Texas On Road Vehicle Emissions Testing (TORVET)

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is soliciting proposals for the Texas On Road Vehicle Emissions Testing (TORVET) program through Solicitation No. 405-25R0006092, targeting non-attainment counties including El Paso County, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston/Galveston, and other Early Action Compact counties. The five-year contract requires a contractor-provided, contractor-hosted service to collect direct vehicle emission readings for vehicles in model years 2-24, with the primary objectives of categorizing emission levels, capturing vehicle data, and potentially sending advisory letters to high-emitting vehicle owners. Contractors must test vehicles, provide EPA reporting, generate monthly testing results, create advisory reminder letters, and deliver ad-hoc and compliance reports. Electronic responses are due by 5:00 P.M. Central Time on July 14, 2025, with an anticipated contract award in October 2025. The contract will be awarded using a best value standard, with evaluation criteria including technical requirements (35 points), vendor performance indicators (25 points), and cost (40 points). Successful vendors must comply with comprehensive cybersecurity requirements, including providing a Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire and deploying services in an environment authorized by TX-RAMP, StateRAMP, or FedRAMP.

The solicitation includes a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan with a 26.0% HUB goal for all other services contracts, encouraging participation from diverse businesses. Vendors must demonstrate good faith efforts in providing subcontracting opportunities to Texas certified HUB vendors and can choose to subcontract to HUB and non-HUB vendors or self-perform the entire contract. Additional requirements include completing an Information and Certifications Form covering various legal and operational domains, such as child support obligations, executive employment restrictions, and anti-discrimination provisions. Vendors must also provide financial stability documentation and potentially obtain cyber insurance. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the Mandatory Pricing Schedule suggests a tiered pricing approach based on population sizes and service components. The contract is funded through the Texas Department of Public Safety in partnership with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and aims to ensure compliance with federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Potential vendors must navigate a comprehensive set of requirements, including cybersecurity protocols, data protection standards, and various state and federal compliance attestations.