Help Me Grow National Center Technical Assistance

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Procurement and Contracting Services division, in partnership with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and six Help Me Grow Texas communities, is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) to procure technical assistance and expertise for Help Me Grow model implementation. This evidence-based national system promotes collaboration among child-serving sectors to build efficient early childhood systems. The required services include the Building Expertise in HMG Model Implementation (BEMI) Community of Practice, ongoing consultation for state and community leaders serving both DSHS and affiliated communities, and Early Childhood Network Mapping projects. Services will be delivered primarily online with in-person support as needed, with the primary service location at DSHS in Austin, Texas. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of 3–5 years of relevant experience and provide three verifiable references for similar contracts completed within the last 3–5 years, along with documentation of financial capability, financial solvency, and operational capacity to perform, including a written description of business size, scope, years in operation, available employees for service delivery, and supervisory staff at each location. The evaluation will be based on the bidder's ability to meet or exceed IFB requirements, capacity to meet performance delivery requirements, and price, with award made to the bidder providing best value rather than necessarily the lowest price. The questions and clarifications deadline was January 30, 2026, with responses posted on February 4, 2026. The response deadline is February 9, 2026, at 10:30 AM Central Time, with the anticipated contract start date upon award and an initial contract term running through August 31, 2027, followed by an optional one-year extension available at HHSC's sole discretion.

The solicitation documents do not identify specific set-asides or restrictions limiting responses to particular types of organizations or disadvantaged enterprises, and no incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed. All bidders must submit mandatory documents including the HHS Solicitation Affirmations (Exhibit A) and the completed Exhibit C Pricing Sheet with firm, fixed prices covering all labor, equipment, materials, supplies, and related expenses; failure to submit these documents will result in disqualification. Bidders must also comply with comprehensive affirmations and uniform terms and conditions applicable to all HHSC and DSHS contractors, including certifications regarding suspension and debarment status, E-Verify participation, child support obligations, cybersecurity training, prohibitions on boycotting Israel and energy companies, intellectual property rights retained by the State, and a 240-day binding offer period. Responses must be submitted electronically through the HHS Online Bid Room or in the form and manner specified in the main solicitation package, with late submissions not accepted and technical difficulties with the optional online system not constituting grounds for protesting a contract award. The historical monetary value for similar services was $30,500 for the period September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2025; however, HHSC makes no guarantee of volume, usage, or compensation, and pricing must be submitted in US Dollars only with no alternative currency accepted.