Direct Care Services

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is soliciting competitive bids to establish contracts for Direct Care Services under solicitation number HHS0017491, with responses due by June 26, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time. The contract focuses on maintaining the existing Direct Service Workforce (DSW) online portal, which connects job seekers with employers providing home and community-based services under state plan authorities including 1915(c), 1915(i), 1915(j), and 1115 waivers. Services are delivered remotely during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, with a requirement to respond to service calls within four hours of request. The contract term begins on the date of award and ends on August 31, 2029, with a possible one-year extension at HHSC’s discretion. All pricing must be submitted via Exhibit C – Pricing Sheet as firm, fixed, all-inclusive rates covering labor, equipment, materials, and incidental expenses, with no allowances for additional costs such as travel, per diem, or office supplies. The historical annual spend for similar services is approximately $180,000, though no volume or funding guarantee is provided. Contractors must comply with a comprehensive set of requirements including Texas Workers’ Compensation Act coverage with a waiver of subrogation in favor of HHSC, employer’s liability insurance limits of $1 million per accident and per employee, and maintenance of active insurance throughout the contract and any extensions. Bidders are required to submit Exhibit A – HHS Solicitation Affirmations, Exhibit B – Uniform Terms and Conditions, Exhibit D – Contractor Qualifications Form, and Form 1295 – Certificate of Interested Parties processed through the Texas Ethics Commission, along with a HUB Subcontracting Plan. Responses must be submitted either via email to pcsbids@hhs.texas.gov with proper subject line formatting or through the HHS Online Bid Room, and must include a physical USB drive sealed in a labeled envelope or carton containing all documents in Microsoft Office formats, with signed documents in PDF. Late, incomplete, or noncompliant submissions will be disqualified. Evaluation will consider performance delivery, ability to perform, past vendor performance, and price, with award based on best value to the State of Texas, not necessarily lowest price. Contractors must adhere to strict