CWD Diagnostics and Supplies for Wildlife Division

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) under Solicitation Number 802-26-56879 to establish a blanket contract for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) diagnostics and supplies for the TPWD Wildlife Division. The procurement seeks comprehensive diagnostic services including swab testing of environmental surfaces, live animals, and carcasses; feed and mineral testing; feces collection; tissue sampling; minimally invasive live animal testing via Tricision technology; mail-in venison kits; water testing; soil screening; and wood sampling. Respondents must also provide supplies and tools including RT-QuIC kits, Nano-QuIC kits, sample dilution buffers, prion protein substrates, and PrioScout mineral brick containment hardware or TPWD-approved equivalents. The contract will commence upon award and continue through August 31, 2027, with options for renewal for up to three additional one-year periods contingent on funds availability and vendor performance. Contractors must possess a minimum of three years of experience in providing prion diagnostics and research services and submit three verifiable references from projects completed within the last five years; qualifications and past performance are evaluation criteria alongside lowest price and delivery/service schedule. All positive test results must be reported within 24 hours with complete reports including methodology and statistical results delivered within 5 business days. The bid due deadline is 2:00 PM Central Standard Time on January 29, 2026 (extended from the original January 27 date via Addendum No. 1), with submissions required via email to Purchasing.BidBox@tpwd.texas.gov, mail, or hand delivery to TPWD Purchasing and Contracting at 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744.

The solicitation documents do not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to particular types of organizations or disadvantaged enterprises, indicating that qualified vendors of any classification may respond. Contractors must procure and maintain commercial general liability insurance with minimum coverage of $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate limit, along with workers' compensation insurance as applicable. No incumbent vendors, current contractors, or existing technology integration requirements are identified in the procurement documents. Price escalation may be permitted at renewal periods with written notification and documented cost justification, with TPWD retaining discretion to accept, deny, or negotiate increases. The specific award value or budget range is not disclosed in the available documents; however, the contract is awarded on a best-value basis with TPWD retaining the right to increase or decrease quantities prior to award based on bid results and budget constraints, and the contract does not guarantee volume or commitment of funds. TPWD reserves the right to conduct performance monitoring and impose remedies for unsatisfactory performance, including negative vendor performance reports and contract cancellation.