Texas Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)

Executive Summary

The State of Texas, by and through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and on behalf of the Center for Health Statistics (CHS) of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), seeks to establish a contract with an entity to implement and coordinate the statewide and biennial paper-based Texas YRBS in accordance with the specifications contained in this RFP.

The YRBS will collect statewide information from a representative sample of public and charter high school students by using a survey process that strictly adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols and standards for quality assurance.

HHSC PCS will administer the procurement process for this Solicitation, which includes RFP publication, handling of communications from vendors, as well as managing the receipt of Solicitation Responses for review and evaluation.

To be considered for award, a Respondent must execute Exhibit A, HHS Solicitation Affirmations Version 2.4, and provide all other required information and documentation as set forth in this Solicitation.

Information regarding DSHS and its programs is available online and can currently be accessed at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/.

Scope of Work

The YRBS was developed by the CDC to monitor priority health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States. These behaviors fall into the following six (6) categories:

A. Behaviors that result in violence and unintentional injuries;

B. Tobacco use;

C. Alcohol and other drug use;

D. Sexual behaviors that result in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancies;

E. Unhealthy dietary behaviors; and

F. Physical inactivity.

In addition, the YRBS estimates measures of general health status and the prevalence of obesity and asthma.

A coordinated effort between the DSHS Community Assessment Team (CAT) within CHS and the CDC implements and manages the Texas YRBS. DSHS works directly with both the CDC and the CDC's contractors. DSHS may receive direction and counsel from either their program officer at CDC or the CDC contractor statisticians.

The 2021 Texas YRBS included a sample of approximately fifty (50) public and charter high schools throughout Texas.

For additional information on CDC protocols concerning sampling and clearance, please review Exhibit K, Handbook for Conducting Youth Risk Behavior Surveys 2023.

For additional information on the methodology used in the 2013 Texas YRBS survey, please review Exhibit L, Methodology of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System - 2013, (published on March 1, 2013, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report).

Contract Term

The initial term of any Contract resulting from this Solicitation will be two (2) years, which is expected to begin September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2026. DSHS, at its sole option, may extend any Contract awarded pursuant to this Solicitation for up to three (3) additional one (1) year periods.

Notwithstanding the limitation in the preceding paragraph and with at least 30 calendar days advance written notice to Contractor, at the end of the initial term or any renewal period, DSHS, at its sole discretion, may extend this Contract as necessary to ensure continuity of service, for purposes of transition, or as otherwise determined by DSHS to serve the best interest of the State for up to 12 months, in one-month intervals, at the then-current contract rate or rates (if applicable) as modified during the Contract Term.

Optional HSP Training

HHSC PCS will conduct an HSP Training. Attendance is optional but highly recommended.

HHSC PCS will hold the HSP Training webinar on the date and time set out in Section 3.1 (Schedule of Events).

People with disabilities who wish to attend the meeting and require auxiliary aids or services should contact the Sole Point of Contact identified in Section 3.3.1 (Sole Point of Contact), at least seventy-two (72) hours before the meeting in order to have reasonable accommodations made by HHSC.

For further information regarding the webinar, see below;

Webinar Information:

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6918199061835951451

Schedule of Events

EVENT

DATE/TIME

Solicitation Posting Date to ESBD

October 20, 2023

HSP Training - Attendance is Optional

October 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Central Time

Deadline for Submitting Questions or Requests for Clarification

November 3, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time

Tentative Date Responses to Questions or Requests for Clarification Posted on ESBD

November 10, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time

Deadline for Courtesy HSP Review

November 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time

Deadline for Submission of Solicitation Responses [NOTE: Responses must be RECEIVED by HHSC by the deadline.]

November 28, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time

Evaluation Period

December 2023 - January 2024

Anticipated Notice of Award

April - May 2024

Anticipated Contract Start Date

September 1, 2024