HHS0017174 Dry Ice for Department of State Health

The Department of State Health Services in Texas is seeking a vendor to provide dry ice slices on a weekly basis for the shipment of biological materials under solicitation HHS0017174, with a contract term beginning September 1, 2026, and ending August 31, 2027, subject to up to four optional one-year renewals through August 31, 2031, and a possible one-year extension beyond that. Deliveries are required twice per week: 150 pounds (fifteen 10-pound slices) every Monday and 50 pounds (five 10-pound slices) every Friday, both arriving no later than 2:00 PM CST, unless the delivery day coincides with an official state holiday or facility closure. The dry ice must be packaged exclusively in 10-pound increments, labeled with the description of contents, agency purchase order number, and quantity per carton, and pallets must be shrink-wrapped and properly labeled. All handling and shipping must adhere strictly to OSHA and DOT regulations, with product maintained at appropriate temperatures during transport to prevent sublimation or loss. The contract requires firm, fixed pricing for the entire term, with all-inclusive unit costs covering labor, equipment, materials, and related expenses; no additional charges for incidental items such as travel, per diem, or office supplies are permitted. Payment is contingent on the agency’s written acknowledgement of satisfactory delivery and performance, with invoices submitted monthly and including the purchase order number and detailed description of work completed. Vendors must possess an 11-digit Texas Identification Number (TIN) to receive payment and must provide full entity identification including DUNS, EIN, SAM.gov UEI, Texas Franchise Tax Number, and Texas Secretary of State Filing Number. Participation is contingent upon submission of a completed and signed HUB Subcontracting Plan (Exhibit E), with failure to submit resulting in disqualification. Bidders must also certify compliance with all federal and state laws, including non-discrimination statutes, E-Verify requirements, and prohibitions against human trafficking and debarment; any false certifications may lead to immediate contract termination and civil or criminal liability. The evaluation process focuses on best value to the State of Texas, with price being a significant but not sole determining factor; past vendor performance, delivery capability, and overall ability to perform are also considered, with certain past performance issues serving as automatic disqualifiers. All responses must be submitted