FY 26 Foster Youth Conference

The Texas Workforce Commission is soliciting proposals for conference event services to host the FY26 Foster Youth Conference in Allen, Texas, or the surrounding areas. The event is scheduled for a total of four days, consisting of one day for setup and three days of programming, with an estimated attendance of 400 to 450 people. Required services include the provision of meeting and conference space, food and beverage, and lodging. Proposals must be submitted via the TWC Procurement Portal by February 19, 2026. Evaluation of proposals is based on a scoring matrix where the narrative proposal accounts for 60 percent of the total score, divided between qualifications and experience at 15 percent and the proposed solution at 45 percent, while the cost proposal accounts for the remaining 40 percent. Respondents must provide a comprehensive submission including a cost proposal, narrative responses, financial questionnaires, and at least three references from the last three years. The contract is subject to extensive Texas state and federal compliance mandates, including E-Verify participation, the Buy Texas Act, and various anti-discrimination and anti-boycott certifications. Awarded vendors must maintain significant insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability, Comprehensive Automobile Liability with a 1 million dollar per accident limit, and Umbrella Liability with a minimum of 25 million dollars. Payment is governed by the Texas Prompt Payment Act, with terms typically set at 30 days from the receipt of an uncontested invoice.