Rehabilitation Supplies for Vocational Rehabilitation Customers

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Vocational Rehabilitation Division issued Invitation for Bids (IFB) No. 3202600146 for rehabilitation supplies serving vocational rehabilitation customers. The procurement seeks bids for eight product categories including Braille watches and clocks, orientation or navigational aids for the disabled, specialized cooking and housekeeping aids, training and recreational aids, vision impaired mobility devices and equipment, check writing guides, Braille labeling materials, and blind teaching and training equipment and supplies. Bidders must submit pricing using percentage discounts off catalog list prices on the Cost Proposal form, with net pricing including statewide delivery on a firm, fixed basis throughout the contract term under FOB Destination terms with no additional costs for delivery, handling, or fuel surcharges permitted. The contract encompasses 33 line items distributed across six primary NIGP classes, and bidders must bid all line items within each NIGP class selected, along with providing percentage discounts for additional miscellaneous items not listed. Key dates include a Pre-Solicitation Conference on April 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central Time (optional but recommended), written questions due April 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM Central Time, a courtesy VetHUB Subcontracting Plan review available by May 6, 2026, with draft feedback by May 11, 2026, and bids due June 3, 2026, by 10:00 AM Central Time. The anticipated contract start date is August 2026, with an initial one-year term and TWC holding the sole option to renew for up to four additional one-year terms, plus potential extension for one additional year to address operational needs. Vendors must comply with extensive federal and state requirements including E-Verify, non-discrimination laws, background checks for employees, security and privacy standards, and HIPAA compliance, and must maintain workers' compensation and commercial general liability insurance with minimum coverage limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.

All bidders, regardless of Veteran HUB certification or subcontracting plans, must submit a completed VetHUB Subcontracting Plan with a state goal of 5.28 percent utilization, making this a mandatory pass/fail requirement for responsive bids under Texas Government Code 2161.252. Respondents must identify all subcontracting opportunities and notify at least three certified HUB vendors for each type of work anticipated and at least two trade organizations or development centers at least seven working days prior to submitting their proposal. Successful bidders must provide notice to all selected subcontractors within ten working days of contract award specifying the agency name, contract award number, scope of work, dollar value, and contract percentage, and must submit monthly Progress Assessment Reports (PAR) to TWCHUBInfo@twc.texas.gov by the 10th of each month to verify HSP compliance and document expenditures. Historical compensation for similar contracts is $350,000 annually, though TWC reserves the right to adjust this amount based on available funding and makes no guarantee of volume, usage, or total compensation. The procurement permits bidders to claim preferences under various Texas statutes including those for goods produced or services offered by Texas bidders, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, agricultural products grown in Texas, products from economically depressed areas, recycled or environmentally sensitive materials, energy-efficient products, and foods of higher nutritional value. All companies and individuals must obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) prior to contract award and a Texas Identification Number (TIN) through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for payment processing purposes. TWC reserves the right to make partial awards or decline to award, and any modifications to the approved HUB Subcontracting Plan require prior written approval from the contracting agency, with violations subject to enforcement remedies up to and including debarment from state contracting.