TOD DPS Commemorative Hat Box

The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking a qualified contractor to design four unique pieces of artwork for commemorative hat boxes to mark the opening of a new training academy in Florence, Texas, scheduled for completion in Fall 2027. The artwork, to be printed on 15.5” x 18” cardboard boxes, must adhere to a specific stylistic vision inspired by Alex Ebel’s vintage advertising illustrations from the 1980 Nacona boots campaign, blending realistic depictions of Texas DPS law enforcement personnel, vehicles, and equipment with dramatic, stylized compositions. Each design must avoid cartoonish elements and recognizable faces, favoring action-oriented imagery that reflects the historical accuracy of departmental uniforms and gear as documented in DPS archives. The contractor is not responsible for supplying physical hats or boxes, which will be procured separately; the deliverable is strictly digital files in PDF, JPEG, JPG, or PNG formats. The project includes up to three revisions per concept, with final approval subject to DPS oversight prior to payment. The contractor must ensure all designs are of maximum resolution and quality, with no physical product fabrication required. The contract, issued as an Invitation for Bids under solicitation number 405-26R0015190, is governed by the DPS Standard Terms and Conditions and is subject to Texas state law, with venue exclusively in Texas. Payment will be processed under the Texas Prompt Payment Act via itemized invoices submitted electronically to DPS, with electronic funds transfer strongly preferred and a completed Direct Deposit Authorization Form required. Bidders must meet stringent pass/fail criteria including financial soundness and a clean vendor performance history, with failure resulting in immediate rejection. The solicitation mandates full compliance with numerous state statutes including the Texas Public Information Act, Drug-Free Workplace Act, Buy Texas provisions, non-discrimination requirements, and restrictions on foreign adversary entities under NDAA sections and Commerce Department regulations. Contractors must also certify eligibility under Texas’s HUB program, provide proof of workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance, adhere to CJIS security policies if handling sensitive data, complete DIR-certified cybersecurity training, and verify use of E-Verify for all employees. Proposals must be submitted electronically by August 20, 2026, in three structured volumes with strict formatting rules including sans-serif 12-point fonts, electronic bookmarks, and a table of contents, and must include a completed Mandatory Pricing Schedule with no guaranteed minimum compensation. The award will be based on best value under Texas Government Code