Employee Assistance Program Services

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is seeking qualified vendors to provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) serving approximately 393 employees, including full-time, part-time, contract, and separated employees for up to six months after termination, as well as their dependents and household members. The program requires comprehensive services such as needs assessments during initial counseling sessions covering substance abuse, crisis intervention, grief support, and post-treatment follow-up; short-term counseling for minor personal issues; and referrals to community, financial, legal, medical, and treatment resources without conflicts of interest. All counselors and psychologists must hold at least a Master’s degree in Social Work or Psychology with specialization in counseling or clinical practice, and the vendor must employ certified professionals including licensed professional counselors and alcohol and drug abuse counselors. The contract is structured as a firm, fixed-price arrangement with a total not-to-exceed fee, and pricing must be submitted per employee per month with all associated costs, including travel and meetings, included in the base rate without separate line items. Proposals are due by July 6, 2026, with performance expected to begin September 1, 2026, and conclude August 31, 2027, though the contract may be renewed for up to three additional one-year periods at the agency’s discretion. The evaluation process is weighted, with cost accounting for 40 percent of the score, followed by years of relevant service experience (20 percent), staff qualifications (20 percent), ability to serve field office personnel (10 percent), and references (10 percent). Only proposals meeting minimum qualifications will be scored, and award will be made based on best value under Section 2155.074 of the Texas Government Code. Respondents must submit detailed invoices within fifteen days after month-end, including purchase order or contract number, service dates, and full descriptions, with payments governed by the Texas Prompt Payment Act. Progress assessment reports must accompany each invoice, and the agency retains the right to conduct on-site audits, review staffing documentation, and verify compliance with contractual obligations. Vendor operations must comply with state and federal laws including EEO, ADA, E-Verify, and Texas child support and tax eligibility statutes. Insurance coverage must be maintained with proof submitted via current certificates, and all data handling must adhere to state security policies, prohibiting the use or sharing of personally identifiable information beyond the program’s scope. In the event of a data breach involving SSNs or driver’s license data,