(a) As required by §259.257(e)(2)(A) of this division (relating to Requirements for Authorization to Purchase an Adaptive Aid Costing $500 or More), for a recommended adaptive aid costing $500 or more, a DSA must obtain comparable bids for the requested adaptive aid from three vendors. Comparable bids describe the adaptive aid and any associated items or modifications identified in the completed HHSC Request for Adaptive Aids, Medical Supplies and Minor Home Modifications form required by §259.257 of this division.
(b) A bid obtained in accordance with subsection (a) of this section must include:
  (1) the total cost of the requested adaptive aid, which may be from a catalog, website, or brochure price list;
  (2) the amount of any additional expenses related to the delivery of the adaptive aid, including shipping and handling, taxes, installation, and other labor charges;
  (3) the date of the bid;
  (4) the name, address, and telephone number of the vendor, who may not be a relative of the individual;
  (5) for an adaptive aid other than interpreter service and specialized training for augmentative communication programs, a complete description of the adaptive aid and any associated items or modifications as identified in the completed HHSC Request for Adaptive Aids, Medical Supplies and Minor Home Modifications form, which may include pictures or other descriptive information from a catalog, website, or brochure; and
  (6) for interpreter service and specialized training for augmentative communication programs, the number of hours of the service or training to be provided in person and the hourly rate of the service.
(c) A DSA may obtain only one bid or two comparable bids for an adaptive aid if the DSA has written justification for obtaining less than three bids because the adaptive aid is available from a limited number of vendors.
(d) If a DSA requests to purchase an adaptive aid that is not based on the lowest bid, the DSA must have written justification for payment of a higher bid. The following are examples of justifications that support payment of a higher bid:
  (1) the higher bid is based on the inclusion of a longer warranty for the adaptive aid; and
  (2) the higher bid is from a vendor that is more accessible to the individual than another vendor.
(e) If the requested adaptive aid is a vehicle modification, a DSA must obtain proof that the individual or individual's family member owns the vehicle for which the vehicle modification is requested.
(f) A DSA may not disclose information regarding a submitted bid to any other vendor who has submitted a bid or to a vendor who may submit a bid.

Source Note: The provisions of this §259.261 adopted to be effective January 30, 2023, 48 TexReg 362