Sole Source Perkin Elmer Maintenance Contracts for DSHS Lab

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is requesting bids on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for sole-source maintenance and repair services for Perkin Elmer laboratory instruments at the DSHS Lab in Austin, Texas, with bids due September 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. CST and a questions deadline of September 10, 2026. This is a sole-source procurement targeting Perkin Elmer equipment. No subcontracting is permitted for any aspect of the work due to the critical public health nature of the equipment.

The scope includes unlimited on-demand, on-site repair services and preventative maintenance for analytical instruments used in lead screening, biothreat testing, chemical threat testing, inorganic analysis, and radiochemistry testing. Equipment requiring service includes NEXION 350 Q and 2000 models, SC-4 DX and SC-2 DX autosamplers, SPECTRUM TWO/SPOTLIGHT 200I with automatic DD-ATR accessory, FIMS 400 Mercury Analyzer, and associated chillers. Most equipment (18 of 22 items) requires two preventative maintenance visits annually; three items require one visit annually. Required service includes three-business-day on-site response time for repairs, unlimited online and phone technical support at no additional charge, and detailed service reports within two business days of each repair. Contractors must use only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and assign factory-trained service engineers with a minimum of two years' relevant experience; no subcontracting is permitted.

The historical spend for similar services is $671,500. The anticipated contract start date is January 1, 2027, with an initial term through August 31, 2027, four optional one-year renewal periods through August 31, 2030, and one potential one-year extension thereafter. Pricing must be firm and fixed, submitted on Exhibit C, and include all labor, equipment, materials, parts, supplies, and travel costs with no additional charges permitted.

Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of three years of relevant experience and provide three verifiable references for similar contracts within the past five years. Required insurance includes Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate), Commercial Automobile Liability ($1 million combined single limit), Professional Liability ($1 million), and Umbrella Liability ($1 million). Evaluation will be based on meeting or exceeding IFB requirements, ability to meet performance delivery requirements, and price, with award made to the bidder offering the best value to the state.