Board awards statewide peer‑assistance contract to Texas Nurses Foundation after sole RFP response

The Texas Board of Nursing voted July 18 to award the state contract for peer‑assistance services to the Texas Nurses Foundation, selecting the foundation as the vendor after the request-for-proposals process produced a single qualified response. The current contract with the foundation expires August 31; the board authorized the executive director to execute a new two‑year contract with an optional two‑year extension.

Why it matters: The Peer Assistance Program for Nurses provides monitoring, treatment referrals and return‑to‑practice services for nurses with substance use or behavioral-health issues. Continuity of the vendor ensures uninterrupted services for nurses across the state and preserves an established infrastructure of volunteer peer support and clinical intervention.

Procurement details: The board issued Request for Proposals 50725003 and received one response from the Texas Nurses Foundation. An evaluation committee reviewed the submission in accordance with state procurement rules and the Comptroller’s procurement guidance; staff recommended the foundation as the awardee. Board counsel noted the Comptroller requires governing‑body approval for contracts over $1,000,000.

Board action: Drew Riddle moved to select the Texas Nurses Foundation as the peer‑assistance vendor and to authorize the executive director to finalize a two‑year contract with one optional two‑year renewal, and Maisie Jamieson seconded. The board approved the recommendation. Board staff will work with the foundation and the Attorney General’s Office on contract finalization and oversight.

Context and next steps: TPAP staff reported slight increases in referral and active case counts for this quarter and described outreach and expanded social-media engagement. The new contract will fund the statewide program; staff noted the vendor may pursue certification as a HUB (historically underutilized business) if appropriate.