Video Directly Observed Therapy (“VDOT”) RFO

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), procuring on behalf of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), is requesting proposals for a Video Directly Observed Therapy (VDOT) software platform to support tuberculosis medication adherence monitoring, with proposals due October 29, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Central Time and a pre-proposal conference on October 5. Written questions are due October 7. Respondents must demonstrate at least four years of recent experience providing VDOT services and obtain TX-RAMP Level 2 certification prior to contract award.

The VDOT system must support both synchronous (real-time video) and asynchronous (recorded video submission) observation of TB patients, function on mobile devices, and integrate with existing state information systems. Deliverables include a Transition Plan (seven business days after contract effective date), weekly written status reports, a Readiness Assessment Plan (14 business days after effective date), and a System Security Plan (21 calendar days after effective date). The system must achieve minimum 99% monthly uptime with liquidated damages of $200 per percentage point below threshold. All resources must be based in the contiguous United States. Key personnel include an Account Manager with minimum two years' healthcare contract management experience and a Technical Lead with minimum five years' application architecture experience; replacement timelines of 10 business days carry liquidated damages of $200 per day, capped at $4,000 monthly.

The contractor must comply with HIPAA, obtain TX-RAMP Level 2 certification, provide SOC2 Type II reports annually, and ensure WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA accessibility. Information Security and Privacy controls must meet the HHS MODERATE security baseline (NIST SP 800-53R5 equivalent) with 151 required controls. The contract requires cyber insurance of $2 million per occurrence, technology professional liability errors and omissions of $2 million per occurrence, and umbrella liability of $2 million with drop-down coverage, among other policies.

Historical compensation is approximately $188,400 per fiscal year, though DSHS reserves the right to adjust based on state funding. The initial contract term is one year with DSHS holding options to extend for up to four additional one-year periods, plus one additional option period for operational needs not exceeding one year. Evaluation weighted at 30% relevant experience, 50% narrative and technical proposal (including 10% transition and turnover approach, 20% narrative quality, 20% technical quality), and 20% cost. Anticipated award is March 2027 with contract start also in March 2027. All respondents must submit a completed subcontracting plan with a VetHUB utilization goal of 26% of total contract value.