Wastewater Testing for DSHS

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) HHS0016848 for as-needed wastewater testing services to assess population prevalence of emerging disease- and infection-causing microorganisms across Texas regions 1-11. The contractor must collect and test samples from wastewater collection locations and sewersheds statewide, including assisted living facilities, retirement communities, correctional facilities, food processing facilities, university dormitories, and municipalities, with services performed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Key deliverables include extracting genetic material, identifying microorganism variants (including SARS-CoV-2, mpox, measles, norovirus, flu, and RSV variants), measuring variant-specific concentrations, and providing weekly electronic reports containing microorganism identity and aggregate concentration data. The contractor must be located in Texas and capable of providing statewide services immediately upon award, with a minimum of one year of relevant experience, three verifiable references for similar services within the last year, and comprehensive background checks on all personnel at contractor expense. Bidders must submit all required documentation including completed Exhibit C Pricing Sheet (all-inclusive per-sample fee), Exhibit A HHS Solicitation Affirmations, Exhibit D Bidder Reference Form, Exhibit F HUB Subcontracting Plan, and Addendum Acknowledgement Forms. The response deadline was extended to April 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., with questions and clarifications deadline on February 25, 2026, and courtesy review deadline for HUB Subcontracting Plans on March 10, 2026, at 2 p.m. The anticipated contract start date is September 1, 2026, with an initial term through August 31, 2027, and up to four optional one-year renewal periods through August 31, 2031, with pricing firm and fixed for the contract life and adjustments permitted only at HHSC's discretion correlated to the Consumer Price Index.

This procurement requires the submission of a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan with a statewide HUB utilization goal of 26 percent based on the 2009 State of Texas Disparity Study; all respondents, regardless of HUB certification status, must submit a completed HSP or face bid rejection as non-responsive. Bidders may demonstrate good-faith effort through five methods: Method I (using only HUBs), Method II (Mentor-Protege Program participation), Method III (meeting or exceeding the 26 percent HUB goal with mixed subcontractors), Method IV (solicitation with notification to at least three HUBs and two trade organizations with minimum seven working days response time), or Method V (self-performance with no subcontracting), with noncompliance constituting material breach and potential debarment from state contracting for up to five years. The contractor must comply with comprehensive affirmations and uniform terms and conditions including non-debarment certification, franchise tax compliance, human trafficking prohibition, E-Verify utilization, cybersecurity training requirements, prohibition on boycotts of Israel and energy companies, and artificial intelligence system disclosure. Required insurance includes workers' compensation with employer's liability limits of $1,000,000 per accident, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, commercial automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, professional liability of $1,000,000, and umbrella liability of $1,000,000. The historical monetary value for similar services is $2,069,628.22 for the period March 27, 2023, through August 31, 2025, providing an indicator of anticipated contract value, though no specific set-asides exist for disadvantaged enterprises beyond the HUB subcontracting requirements. No incumbent contractor information or existing infrastructure integration requirements were identified in the solicitation documents.