Tree Services and Maintenance as needed for the San Antonio State Hospital

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB HHS0016807_v2) for comprehensive tree services and maintenance at San Antonio State Hospital on an as-needed basis. The procurement encompasses arboricultural services including tree inspection for disease and pest identification, air spading and tilling, tree trimming and thinning, removal of soft wood, hard wood, and diseased wood, stump removal and grinding, thicket and briar clearance, wood chipping, and services performed outside regular business hours. The successful contractor must maintain a crew of 15-20 personnel available for same-day or 24-hour response to service requests, with all personnel possessing a minimum of two years of relevant experience and International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification as applicable. Bidders must submit hourly rate pricing for each service category using the provided Exhibit C Price Sheet, with all-inclusive unit rates covering labor, equipment, materials, and supplies; pricing must be firm and fixed for the contract life, though annual adjustments may be permitted at HHSC's discretion using Consumer Price Index formulas or Federal Minimum Wage increases. Mandatory on-site visits are scheduled for February 17-18, 2026, at 10:00 AM at San Antonio State Hospital, with a questions and clarifications deadline of February 20, 2026, at 12:00 PM and responses posted by February 23, 2026. The bid response deadline is March 23, 2026, at 10:30 AM CST, with responses submitted either electronically through the HHS Online Bid Room or in-person to the Procurement and Contracting Services office at 1100 W. 49th Street in Austin, Texas. The initial contract term commences upon award and expires August 31, 2026, with three optional one-year renewal periods through August 31, 2029, plus one additional one-year extension option. Required qualifications include three verifiable references for similar services completed within the previous two years, workers' compensation insurance with employer's liability limits of $1,000,000 each accident, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 general aggregate, commercial automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, professional liability of $1,000,000, and umbrella liability of $1,000,000, as well as background checks on all personnel and E-Verify compliance.

This procurement is subject to mandatory Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program requirements with probable subcontracting opportunities available in tree and root cutting, tree and shrub removal services, and tree trimming and pruning services (NIGP Class Item Codes 020/90, 986/88, and 988/88). All respondents, regardless of HUB certification status, must submit a completed HUB Subcontracting Plan (Exhibit F) demonstrating good-faith effort to include certified HUBs in subcontracting opportunities and may utilize one of five compliance methods: utilizing only HUBs, participating in the Mentor-Protege Program, meeting or exceeding the 26.0 percent HUB utilization goal established by HHS, providing written notice to a minimum of three certified HUBs and two Texas-based trade organizations at least seven working days prior to the bid deadline, or performing all work without subcontracting. Additional required submissions include completed Exhibit A (HHS Solicitation Affirmations), Exhibit D (Bidder Reference and Qualifications Form), acknowledgement of any issued addenda, and evidence of operational capability and financial solvency. The document does not specify an incumbent vendor or current contractor, nor does it disclose a specific contract award value or budget range; however, the HUB subcontracting threshold of $100,000 or more indicates the anticipated contract value exceeds this minimum. Bidders should note that responses remain binding for 240 days from the solicitation response due date, and all resulting contracts are subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the solicitation unless formal exceptions are submitted and accepted in writing by HHSC. The HUB Coordinator, Bob McCurdy, is available at 512-406-2537 or Bob.mccurdy@hhs.texas.gov for courtesy HSP reviews and training assistance, and the procurement contact is David Martinez at 512-406-2597 or david.martinez01@hhs.texas.gov.