Language Testing Contract

The Texas Department of Public Safety is soliciting proposals for a five-year language proficiency testing service to support commissioned officers statewide, with a contract period spanning September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2031. The solicitation, numbered 405-26R0018091, is open for responses until 5:00 p.m. Central Time on June 12, 2026, and requires electronic submission via email or the DPS Online Bid Room. Proposals must be structured into four volumes, including completed contract forms, organizational capabilities and key personnel information, a mandatory Historically Underutilized Business subcontracting plan, and a strictly formatted pricing response aligned with the Mandatory Pricing Schedule. The evaluation process is dominated by a pass/fail assessment of past performance, with disqualification triggered by a C rating in the Vendor Performance Tracking System, inclusion in a corrective action plan, repeated negative performance reports, non-responsiveness to issues, or canceled purchase orders within the past year. No numerical weights, adjectival ratings, or risk assessments are applied; instead, award will be made on a best value trade-off basis under Texas Government Code § 2156.007, not lowest price technically acceptable. Contractor personnel must pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check at their own expense, wear issued DPS ID cards while on-site, and obtain pre-approval for any employee with a prior felony conviction. Key personnel must be identified with detailed résumés, percentage of time dedication, and experience, and replacements require prior written approval and validation of knowledge transfer. The contractor must provide toll-free telephonic testing, verify test-taker identity, maintain records for seven years, and deliver confidential scores to DPS Human Resources within five business days. All services are performed remotely or at DPS Headquarters in Austin, Texas, with title and risk of loss transferring only upon physical receipt and acceptance by DPS. The contract includes an option to extend, and invoicing must be sent electronically to apinvoices@dps.texas.gov with the contract number and remittance address. No pricing data is provided in the solicitation, leaving the contract value undefined, and while no FAR or DFARS clauses are incorporated, special requirements include strict compliance with Texas Government Code Chapters 2251 and 2260, Texas Administrative Code Title 37 Chapter 34 Subchapter U, and obligations to maintain data confidentiality and allow DPS audit rights.