RFP - Mass Notification System for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Background
Harris County, Texas, is the third most populous county in the nation, with a culturally diverse community of nearly five million residents. The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) was established in 2003 to enhance the County’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities. Its core mission is to protect residents from natural and man-made disasters by developing a comprehensive emergency management framework.

Work Details
Harris County seeks proposals from qualified vendors to provide a comprehensive Mass Notification System for HCOHSEM. The system must support multi-channel alerts and routine notifications during critical incidents, natural disasters, severe weather events, and other emergencies. Key functionalities include:

1. Opt-in capability for text message alerts.
2. Self-registration via web and mobile platforms.
3. End-user configuration without vendor support.
4. Publishing notifications to social media platforms.
5. Integration with FEMA’s IPAWS.
6. Support for multiple notification channels (email, SMS/text, voice calls).
7. Capability to include rich media content in notifications.
8. Two-way communication allowing recipients to acknowledge messages or respond to surveys.
9. Automated escalation protocols for critical alerts.
10. 24/7 technical and customer support availability.

The vendor will be responsible for all personnel, services, materials, equipment, and incidentals necessary to fulfill the requirements of this solicitation.

Period of Performance
The contract term shall begin on or about July 1, 2026, for one year with four optional one-year renewals based on satisfactory performance.

Place of Performance
The services will be performed within Harris County, Texas.

Bidder Requirements
Vendors must demonstrate a proven track record of successful implementations of similar systems and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local standards. Additionally, vendors are encouraged to engage with historically underutilized minority- and woman-owned businesses (M/WBEs) as part of their proposal.