Tobacco Cessation Services – Texas Tobacco Quitline

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) are seeking a contractor to operate the Texas Tobacco Quitline (TTQL), an evidence-based tobacco cessation treatment service for Texas residents ages 13 and older. The selected provider will deliver comprehensive services including enrollment, intake, nicotine replacement therapy assessment and delivery, cessation coaching, youth cessation services, and support materials. Services must be available 365 days a year, 24/7, with both English and Spanish support, maintaining an 80% call answer rate within 30 seconds. Key procurement dates include an optional pre-proposal conference on November 8, 2024, questions due by November 12, 2024, question responses posted by November 21, 2024, and proposals due December 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM CT. The evaluation criteria will weight Qualifications and Experience at 30%, Project Work Plan at 40%, and Cost at 30%. Respondents must have at least 5 years of experience as a tobacco cessation provider and demonstrate financial solvency adhering to National Association of Quit Center (NAQC) standards.

The solicitation requires a HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) Subcontracting Plan, indicating a preference for historically underutilized businesses. Contractors must obtain TX-RAMP Level 2 certification for cloud computing services prior to contract award and maintain capabilities for electronic health record integration, with the current environment including 16 HL7V3 and 16 HL7V2 eReferral connections. Historical data shows the TTQL averaged 1,572 monthly calls in 2023, with 93.4% in English and 6.6% in Spanish. The initial contract term is two years with up to three additional one-year extension options. Historical compensation has been approximately $2.5 million per contract year, though HHSC provides no guarantee of volume or usage. Funding will come from agency operating budgets and is subject to appropriations. HHSC reserves the right to request Best and Final Offers (BAFOs) and will make the award based on a best value determination rather than lowest price.