Water Heaters

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is soliciting commercial-grade natural gas water heaters under solicitation number IW250013, with responses due by May 12, 2026. The contract involves the supply of a single line item: a 200,000 BTU Wi-Fi and leak-sensor-equipped water heater from Rheem/Rudd, to be delivered F.O.B. destination to any TDCJ facility, unit, warehouse, or contracted location across Texas. Deliveries must occur during normal working hours, and vendors are responsible for all freight costs and risk of loss until receipt at TDCJ’s receiving site. If no delivery timeframe is specified, goods must be delivered within 14 calendar days. The evaluation for award is based on best value, considering price, past performance, conformance to specifications, and other best value factors—without assigned weights or numerical scoring. No contract value is specified in the solicitation, and the procurement operates on an as-needed basis with no guaranteed volume or minimum spend. All vendors must comply with stringent security, compliance, and operational requirements unique to TDCJ’s correctional environment. Delivery personnel require a security escort at all times while on TDCJ property, are strictly prohibited from interacting with inmates or carrying contraband—including cell phones, weapons, or more than $25 in cash—and must wear business-appropriate attire. Contractors must ensure all staff are trained on and acknowledge TDCJ’s Personnel Directive PD-29 regarding sexual misconduct. Compliance is mandated with a wide array of state and federal regulations, including Texas Government Code provisions, E-Verify, immigration law, and prohibitions on doing business with foreign adversaries or entities boycotting Israel. The use of artificial intelligence in performance is strictly forbidden without TDCJ’s prior written consent, and all equipment with data storage must be securely erased in compliance with Texas Administrative Code. Vendors must also adhere to TX-RAMP for cloud services, cybersecurity training requirements, and recycling programs for electronic equipment. Additionally, vendors must be free from debarment, suspension, or prior violations related to disaster relief or state employment restrictions, and must certify compliance with public records laws and prohibitions on lobbying or intimidating state legislators. Proposals must be submitted via email to BIDS@TDCJ.TEXAS.GOV in Microsoft Office formats, with signed documents as PDFs, not exceeding 10 MB per email. Hard copies are allowed if email is not feasible, but