Paternity Testing Services Request for Proposal

The Texas Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Division (OAG-CSD) is seeking a comprehensive paternity testing services contractor to provide regional, state-wide, out-of-state, and international genetic testing capabilities. The contract, which will run from contract signing through August 31, 2029, with two optional one-year renewal periods, requires a single contractor to manage end-to-end paternity testing services. Key deliverables include distributing sample collection kits, providing qualified collection staff across 10 Texas regions, shipping samples, performing genetic testing, drafting results reports, and providing expert witness testimony. The solicitation was posted on September 9, 2025, with a response deadline of October 31, 2025, and an anticipated contract award in early April 2026. Evaluation criteria will be weighted as follows: 35% company qualifications, 40% solution, and 25% pricing, with the goal of selecting the vendor providing the best value to the state. Historical testing volumes indicate approximately 21,000-23,000 contractor DNA sample collections annually across Texas, and the contractor will be responsible for all costs associated with sample collection, testing, and reporting.

The procurement includes a significant Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) component, with a 26% HUB subcontracting goal requiring respondents to complete a HUB Subcontracting Plan. Potential respondents must demonstrate compliance with numerous state and federal regulations, including antitrust laws, child support obligations, cybersecurity training, E-Verify usage, and prohibitions on discriminatory practices. The contract will be funded through the Child Support Enforcement Strategy, with funding contingent on legislative appropriations and federal financial participation. Contractors must provide comprehensive sample collection infrastructure across multiple Texas regions, including major metropolitan areas and rural county courthouses, with specific requirements for collection site availability and geographical coverage. While no incumbent vendor is specified, the detailed technical specifications, including the File Transfer Data document, suggest a sophisticated electronic file transfer system with specific transaction codes and data field requirements for processing paternity testing transactions. The contract appears designed to establish a robust, statewide genetic testing service with significant logistical and technical complexity.