HHS0016996 Car Seat for Texas Department of State

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), through the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Procurement and Contracting Services division, is issuing an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the purchase of infant passenger car seats under the Safe Riders program. The procurement requires four specific Evenflo car seat models: Titan/SureRide 65 Convertible (2,722 units), Tribute 5 Convertible (508 units), SecureKid Booster (840 units), and GoTime High Back Booster (102 units), totaling 4,172 units for delivery to a single facility. All deliveries must occur between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM on specified dates, excluding 11:00 AM to noon, with the vendor responsible for all delivery-related charges, including overtime and restocking fees. Pricing must be submitted on the provided Exhibit C Pricing Sheet as firm, fixed prices, and HHSC reserves the right to award to one or multiple vendors offering the best value rather than necessarily the lowest price. The questions and clarifications deadline is January 28, 2026, with bid responses due by February 10, 2026, at 10:30 AM Central Time. The anticipated contract start date is March 2026, with an initial term through August 31, 2026, and a possible one-year extension option at HHSC's sole discretion. Historical spending for similar goods ranged from $205,050 to $450,000 for FY 2025, provided as a guideline only.

HUB Subcontracting Plans are encouraged but not required, indicating that while minority or disadvantaged business enterprise participation is valued, it is not a mandatory set-aside. No incumbent vendor or current contractor is identified in the solicitation documents. Vendors must meet all standard compliance requirements outlined in the HHS Solicitation Affirmations form (Exhibit A), including debarment and suspension status verification, tax obligation compliance, E-Verify participation, and adherence to Texas-specific requirements such as Buy Texas provisions and boycott certifications. The goods must be Evenflo brand with specific part numbers, with no substitutions permitted without prior written approval from the HHSC purchaser, and products failing to meet specifications or arriving damaged will be rejected at the vendor's expense. Bidders may submit responses electronically through the optional HHS Online Bid Room or through other designated submission methods specified in the solicitation, with registration through IAMOnline required for electronic submission. Contractors must immediately implement any available price decreases and may request adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index using formulas specified in the IFB or for federal minimum wage increases with supporting documentation.