Specops Services Suite

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Procurement and Contracting Services, on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the Specops Services Suite, posted April 29, 2026, with written questions due by May 5, 2026, written answers posted by May 8, 2026, and responses due May 13, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. The procurement seeks integrated cybersecurity and access management solutions consisting of three primary components: Specops Service Desk (a caller verification tool for multi-factor user authentication), Specops Password Policy (enforcing granular Active Directory password requirements and breach detection), and Specops Reset (a self-service password reset and account unlock solution), to be delivered remotely to support DFPS operations. The solicitation includes six line items with specified part numbers, each designated as a single lot with a quantity of one, including Specops Breached Password Protection-Subscription, Specs Ops Password Policy-Subscription, Third Party Authentication Package, Specops uReset Hybrid Edition, and Specops Cloud Setup & Installation Test. Award will be made to the respondent whose proposal is most advantageous to DFPS considering cost and other evaluation factors including experience, performance record, and capabilities. Respondents must submit firm, fixed pricing using the provided Exhibit C Pricing Sheet in US dollars with no alternative currencies permitted, and must provide a minimum of three business references demonstrating similar services provided within the last two years, with failure to provide references potentially resulting in disqualification. The initial contract term is one year with two optional one-year renewal periods for a maximum three-year contract term, with DFPS reserving the right to extend the contract for an additional year beyond renewals for continuity of service and transition purposes.

The solicitation does not identify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises; however, if respondents determine a need to subcontract, they must notify the HHSC point of contact within five business days of solicitation posting and submit a complete HUB Subcontracting Plan with their proposal. All respondents must comply with comprehensive contractual requirements established in Exhibit B, including financial participation restrictions, suspension and debarment certifications, human trafficking prohibitions, cybersecurity training requirements, child support obligation verification, and fraud and waste reporting obligations, as well as compliance with multiple state and federal laws including the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act, the Texas Public Information Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contractors must maintain E-Verify compliance for employee eligibility verification, comply with DFPS's Data and System Security Requirements and Uniform Accessibility Requirements, and maintain records for a minimum of seven years following contract termination. Price adjustments during the contract term are not automatic and may only be made at DFPS's sole discretion, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W or CPI-U) as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Region VI, using a specified calculation formula, with contractors required to immediately implement any price decreases that become available. No specific award value or budget range was disclosed in the available solicitation documents, and no incumbent vendors or current contractors were identified. Submission of the completed Exhibit C Pricing Sheet and Exhibit A (HHS Solicitation Affirmations) is mandatory, with failure to submit either document resulting in bid disqualification, and bidders must acknowledge all addenda through submission of Addendum Acknowledgement Forms if addenda have been issued.