Help Me Grow National Center Technical Assistance

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) to procure technical assistance and expertise services for Help Me Grow model implementation across DSHS and six Help Me Grow Texas communities. The procurement encompasses two primary service areas: Building Expertise in HMG Model Implementation (BEMI) community of practice activities and ongoing consultation providing dual support for DSHS and affiliate organizations, along with early childhood network mapping projects to support evidence-based early childhood systems building. Services will be performed Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Central Time at DSHS facilities located at 1100 W 49th St, Suite 605, Austin, Texas 78756, with a required four-hour response time to service requests. Minimum qualifications require bidders to demonstrate 3-5 years of relevant experience, provide three verifiable references for similar contracts, submit three copies of criminal background checks on all assigned personnel, and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including workers' compensation, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, professional liability of $1,000,000, and umbrella liability of $1,000,000. Bidders must submit firm, fixed pricing using the provided Pricing Sheet (Exhibit C) that includes all labor, equipment, materials, supplies, and related expenses, with responses due electronically by March 13, 2026 at 10:30 AM Central Time, with a questions and clarifications deadline of March 6, 2026. The contract will begin upon award and expire on August 31, 2027, with one optional one-year extension available at HHSC's sole discretion.

While the solicitation documents do not explicitly identify set-aside designations for disadvantaged or minority-owned businesses, bidders are encouraged, though not required, to submit a HUB Subcontracting Plan demonstrating engagement with historically underutilized businesses. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documents. The historical monetary value for similar services was $30,500 for the period September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025, which provides an estimated budget reference for the anticipated contract value, though the actual award amount will be determined through competitive bidding. All contractors must comply with extensive federal and state compliance requirements, including HHS Contract Affirmations and Uniform Terms and Conditions, E-Verify program utilization, cybersecurity training, and numerous state-specific statutes addressing civil rights, occupational safety, equal employment opportunity, and various Texas regulatory provisions. Intellectual property rights in all work products are exclusively owned by HHSC/DSHS, with contractors retaining ownership only of pre-existing works incorporated into deliverables. Responses must be submitted through one of three methods: email to pcsbids@hhs.texas.gov, the optional HHS Online Bid Room, or overnight delivery of a USB drive, with all required exhibits including signed HHS Solicitation Affirmations (Exhibit A) and completed Pricing Sheet (Exhibit C).