Music Therapy Service for (BCVDDP)

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is soliciting proposals for music therapy services for the Blind Children's Vocational Discovery and Development Program (BCVDDP) under solicitation HHS0017816, with proposals due September 8, 2026.

Services span four regional operational areas—Central (Regions 7 & 8), North (Regions 3 & 4), South (Regions 5, 6 & 11), and West (Regions 1, 2, 9 & 10)—with respondents bidding by service area. The scope includes individual therapy sessions (60 hours), assessments (160 assessments), group training sessions in varying hour categories (2–5, 6–10, 11–16, and 17–20 hours, each with 25 sessions), virtual individual services (60 hours), virtual group services (25 hours), turnover services as a fixed fee, and optional in-home session services. All-inclusive unit prices must cover labor, materials, tools, supplies, equipment, personnel, and travel expenses. The contract term runs 12 months initially (Year 1) plus four optional 12-month extensions (Years 2–5), creating a potential 60-month total contract period.

Respondents must meet Texas state licensing and certification requirements for music therapy practitioners and comply with HHS credentialing standards and Unmatched Treatment Capabilities (UTCs) outlined in Exhibit B. Contractors must maintain seven types of insurance with $1 million minimums per coverage type: Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability, Comprehensive Automobile Liability, Cyber/Privacy Liability, Professional Liability, Umbrella Liability, and Crime Insurance. All policies must be occurrence-based, written by A.M. Best A-rated carriers authorized in Texas, and designate HHSC as additional insured except workers' compensation.

Contractors must execute a Data Use Agreement and comply with HIPAA, FISMA, the Privacy Act, and NIST standards. Data breaches involving federal information must be reported to HHS within one clock hour of discovery; all other breaches within 24 hours, followed by comprehensive written notification within three business days. The contractor assumes all breach investigation, mitigation, notification, and penalty costs.

Cost proposals must be submitted only in the original Microsoft Excel workbook format (.xlsx); alternative formats may result in disqualification. Cost evaluation uses a comparative methodology: lowest-cost proposal receives the highest rating, with others rated using the formula [1−(total cost−lowest total cost)/highest total cost] multiplied by the maximum percentage available for the cost criterion. No guarantee of volume, usage, or total compensation is made; actual costs are based on services delivered.

Respondents must complete Exhibit A (Solicitation Affirmations) certifying debarment status, E-Verify compliance, cybersecurity training, conflict-of-interest absence, and adherence to Texas Government Code provisions on discrimination, human trafficking, and other prohibitions. Binding offer terms are 240 days. Completion of Exhibit E (Assumptions) is optional and required only if respondents document deviations from stated requirements.