Mosquito Control_ Aerial Spraying

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB HHS0016771) for comprehensive mosquito control aerial spray and fumigation services to support public health emergency response statewide. The procurement requires a qualified contractor to provide aerial spraying, ground-based pesticide applications, mosquito surveillance, resistance testing, and operational mapping services utilizing EPA-approved insecticides registered with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Deliverables include adult and larval mosquito control targeting residential, institutional, and non-residential properties, with services encompassing per-trap-night pricing for adult mosquito trapping, per-square-mile pricing for surveillance and control mapping, per-acre pricing for adulticide and larvicide applications, per-site pricing for larval inspections, and specialized services such as resistance testing and backpack spraying applications. Bidders must maintain two certified pilots compliant with Federal Aviation Regulations Part 137, two operational aircraft with ultra-low volume spray systems, real-time weather monitoring equipment, and GPS navigation capabilities, and must demonstrate three years of relevant experience including aerial spraying operations. Required qualifications include Public Health Pest Control licenses from the Texas Department of Agriculture and pest control licensing under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1951, along with comprehensive insurance coverage including workers' compensation, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, commercial automobile liability of $1,000,000, professional liability of $1,000,000, and umbrella liability of $1,000,000. The contractor must respond within 24 hours of notification and activate operations within 48 hours, providing 24-hour contact availability and emergency response capabilities. Critical deadlines include a questions deadline of May 8, 2026, an HSP courtesy review deadline of May 15, 2026, and a final response deadline of June 1, 2026 at 10:30 AM Central Time, with the anticipated contract start date of September 1, 2026. Evaluation criteria include the bidder's ability to meet all requirements, performance delivery capability, and price, with award made to the bidder offering best value to the state rather than necessarily the lowest-priced response.

This solicitation includes a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan requirement, with a courtesy review option available before the final submission deadline, and bidders must comply with extensive Texas-specific affirmations including Buy Texas requirements, boycott prohibitions, firearms industry non-discrimination, and various statutory and regulatory compliance certifications outlined in Exhibit A. Bidders must submit three verifiable references for contracts of similar size and scope completed within the past two years, along with detailed company information and evidence of financial capability. All required exhibits must be completed and submitted, including the HHS Solicitation Affirmations (Exhibit A), Pricing Sheet (Exhibit C), Bidder Reference Form (Exhibit D), HUB Subcontracting Plan (Exhibit G), and Form 4109 Texas Identification Number Application (Exhibit H). The contract structure provides for a one-year initial term commencing September 1, 2026, with an optional three-year renewal structure (September 1, 2027 through August 31, 2030) plus one additional extension year at the agency's discretion, with pricing to be firm and fixed for the entire contract life. Historical spending for comparable services totaled $2,250,000 for the five-year period September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2026, provided only as a guideline with no guarantee of volume or compensation, suggesting the potential award value may be substantially higher given the extended contract term and expanded operational requirements outlined in this solicitation.