Virtualized Session Border Controller Maintenance

The Texas Department of Information Resources is requesting bids for Virtualized Session Border Controller maintenance services under IFB-026-FY26, with responses due September 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. Questions are due August 25, 2026, with DIR responses scheduled for September 10, 2026.

The scope covers software maintenance for a critical VoIP and telecommunications security component within DIR's HCS VOIP Platform. The platform manages voice, video, and data communications and provides toll fraud blocking, denial-of-service attack prevention, topology hiding, protocol interoperability, and session control with rate limiting and Quality of Service management. Vendors must ensure employee cybersecurity training completion during the contract term and compliance with Texas Government Code Chapter 2054, Subchapter M and WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.

The initial contract term is 12 months from award, with DIR holding a discretionary option to extend for up to two additional 12-month renewal periods. Anticipated award is on or after September 18, 2026. Bids must remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days.

For contracts valued at $100,000 or more across the initial term and all optional renewals combined, a signed Subcontracting Plan consistent with Texas Government Code Section 2161 is required, with an identified subcontracting goal of 21.1%.

DIR will award to the respondent offering best value, evaluating life cycle costs, quality and reliability, delivery terms, vendor performance indicators, training costs, agency productivity effects, compatibility with existing data systems, expansion and upgrading capacity, reliability factors, and technical support requirements. DIR reserves the right to make single or multiple awards.

Responses must include a signed IFB with proposed pricing (line items for initial platform fee if applicable and 12-month maintenance, plus optional pricing for two additional years), a completed Subcontracting Plan if applicable, Accessibility Conformance Reports using VPAT 2.4 or higher, a Policy Driven Adoption for Accessibility self-assessment, a W-9, and signature pages for any applicable addendums. Addendum 1 (September 4, 2026) extended the response deadline from September 4 to September 15, 2026. Contact: Ava Ruschmyer, CTCD, CTCM (ava.ruschmyer@dir.texas.gov).