RFP 2026-P13 Indigent Cremation and Burial Services

Hays County Purchasing Office in San Marcos, Texas, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP 2026-P13) for comprehensive indigent cremation and burial services. The procurement seeks a qualified vendor to provide transportation, preparation, containment, embalming, grave markers, body dressing, funeral services, death certificate filing, permit acquisition, cemetery mapping, and cremation or burial services on a case-by-case basis as authorized by the Hays County Health Department. All services must comply strictly with Texas Occupations Code Chapter 651, Texas Health and Safety Code, and Texas Funeral Commission Standards and Regulations. Required qualifications include a minimum of five years' experience in indigent cremation and burial services, maintenance of at least two transport vehicles with access to additional resources, on-site storage coolers, and a licensed funeral director on staff. Vendors must submit proposals by May 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time, with anticipated contract award in June 2026. Evaluation will be based on capacity to perform (45 points), proposed cost (30 points), and company experience (25 points), with the County retaining the right to conduct interviews and award to multiple contractors, designating primary and standby service providers. The initial contract term is one year from execution, with four optional one-year renewal periods available.

Submission requirements include one original and one digital copy via thumb drive or electronic submission through BidNet Direct, with a hard copy delivered within 24 hours. Vendors must comply with extensive certifications and disclosures, including debarment verification through SAM.gov, conflict of interest disclosures, ethics compliance, HUB practices acknowledgment, and various divestment and boycott certifications. Contractors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage including $1,000,000 Commercial General Liability, $250,000 Business Automobile Liability per person, and Worker's Compensation meeting statutory requirements. The RFP includes a proposed fee schedule attachment (Attachment A) that bidders must complete to establish the financial terms of service, with pricing methodology clearly articulated and subject to any budget constraints specified by the County. While no specific award value or budget range is listed, the County notes it will not guarantee funding availability beyond the current fiscal year but anticipates this as a recurring expense. No set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are specified in the available documentation, and no incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified.