Re-Solicitation Texas Farmer Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline and Educational Services

The Texas Department of Agriculture is soliciting proposals to operate a 24/7 toll-free mental health and suicide prevention hotline tailored specifically for Texas farmers and agriculture workers, staffed by behavioral health specialists trained in agriculture-related stressors. The contractor must provide crisis intervention, resource referrals, and mental health counseling support, in addition to delivering QPR or similar suicide prevention training to healthcare providers and community organizations. The contract term begins September 1, 2026, and extends through August 31, 2027, with the option for up to three additional one-year renewals, contingent upon written notice provided at least 30 days in advance. All services must be performed within Texas, and any work conducted outside the contract period must be provided at no additional cost to the state. The contractor is required to supply all necessary equipment, designate a project manager and contract manager, and submit quarterly summary reports to TDA. Proposals must be submitted electronically by July 23, 2026, and must include two versions—an original with clearly marked proprietary or confidential information and a redacted version where such information is obscured—following strict formatting and naming conventions. Mandatory attachments include Exhibits A through J, K, N, and O, as well as the Direct Deposit Authorization Form, W-9, Application for Texas Identification Number, Certificate of Existence from the Texas Secretary of State, and Certificate of Good Standing from the Comptroller of Public Accounts. Offers are binding for 90 days and must not contain exceptions to any solicitation terms, or they will be disqualified. Evaluation is based on a best value standard, with 40% weight on the proposed service plan, 30% on past performance and qualifications, and 30% on cost reasonableness. Contractors must comply with Texas data security standards, adhere to strict confidentiality protocols prohibiting data sharing beyond TDA, maintain disaster recovery plans, and carry insurance as outlined in Exhibit L. They are also subject to audit by the Texas State Auditor’s Office, must certify compliance with debarment and lobbying regulations, and waive all intellectual property claims while indemnifying the state against infringement suits. Payments, issued via state warrants under the Texas Prompt Payment Act, require strict invoice compliance with TIN, contract number, and detailed line items, and may be withheld if the contractor breaches the agreement or fails to pay third parties.