RFP - Emergency Management Services Data Platform for Harris County Public Health Services

Harris County Public Health Services is seeking proposals for an Emergency Management Services Data Platform through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The procurement aims to establish a subscription-based emergency room data system designed to support public health response capabilities, with a specific focus on delivering timely, secure access to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data, particularly for overdose surveillance and priority health indicators. The contract term is anticipated to run from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027, with potential for four one-year renewal options. The data platform must comply with federal and state data exchange standards, support HIPAA and SAMHSA guidelines, and integrate with existing public health infrastructure. Technical requirements include robust interoperability standards, secure APIs, cloud hosting, and compatibility with local systems. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for October 21, 2025, via Teams, with proposal submissions due by 2:00 PM on November 17, 2025. The evaluation will be comprehensive, with criteria including firm experience (20%), capacity and resources (20%), organization and methodology (25%), vendor presentation (10%), pricing (20%), and references (5%).

The RFP appears to be open to a wide range of IT vendors, with potential opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses. Vendors must comply with Harris County's Minimum Wage Policy, which establishes a mandatory minimum wage of $21.65 per hour for contract workers, and meet extensive cybersecurity requirements outlined in the Minimum IT Security Vendor Controls List. Specific compliance requirements include annual cybersecurity training, background checks, secure coding practices, multi-factor authentication, and adherence to industry standards like NIST, HIPAA, PCI, and ISO27001. Vendors must provide comprehensive documentation, including SOC2 Type 2 Reports, penetration test reports, and detailed security practice questionnaires. Insurance requirements are stringent, mandating coverage from Texas-licensed companies with an A.M. Best rating of at least A-VII, with minimum coverage limits ranging from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 depending on the insurance type. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the project is funded through federal grant monies, potentially from sources including HUD, FEMA, or other federal agencies, suggesting significant potential contract value.