Consumables Respiratory Panel Kits for MiSeq Instrumentation

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, through the Department of State Health Services, is seeking competitive bids to establish contracts for respiratory pathogen panels and associated library preparation and enrichment kits compatible with MiSeq instrumentation. The primary objective is to support statewide wastewater surveillance efforts by enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple respiratory pathogens—including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV—from a single sample, while also providing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) information critical for outbreak preparedness and public health response. The solicitation, identified as HHS0017272, requires bidders to deliver next-generation sequencing kits that meet or exceed detailed technical specifications outlined in Exhibit C, with equivalent products acceptable if supported by published evidence of performance parity. Proposals must be submitted electronically via email or the HHS Online Bid Room, or via USB drive, with no hard copies accepted, and all submissions are due by May 19, 2026. Bidders must hold a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov and complete the HHS Solicitation Affirmations in Exhibit A, which includes certifications regarding legal actions, boycott compliance, felony convictions, and public information disclosure obligations. The evaluation process employs a best value standard, weighing technical compliance and vendor performance history equally with price, without assigned weights, allowing for trade-offs between cost and non-price factors. Contract award will be made to the respondent offering the greatest overall value to the State of Texas, with no guarantee of selecting the lowest bidder. The initial contract term runs through August 31, 2026, with deliveries to occur at addresses specified on individual purchase orders. Inspection and acceptance occur at the delivery location, with the State retaining the right to audit any site where work is performed or records are maintained. All contractual obligations extend to subcontractors, who must adhere to the same terms including audit access, public information disclosure, and indemnification requirements. The State reserves broad rights to use, reproduce, and disclose any information generated under the contract and requires full compliance with Texas laws, including prompt payment rules, E-Verify, and the Public Information Act. Packaging must clearly label outer cartons with content description, purchase order number, and quantity per carton, and pallets must be shrink-wrapped and labeled, though no specific barcoding, preservation, or military standards are mandated. Failure to comply with any representation, certification, or contractual condition may result in disqualification or termination.