formula or federal minimum wage adjustments when applicable. No volume guarantee or annual retainer compensation is provided. Questions were due October 13, 2026. Addendum dated October 14, 2026, clarified trailer specifications and electrical requirements. Bidders must submit Exhibit A (HHS Solicitation Affirmations), Exhibit D (Bidder Reference Form with minimum three references), financial capability documentation, and signed Addendum Acknowledgement Forms. An HUB Subcontracting Plan is encouraged but not required. All awards are contingent upon HHSC Executive Commissioner approval; the state reserves the right to make single or multiple awards.