Procurement Method- Automated Information Systems

Question 1

What types of products are associated with Automated Information Systems? How do IT commodity items relate to AIS?

Answer 1

Computers, computer software and telecommunications

IT commodity items are a subset of AIS (software, hardware- other than telecommunications)

Question 2

What types of contracts does DIR establish and manage?

Answer 2

Cooperative contracts for IT commodity items
TxMAS contracts for IT commodity items
Texas.gov contracts
Data center services contracts
Telecommunications services contracts

Question 3

What is the DIR Cooperative Contracts Program?

Answer 3

Categories of contracts for IT commodity items:
hardware, software, managed services, IT staff augmentation contracts, and Deliverables based IT services
DIR customers can use an RFO to competitively procure these

Question 4

What are the DIR Cooperative Contract thresholds?

Answer 4

1) NO MORE THAN $50,000 award directly to the vendor without submitting request to other vendors
2) MORE THAN $50,000 but NOT MORE THAN $1 million- submit request for pricing to at least 3 vendors in the same category
3) MORE THAN $1 million but NOT MORE THAN $5 million- submit request for pricing to at least 6 vendors in the same category
4) Exceeds $5 million- may not use a cooperative contract- consider bulk purchase
These thresholds also apply to DIR TXMAS contracts

Question 5

What is the exception to the $5 million cap on DIR cooperative contracts?

Answer 5

If DIR schedules a “bulk” purchase event to support information technology replacement.

Question 6

What is best value standard for AIS?

Answer 6

Lowest overall cost but this includes factors such as the capacity for expanding and upgrading and others

Question 7

What kind of DIR contracts offer managed IT services?

Answer 7

Shared Technology Services Contracts

Question 8

When does the $5 million contract limit not apply?

Answer 8

to Bulk purchase initiatives

Question 9

What are Shared Technology Services?

Answer 9

Offer:
Managed security services
Data center services (disaster recovery, cloud,backups)
texas. gov
Open data portal

Question 10

What are the telecommunication services

Answer 10

Capitol Complex Telephone System
Texas Agency Network
Wireless, conferencing

Question 11

What are examples of DIR blanket exemptions?

Answer 11

Publication subscription services
Job posting services
Fire Alarm equipment

Question 12

What is the minimum threshold to be exempt from purchasing through a DIR contract?

Answer 12

Not exceeding $1,000

Question 13

What is the maximum threshold for purchasing from a DIR contract?

Answer 13

Exceeding $5 million- consider bulk purchase instead

Question 14

How is value of DIR contract value determined?

Answer 14

Based on value of initial contract term; does NOT include renewals

Question 15

When must a SOW be reviewed by DIR?

Answer 15

prior to solicitation and contract award for over $50,000 contract value
Exceptions: IT staffing, support agreements, maintenance agreements, hardware or software only

Question 16

What is a MIRP?

Answer 16

1) Identified as such by legislature OR
2) Projected value at $5 million or more and
* One year to reach operational status
* Involves more than 1 agency or significantly impacts the work processes of agency employees or how services are provided

Question 17

How are classification codes for AIS noted on the NIGP commodity book?

Answer 17

With an asterisk

Question 18

What are the differences between cooperative contracts and Shared Technology Services?

Answer 18

Cooperative- no agreements needed, customers order directly from vendors and manage their own contracts
STS- agreements needed, place orders via DIR, DIR manages vendor performance, etc.

Question 19

An agency may not spend appropriated funds for major information resources project unless?

Answer 19

project has been approved by the LBB in the agency’s biennial operating plan and the QAT.

Question 20

What are threshold requirements for QAT review regarding review of contracts?

Answer 20

$10 million or more- submit terms before negotiation and final negotiated, unsigned contract
Amendments of 10% or more