FY26 Multi-Media Campaign for Foster Grandparent P

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), in coordination with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for multimedia advertising and campaign services to promote the Foster Grandparents Program (FGP) across ten Texas service areas: Abilene, Austin, Corpus Christi, Denton, Fort Worth, Lubbock, Lufkin, Mexia, Rosenberg, and Temple. The procurement requires a Third-Party Organization (TPO) to execute a comprehensive advertising campaign consisting of direct mail postcards distributed via value pack to all ten service areas and print media advertisements (1/2- and 1/4-page placements in newspapers and senior citizen magazines) in the Temple service area only. The target audience includes individuals aged 55 and older as the primary demographic and those 25 and older as secondary audience, with the campaign designed to increase awareness of FGP services and serve as a recruitment tool for volunteers and volunteer stations. The contract commences upon award and expires August 31, 2026, with one optional one-year extension available at HHSC's discretion; the campaign must launch on or before April 1, 2026, to coincide with National Volunteer Month, with all advertisements completed by June 30, 2026. Bidders must submit responses by February 3, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., with a questions deadline of January 26, 2026, and responses to questions posted by January 30, 2026. Required qualifications include a minimum of one year of relevant experience, three verifiable references for similar contracts completed within the past year, proof of financial capability and solvency, and workers' compensation, commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), commercial automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), professional liability ($1,000,000), and umbrella liability ($1,000,000) insurance. Evaluation criteria include meeting or exceeding IFB requirements, ability to meet performance delivery requirements, and price, with award made to the bidder offering the best value to the State of Texas; HHSC is not obligated to select the lowest-priced response.

The procurement documents do not identify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to disadvantaged enterprises or other categories of vendors; however, all respondents must comply with extensive state and federal requirements including E-Verify employment verification, background checks on all personnel, compliance with civil rights statutes, cybersecurity training mandates, and certifications related to debarment status, human trafficking, child support obligations, franchise tax compliance, and various state-specific restrictions. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available solicitation materials. Bidders must submit three distinct price quotes: the cost to post advertisements for HHS print media in the Temple service area, the cost to mail postcards to all ten service areas, and an all-inclusive price covering all requirements; pricing must be firm and fixed for the contract term with all labor, equipment, materials, supplies, and related expenses included in the unit rates. The historical spend for similar services is $65,000.00 for the September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2025 period; however, HHSC does not guarantee any volume, usage, or compensation. All required documentation including Exhibit A (HHS Solicitation Affirmations), Exhibit C (Pricing Sheet), Exhibit D (Bidder Reference Form), and proof of financial capability and solvency must be submitted to qualify for award consideration, with failure to submit affirmations or pricing sheet resulting in bid disqualification.