Request for qualifications (RFQ) for respite

The South Texas Development Council (STDC), in partnership with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to procure respite care services for the Middle Rio Aging and Disability Resource Center (MRARDC) service area, which encompasses nine counties in the region. The RFQ seeks to select one qualified service provider to deliver respite services to individuals with disabilities of any age and individuals under age 60, with the primary objective of providing short-term relief to informal, unpaid caregivers. Qualified respondents must demonstrate good standing with all state and federal agencies, maintain current DUNS and System for Award Management (SAM) registrations, hold all required state licenses, and ensure that all staff and volunteers providing services receive appropriate training or licensure. The service agreement will be effective from May 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026, with compensation structured on a unit-of-service basis using negotiated fixed unit costs for authorized services rather than cost reimbursement. Invoices must be submitted within 30 days following service conclusion, with STDC committing to payment within 45 days of invoice receipt. The notice of availability was published on March 10, 2026, with a deadline for submission of qualifications at 5:00 PM on April 1, 2026; respondents must submit one original and two copies of their proposal to STDC's offices in Laredo, Texas, either by mail or hand delivery.

The RFQ document does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting the types of organizations that may respond, nor does it identify any disadvantaged enterprise requirements. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are referenced in the available procurement documentation. All responding contractors must comply with extensive federal and state requirements, including HIPAA regulations, the Older Americans Act, non-discrimination standards, drug-free workplace requirements, and data protection obligations outlined in the attached Data Use Agreement; additionally, contractors must provide debarment certifications and conflict-of-interest declarations. While the procurement documents do not specify an explicit award value or budget range, compensation will be determined through negotiated fixed unit costs for authorized respite services, with final approval contingent on funding availability and continued authorization from the state.