Mortuary and Burial Services_Rusk State Hospital

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB No. #HHS0016355) for Mortuary and Burial Services specifically for Rusk State Hospital, located in Cameron County. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive mortuary services, including transportation of deceased individuals, provision of caskets and urns, embalming, graveside services, and crematory services. Bidders must be located within 30 miles of Rusk State Hospital and must be licensed by the Texas Funeral Service Commission. The contract will run from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2028, with potential one-year extensions. The solicitation requires bidders to submit a detailed pricing sheet with firm, fixed prices for funeral director services, embalming, transportation, graveside services, and additional items like cremation caskets and grave liners. Evaluation criteria will focus on the bidder's ability to meet requirements, performance delivery, and pricing, with HHSC reserving the right to award to the bidder providing the best overall value to the state. The bid response is due by July 24, 2025, at 10:30 AM.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders must complete several mandatory forms, including the Solicitation Affirmations (Exhibit A), Pricing Sheet (Exhibit C), and Bidder Reference and Qualification Form (Exhibit D), which require detailed information about the company's capabilities, references, and qualifications. The historical spend for similar services is approximately $520 for the period from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024. Potential bidders must provide three verifiable references for similar contracts completed within the last five years and demonstrate their operational capabilities through a comprehensive narrative. The contract includes strict provisions regarding business practices, legal compliance, and state-specific regulations, including prohibitions on boycotts, requirements for former state employees, and E-Verify compliance. Bidders must also comply with comprehensive terms and conditions outlined in Exhibit B, which covers intellectual property rights, confidentiality, and data management protocols.