Rio Grande Valley Radio Subscriber Maintenance Contract

The Texas Department of Public Safety is soliciting a Negotiated Request for Offers for the Rio Grande Valley Radio Subscriber Maintenance Contract to support law enforcement communications across Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, and portions of Starr and Brooks Counties. The primary objective is to ensure reliable mobile and portable radio coverage for DPS personnel using the Motorola APX platform and P25 standards. The scope of work includes supporting up to 10,000 subscriber units, providing DPS-specific talkgroups, integrating DPS-owned infrastructure, and managing all radio air time, programming, and upkeep. The contract is envisioned as a five-year term with a requirement for the vendor to maintain optimal system performance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Award decisions will be based on best value standards, with evaluation weights split equally between cost and the quality and reliability of goods and services. Vendors must provide pricing for full-time and part-time subscribers as well as annual recurring costs, which include maintenance fees, Tier 1 communication lines, and infrastructure upgrades. Technical requirements specify that any client-based software must be provided in .msi format for Windows or follow Apple standards for OS X, with mobile software compatible with the agency's Mobile Device Management tools. Submission requirements are strict, with a deadline of October 8, 2026, and a mandate for electronic delivery via the DPS Online Bid Room or email. Qualified vendors must provide resumes for key personnel, undergo fingerprint-based criminal history background investigations, and complete DIR-certified cybersecurity training. The contract also emphasizes compliance with Texas state laws, including HUB and VetHUB certifications, and requires adherence to rigorous User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and performance standards before final software acceptance.