Repair and Maintenance of Equipment used for High-Volume Mycobacteria Growth, Detection and Susceptibility Testing at the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) South Texas Laboratory

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission Procurement and Contracting Services division is requesting bids for repair and maintenance services on Bactec MGIT960 equipment at the Texas Department of State Health Services South Texas Laboratory, with bids due August 19, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. under IFB HHS0017743. The awardee must hold current Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certification from Becton, Dickinson and Company — a mandatory qualification that filters eligibility.

The scope covers one preventative maintenance visit annually and emergency service for two Bactec MGIT960 units (Serial Nos. MG4900 and MG7870) located at 1301 S. Rangerville Road in HHS Region 11. The contractor must respond to service calls within 24 hours, complete repairs within five business days, provide free technical phone support Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and offer unlimited 24-hour toll-free technical support. Services are performed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The initial contract term runs September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, with one option for additional year extension at HHSC's discretion.

The historical spend for similar services was $17,680 for January 1 through August 31, 2026, provided as a guideline only and not as a volume or compensation guarantee. Pricing must be firm and fixed for the contract life, submitted on Exhibit C. Both HHSC and DSHS are entitled to use any awarded contract.

Bidders must demonstrate three years of relevant experience and provide three verifiable references for contracts of similar size and scope within the last three years. Assigned personnel must have two years of relevant experience. Comprehensive insurance requirements include workers' compensation ($1,000,000 employer's liability limit), commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate), commercial automobile ($1,000,000), professional liability ($1,000,000), and umbrella liability ($1,000,000). Award is contingent on HHSC Executive Commissioner approval and best value assessment based on bidder qualifications, ability to meet performance requirements, and price. Contracts are subject to appropriations and fund availability.