DataPower Buddy (DPBuddy) License and Support

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is seeking competitive bids for DataPower Buddy (DPBuddy) licenses and ongoing support to automate the administration, deployment, and management of IBM DataPower Gateways. The solicitation, identified as HHS0017322, is open to all qualified vendors with a submission deadline of June 1, 2026, at 10:30 AM Central Time. Responses must be submitted electronically via email or the HHS Online Bid Room, or via USB drive using hand delivery or overnight mail to a specified Austin address; hard copies are not accepted. All documents must be in Microsoft Office or PDF formats, with individual files not exceeding 25 MB. Proposals must include Exhibit A—HHS Solicitation Affirmations—which, if not completed, results in disqualification. Bidders must also comply with Texas Public Information Act requirements, identifying and properly marking any confidential or proprietary information, and upon award, must submit Form 1295 to the Texas Ethics Commission. The resulting contract will have an initial term of twelve months, with up to two optional one-year renewals and a possible one-year administrative extension at the state’s discretion. Performance is required at locations specified on individual purchase orders across Texas, with deliveries scheduled in advance through the designated point of contact. No FOB terms are defined, and the vendor bears full responsibility for packaging, shipping, and ensuring delivery integrity without reimbursement for travel or incidental expenses. Evaluation will be based on best value, not lowest price, considering the bidder’s ability to meet specifications, past performance, and price—though no numerical weights are assigned. The award process permits trade-offs between cost and performance, emphasizing technical capability alongside reasonable pricing. Invoicing must align with Exhibit C’s pricing structure and include the purchase order number and detailed description of work, with payment governed by the Texas Prompt Payment Act. The contract does not require security clearances, named key personnel, or adherence to federal military packaging standards, nor are federal accounting codes or electronic invoicing systems like WAWF mandated. The contracting officer’s representative or procurement contracting officer will be identified after award; prior to that, all inquiries should be directed to Steve Ruiz at HHSC PCS.