Frozen Food Products

The contract issued by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission solicits frozen food products for delivery to state hospitals, state supported living centers, and campus programs such as canteens and coffee houses across Texas. The requirement spans a base term from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, with an optional one-year renewal through August 31, 2028, and potential for an additional one-year extension at the agency’s discretion. Respondents must meet stringent product specifications including IQF packaging, vacuum sealing, heat-sealed casings, and adherence to specific net weights per case such as 20 lbs, 30 lbs, and 40 lbs. Products must maintain a minimum six-month frozen shelf life at 0°F, be pasteurized and Salmonella-negative, and comply with strict microbiological standards including limits on coliform, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli O157:H7. Labeling requires clear English descriptions, agency purchase order numbers, and quantity per carton, with prohibitions on calendar date coding and mixing of brands unless authorized. Delivery is required between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM at designated locations including Abilene, Big Spring, Lubbock, San Angelo, Mexia, Waco, Brenham, and Austin, excluding the noon hour, with the vendor bearing all transportation, unloading, and re-delivery costs. Proposals must be submitted via email or the HHS Online Bid Room by August 18, 2026, using Microsoft Word, Excel, or PDF formats, with no attachment exceeding 25 MB and no external links permitted. Evaluation is based on three factors: compliance with technical specifications, demonstrated ability to perform including past performance tracked through the CPA Vendor Performance Tracking System, and price—no numerical weights are assigned, and award will be made based on best value, not necessarily lowest price. Respondents must certify compliance with state-specific requirements including Texas resident ownership, veteran ownership, Texas-made products, and recycled materials use, and are prohibited from boycotting energy companies or discriminating against the firearm industry. Security controls aligned with Texas Government Code §2054.138 and TX-RAMP compliance for cloud services are mandatory, and all information submitted is subject to public disclosure unless narrowly exempted under the Texas Public Information Act. Contractors must disclose any former state employee employment in sales roles