Sole Source- Service Agreement on Cepheid GeneXperts for Regional Clinical Laboratories

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission and Department of State Health Services are soliciting bids under a sole-source procurement for a two-year service agreement on Cepheid GeneXpert instrument maintenance at nine state hospital facilities, with bids due August 18, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Central Time. The solicitation is issued under Texas Government Code Section 2155.067, requiring exact conformance to the specified brand, make, and model.

The scope covers unlimited 24/7 technical phone support with limited holiday coverage, remote diagnostics, two business-day onsite response times, unlimited labor and parts for repair, annual onsite Xpert Check inspections, and one-hour emergency response capability for nine Cepheid GeneXpert GX4XES2Y instruments deployed at Big Spring State Hospital, El Paso Psychiatric Center, Kerrville State Hospital, North Texas State Hospital Vernon and Wichita Falls campuses, Rio Grande State Center, Rusk State Hospital, Terrell State Hospital, and Waco Center for the Youth. Contractor personnel must be at least 18 years old and properly trained. Bidders must document a minimum of four years' relevant experience and submit three verifiable references for similar contracts within the past four years.

Historical annual spending for similar services is $52,270. Pricing must be submitted as firm, fixed prices on the provided Pricing Sheet (Exhibit C), inclusive of all labor, equipment, materials, and supplies for the contract life. Price adjustments are permitted only at HHSC's discretion using the Consumer Price Index formula or in response to federal minimum wage increases. The initial contract term runs through August 31, 2027, followed by two optional one-year renewals and one optional one-year extension.

Insurance requirements include workers' compensation, commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence, commercial automobile liability of $1 million, professional liability of $1 million, and umbrella liability of $1 million. Questions are due August 7, 2026, with responses posted as addenda by August 11. The anticipated contract start date is September 1, 2026. Bidders must submit Exhibits A (HHS Solicitation Affirmations), B (contract affirmations), C (pricing sheet), and D (bidder qualifications form) with acknowledgment of any addenda. Responses may be submitted via email, HHS Online Bid Room, or hand delivery/overnight mail on USB drive.