Laundry Services for Panhandle State Hospital

This Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks market research regarding laundry services for the upcoming Panhandle State Hospital in Amarillo, Texas, a new 75-bed inpatient facility currently under construction. The RFI, identified by solicitation number HHS0017198 and posted on April 9, 2026, with a response deadline of June 3, 2026, is purely for planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or a commitment to award a contract. Respondents are advised that HHSC will not reimburse any costs associated with preparing a response. The required services encompass full-service healthcare laundry processing, including twice-weekly pickup of soiled linens and delivery of clean linens between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., excluding noon to 1:00 p.m., with no service on Texas state holidays. Linen items—sheets, blankets, pillowcases, gowns, diapers, and lab coats—must meet strict specifications including 100% cotton material, specific dimensions, State of Texas stamping, and color-coded strips on fitted sheets. All transport and processing must adhere to Universal Precautions, maintain physical separation between contaminated and clean linen, and ensure sanitization of bins and carts using steam or water exceeding 200°F after each use. Compliance with HHSC guidelines and Texas state regulations is mandatory, including quarterly third-party testing for linen quality (whiteness, tensile strength, chlorine residue, wrinkle levels) and monthly pH and titration reports. Soiled laundry must be contained in leak-proof bags, with yellow bags designated for heavily soiled items. Contractors must track and document quantities of linen picked up and delivered and submit a contingency plan to ensure uninterrupted service during operational disruptions. Driver and vehicle protocols require adherence to campus safety rules, including safety beepers, key removal from unattended vehicles, and compliance with facility entry procedures. Unusable linens must be segregated and returned with documentation. Responses must be submitted as a single searchable PDF, not exceeding 20 pages not counting attachments, via email to Irene Martinez at HHSC by 10:30 a.m. Central Time on June 3, 2026. Attachments are permitted but not described in detail. No contract clauses, evaluation factors, pricing structure, or award methodology are included, as this RFI is not