Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist_AuSSLC

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), acting on behalf of the Austin State Supported Living Center in Austin, Texas, is soliciting bids for a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist to provide specialized services to residents with visual, hearing, and dual sensory impairments. The solicitation, numbered HHS0016970 and posted on June 1, 2026, is an Invitation for Bids (IFB) with a response deadline of June 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time. The contract, assigned NAICS code 624120, is for therapy and rehabilitation services and requires the contractor to deliver comprehensive orientation and mobility training including pre-cane instruction, sighted guide techniques with trailing modifications, assessments for blindness and Deaf/Blind conditions, and staff training on safe transport and escort procedures. The contract term begins upon award and expires on August 31, 2026, with no renewals permitted except for a possible one-year extension at HHSC’s sole discretion based on funding and operational needs. Services must be performed Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central Time, with after-hours work requiring written approval and billing at a premium rate. Response times to service calls must not exceed four hours, and all work is to be conducted on-site at designated HHSC facilities. Bidders must meet stringent qualifications, including demonstrating technical competence, performance capability, financial solvency, and relevant past performance, with technical requirements serving as a mandatory pass/fail gate. Pricing must be submitted using Exhibit C – Pricing Sheet, with all costs considered all-inclusive; the state will not reimburse for incidental expenses such as travel, per diem, hotel, equipment, or office supplies. Invoices must be submitted monthly, itemized by service, include the contract or purchase order number, and be approved by HHSC before payment, which is governed by the Texas Prompt Payment Act. Contractors must maintain workers’ compensation and employer’s liability insurance with limits of $1 million per accident and per employee, including a waiver of subrogation in favor of HHSC. Compliance with NIST SP 800-53 for data security, adherence to anti-discrimination laws including Title VI, Section 504, the ADA, and Title IX, and prohibitions against human trafficking and use of confidential information are mandatory. All respondents must submit entity