INTRODUCTION The Department of State Health Services (DSHS), by and through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), is seeking a qualified Contractor to provide support services and maintenance of the DSHS Take Charge Texas application (TCT) currently hosted in Texas Department of Information Resources – Data Center Services. DSHS is required, pursuant to Texas Health and SafetyCode Sections 81.041, 81.043 and 81.044 to maintain a repository and report on all infectious diseases in Texas. TCT is an online system for Clients, DSHS staff, providers, and pharmacists across Texas. TCT allows Clients and DSHS workers to reduce paperwork and clerical tasks that take time away from connecting Clients to services. TCT allows Clients to complete one (1)application and upload supporting documents one (1) time for several programs,instead of completing an application for each service or benefit. TCT includes an agency portal, pharmacy portal, and Client portal. The Contractor will maintain and support TCT. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES The Contractor must provide on-going TCT support and maintenance services, including updates to the following: a. Client portal; b. Agency portal; c. Application workflow; d. Eligibility; e. Contracts; f. Pharmacy portal; g. Reporting; h. Interfaces; i. TCT on going maintenance and security updates; and j. On-going Enhancement services, as needed. The Contractor must utilize a collaborative, innovative, cooperative, flexible and process/customer-oriented approach to its performance under the Contract. All Client facing elements of the TCT must be delivered in both English and Spanish to ensure that Clients with limited English proficiency are effectively informed and can have meaningful access to programs, benefits, and activities. The Contractor must provide resources sufficient to meet all levels of support detailed in Section 2.4.4.1 (Levels of Support) .When the Contractor is not working on critical or high Incidents the Contractor must use its resources for system improvement activities that include any DME services (see Section 2.4.3 (DME Services) ) and supplemental services(see Section 2.6 (Supplemental Services) ). See procurement library for additional reference information regarding historical Enhancement and maintenance hours. Note that the ability to address Service Requests(SRs) is essential for maintenance and operations as well as system Enhancements in order to implement all software patches and/or required system integrations. The Contractor must respond to information requestsand the ability to address Incidents, allow for additional SRs while ensuring TCT is monitored and maintained on a regular basis to prevent breakdowns and costly repairs in the future. HHSC will provide all software and licenses to the Contractor in support of the requirements of the Contract. Contractor's personnel must abide by HHSC's Acceptable Use Agreement (a copy of which is located in the Procurement Library for reference) in utilizing these provided resources. For additional clarifications and information regarding the Solicitation, refer to the Section 3.7 (Procurement Library) , and other documents expressly designated by HHSC as part of this Solicitation. Contract Term The initial term of any Contract resulting from this Solicitation will be three (3) years. HHSC, at its sole option, may extend any Contract awarded pursuant to this Solicitation for up to two (2) one-year optional extensions. Following the base term and any allowable renewals or extensions, HHSC may extend any resulting Contract for not more than one (1) additional option period to address immediate operational or service delivery needs. If the resulting Contract does not include a defined option period, the extension is limited to one (1) year. Pre-Proposal Conference and HSP Training HHSC PCS will hold the pre-proposal webinar on the date and time set out in Section 3.1 (Schedule of Events) . People with disabilities who wish to attend the meeting and require auxiliary aids or services should contact the Sole Point of Contact identified in Section 3.3.1 (Sole Point of Contact) , at leastseventy-two (72) hours before the meeting in order to have reasonable accommodations made by HHSC. Webinar Information: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5583276504918868057 Schedule of Events EVENT DATE/TIME Solicitation Posting Date to ESBD (Date of Release) November 6, 2024 Pre-proposal Conference and HSP Training (Attendance is optional) November 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Central Time Deadline for Submitting Questions or Requests for Clarification November 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time Tentative Date Responses to Questions or Requests for Clarification Posted on ESBD November 22, 2024 December 6, 2024 Deadline for Submission for Courtesy HSP Review November 25, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time December 9, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time Deadline for Submission of Solicitation Responses [NOTE: Solicitation Responses must be RECEIVED by HHSC by the deadline.] December 9, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time December 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time Evaluation Period December 2024 - January 2025 Anticipated Notice of Award April – May 2025 Anticipated Contract Effective Date June 2025