NextSeq 2000 at Texas Department of State Health Services Laboratory

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are seeking an annual service agreement for an Illumina NextSeq 2000 next generation sequencing instrument to be used at the Texas Department of State Health Services Laboratory. The procurement is an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for comprehensive maintenance services, including unlimited on-site field service, repair and preventative maintenance, software upgrades, and unlimited technical support. The instrument will support various advanced scientific applications such as single cell gene expression, whole exome sequencing, whole genome sequencing, target enrichment, and shotgun metagenomics. Bids are due on November 20, 2024 at 10:30 AM Central Time, with an anticipated contract start date corresponding to the award date. The initial contract term will run from November 15, 2024 to August 31, 2025, with an option to extend for one additional year. Evaluation criteria will significantly emphasize pricing, which must be submitted on the provided Exhibit C Pricing Sheet, and bidders must demonstrate a minimum of three years of relevant experience with three verifiable references for contracts of similar size and scope within the last five years.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, though Texas Government Code Section 2155.067 requires bids to conform exactly to the specified brand name and model. Bidders must provide documentation of their business experience, including full-time and part-time employee counts, customer service capabilities, order fulfillment processes, and supervisory staffing. The historical spend for the previous contract period was $48,129 from September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024, though the state provides no guarantee of volume, usage, or compensation for the new agreement. All payments will be made in U.S. Dollars, and the contract is subject to the availability of state funds. Potential bidders must complete and submit multiple exhibits, including Exhibit A HHS Solicitation Affirmations, Exhibit C Pricing Sheet, Exhibit D Bidder Reference Form, and provide evidence of financial capability and minimum qualifications. The solicitation allows for optional electronic bidding through the HHS Online Bid Room, with a two-step registration process required for access.