De-Escalation Training for Texas Library Staff

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) issued Request for Proposal (RFP) #306-26-0151 on January 23, 2026, seeking a qualified contractor to provide comprehensive de-escalation training services for library staff across Texas. The procurement encompasses one recorded introductory de-escalation workshop, two live online introductory workshops (minimum 2.5 hours each), and twelve three-hour in-person advanced de-escalation workshops at twelve specified locations including Lubbock, Cedar Park, Houston, Seguin, Amarillo, El Paso, Plano, Harlingen, Tyler, Brenham, Corpus Christi, and San Angelo. The training must strengthen participants' skills in communication, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques through interactive, adult learning methodologies available in both virtual and in-person formats, with a maximum cohort size of 50 participants per workshop. Minimum qualifications require respondents to possess at least three years of experience providing de-escalation or crisis response training; a master's degree or higher in psychology, counseling, social work, behavioral health, or related field; current professional licensure (LPC, LCSW, LMHC, or equivalent); five years of behavioral health service experience in clinical or community-based settings; five years of crisis intervention and crisis counseling experience; and demonstrated expertise in trauma-informed care de-escalation techniques relevant to public service environments. Preferred qualifications include Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Instructor Certification, ten years of behavioral health and integrated care experience, ten years of crisis intervention experience, and ten years of clinical education or training experience. A pre-submittal conference was held January 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM Central Time, with vendor questions due by 5:00 PM that same day and answers posted by January 22, 2026. Proposals are due January 30, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central Time, with expected contract award in February 2026. The initial contract term extends through August 31, 2026, with four potential one-year renewal options. TSLAC will evaluate responses based on administrative compliance (pass/fail), vendor qualifications and experience (40% weight), technical proposal quality (40% weight), and pricing analysis (20% weight).

While the RFP does not identify a current incumbent contractor, TSLAC has established preferences for tie-bid resolution under Texas Government Code 2155, Subchapter H, prioritizing service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, HUB-certified veteran businesses, Texas-based respondents, and providers of environmentally sensitive or recycled products; however, these preferences apply only to break tie scores and are not set-asides. Subcontractors are permitted with no evaluation disadvantage if their qualifications and roles are clearly documented in the technical proposal. All training deliverables, including recordings and materials, must be completed by August 31, 2026, with online sessions to be delivered within 60 days of contract award and in-person advanced workshops to follow with 45 days advance notice prior to each session. TSLAC will utilize Totara Learn (version 19) as the Learning Management System for asynchronous training deliverables, which may include supplemental interactive elements. The overall estimated budget for the project is $125,000, covering the initial contract year and all renewal terms, with firm fixed pricing required for all deliverables and travel costs for trainers incorporated into the workshop fees and capped at state-allowed reimbursement rates. All workshop materials, recordings, and intellectual property rights become property of TSLAC upon completion, and payment will be processed upon satisfactory completion of requested services within 30 days of invoice receipt.