Security Guard Services Needed for EPPC

The Health and Human Services Commission of Texas is soliciting armed and unarmed security guard services for the El Paso Psychiatric Center under Invitation for Bids HHS0017431, with responses due by July 7, 2026. The contract, which begins September 1, 2026, and expires August 31, 2029, with no renewal options but a possible one-year extension at the agency’s discretion, requires vendors to provide qualified personnel experienced in psychiatric hospital settings or with mental health patients. All guards must be at least 18 years old, hold current Crisis Prevention and Intervention Certification, complete the TIPS program before their first shift, and submit Level 2 and 3 security certificates with at least six months of validity remaining at award. Duties include guarding against fire, theft, damage, vandalism, and trespassing; conducting hourly foot patrols of exterior premises; and maintaining detailed daily activity logs. Bidders must demonstrate past performance in similar environments and provide comprehensive qualifications through Exhibit D, while also certifying compliance with all applicable federal and state laws including Title VI, Section 504, the ADA, and Texas Government Code provisions requiring transparency, ethics, and non-discrimination. Proposals must be submitted in full via email to [email hidden] or through the HHS Online Bid Room, adhering to strict formatting requirements including Microsoft Office formats for text and PDF for signatures, with total email attachments not exceeding 25 MB. Physical submissions require a single USB drive labeled with bidder details and IFB number, delivered to the specified Austin addresses. Pricing must be submitted exclusively via Exhibit C, though the document itself is not provided. Bidders are required to hold a SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier, Federal EIN, Texas Identification Number, and Texas Franchise Tax Number, and must provide SSNs of all owners with 25% or greater equity for child support verification. Contractors must maintain umbrella liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, utilize E-Verify for all employees, and are strictly prohibited from subcontracting without prior written approval. Invoicing is required monthly with accurate TINs, and failure to comply with invoice standards may result in payment delays. The state reserves unrestricted access to all contract-related sites and records, and noncompliance with audits or inspections must be addressed solely at the contractor’s expense. Any false statement, material misrepresentation, or breach of ethical standards may result in immediate