Annual Preventative Maintenance Plan for Qiagen EZ1 Extraction Instruments for the Texas Department of State Health Services Laboratory in Austin, Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services Laboratory in Austin, Texas, is soliciting competitive bids for an annual preventative maintenance plan specifically for Qiagen EZ1 Extraction Instruments under IFB No. HHS0017229v2, with a contract start date of September 1, 2026. Bidders must submit proposals adhering strictly to the specified brand, make, and model, and must use Exhibit C – Pricing Sheet to provide all pricing information in firm, fixed prices for the life of the contract. Proposals are due by August 21, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time, and must be submitted via email, the HHS Online Bid Room, hand delivery, or overnight mail to designated Austin locations, with strict formatting requirements including Microsoft Office and PDF formats, file size limits, and mandatory completion of Exhibits A and C. Failure to submit these core documents will result in disqualification. The contract term is one year from start date through August 31, 2027, with options for up to three one-year renewals and a possible one-year extension to ensure service continuity. Services must be performed Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time at the Austin laboratory, with all work requiring notification for HHS inspection and acceptance, and continuous quality monitoring by contractor personnel. Award will be based on best value to the State of Texas, considering price, demonstrated experience, financial capability, capacity to fulfill requirements, and past performance, with no obligation to select the lowest bid. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including commercial general liability, commercial automobile liability, professional liability, and umbrella liability, all with specified minimum limits and naming the Health and Human Services Commission as additional insured. All personnel, including subcontractors, must pass Texas DPS criminal and sex offender background checks, with disqualification for convictions related to abuse or fraud, and must wear uniforms and identification badges on site. Contractors are required to use E-Verify for all employees and comply with Texas Administrative Code standards of conduct, submit a Form 1295 Certificate of Interested Parties upon award, and obtain a Texas Identification Number to receive payment. Invoicing is monthly, requires a Contract or Purchase Order number and detailed description of completed work, and is governed by the Texas Prompt Payment Act. All payments are based solely on Exhibit C pricing, and contractors are responsible for all incidental expenses such as travel, equipment, and office supplies. Packaging of physical