Tires & Tubes

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) No. HHS0015610 for Tires, Tubes, Associated Products & Services to support its Fleet Management Division. The solicitation covers comprehensive tire replacement and maintenance services for approximately 25 state vehicles, including various makes and models from 1995 to 2024, ranging from vans and SUVs to semi-trucks and trailers. Required services encompass flat repairs, roadside tire replacement, wheel refurbishing, valve stem repair/replacement, tire balancing/rotation, road hazard warranties, and in-shop repairs. Services must be performed at vendor locations throughout Texas, with an option for on-site service within 50 miles of the HHSC office in Austin. The IFB specifies that vendors must provide estimates for HHSC review and approval before beginning work, with services to be delivered during regular business hours (8am-5pm Monday-Friday). The bid response is due on November 22, 2024, at 10:30 AM, with questions required by November 14, 2024, and the initial contract term running from November 25, 2024, through August 31, 2025, with a potential 90-day extension option.

The solicitation includes provisions for Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) subcontracting, though submission of a HUB Subcontracting Plan is not mandatory. HHSC will evaluate and award the contract based on best value rather than lowest price, considering factors such as the bidder's ability to meet performance requirements, past performance, and overall pricing. There are no specific set-asides or incumbent vendor restrictions mentioned in the documentation. The contract will be funded through HHSC's budget allocation, but no specific funding amounts are disclosed. While no guaranteed minimum purchase quantities are specified, the blanket purchase order allows HHSC to procure tire and maintenance services as needed, with payment made only for products and services actually delivered. Vendors must be prepared to provide detailed pricing for various tire sizes, service types, and associated fees, including tire disposal and road hazard warranties. The solicitation emphasizes that HHSC is not obligated to select the lowest-priced response and will award to the bidder providing the most advantageous overall proposal to the state.