|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to oversight of and requirements applicable to state |
|
contracts and other state financial and accounting issues; |
|
authorizing fees. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 821.009(b), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) Notwithstanding any other law and in addition to the |
|
requirements of Subchapter E, Chapter 2262, before a contract |
|
described by Subsection (a) may be entered into by the retirement |
|
system, a representative of the office of the attorney general |
|
shall review the form and terms of the contract and may make |
|
recommendations to the retirement system for changes to the |
|
contract if the attorney general determines that the office of the |
|
attorney general has sufficient subject matter expertise and |
|
resources available to provide this service. |
|
SECTION 2. Section 825.103(g), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(g) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by |
|
Section 2262.202, Chapters 2261 and 2262 do not apply to the |
|
retirement system. The Contract Management and Oversight |
|
[Advisory] Team shall assist the retirement system at the request |
|
of the retirement system. The retirement system may use the |
|
training program for contract management provided under Chapter |
|
2262. |
|
SECTION 3. Section 2054.065(a)(2), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(2) "Team" means the Contract Management and Oversight |
|
[Advisory] Team established under Subchapter E [C], Chapter 2262. |
|
SECTION 4. Section 2101.001(1), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(1) "Enterprise resource planning" includes the |
|
administration of a state agency's: |
|
(A) general ledger; |
|
(B) accounts payable; |
|
(C) accounts receivable; |
|
(D) budgeting; |
|
(E) inventory; |
|
(F) asset management; |
|
(G) billing; |
|
(H) payroll; |
|
(I) projects; |
|
(J) grants; |
|
(K) human resources, including administration of |
|
performance measures, time spent on tasks, and other personnel and |
|
labor issues; and |
|
(L) purchasing, including solicitations and |
|
contracting. |
|
SECTION 5. Section 2101.011, Government Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: |
|
(e) A state agency's annual financial report must include |
|
any claims made against the agency for the preceding fiscal year and |
|
the amount paid by the agency in relation to each claim. |
|
SECTION 6. Section 2101.035, Government Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subsections (i), (j), and (k) to read as follows: |
|
(i) State agencies other than a university system or an |
|
institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, |
|
Education Code, shall report contract and purchasing information in |
|
the uniform manner required by the comptroller. |
|
(j) The centralized accounting and payroll system, or any |
|
successor system used to implement the enterprise resource planning |
|
component of the uniform statewide accounting project, developed |
|
under this section and Section 2101.036 must provide alerts to the |
|
comptroller to notify the comptroller of a state contract other |
|
than a contract of a university system or an institution of higher |
|
education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, that has a |
|
high risk of loss to the state based on parameters identified by |
|
rule by the comptroller, including: |
|
(1) a change order of more than 20 percent of the value |
|
of the original contract; and |
|
(2) a contract entered into in an amount that exceeds a |
|
predetermined threshold amount. |
|
(k) If, through the uniform statewide accounting system or a |
|
component of that system, the comptroller or an officer or employee |
|
of the comptroller's office releases or publishes information that |
|
is confidential or excepted from required disclosure in reliance on |
|
a determination made by a state agency about the status of the |
|
information as confidential or excepted from disclosure, the |
|
comptroller, officer, or employee, as appropriate, is: |
|
(1) immune from any civil or criminal liability for |
|
releasing or publishing the information; and |
|
(2) not required to comply with the notification |
|
requirements of Section 2054.1125 of this code and Chapter 521, |
|
Business & Commerce Code, in relation to the release or publication |
|
of the information. |
|
SECTION 7. Section 2101.036, Government Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e) to read as |
|
follows: |
|
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or |
|
other law and except as provided by Subsection (e), this section and |
|
any rules implementing this section apply only in relation to a |
|
state agency as defined by Section 2054.003. |
|
(e) A state agency in the legislative branch of state |
|
government may elect to participate in the centralized accounting |
|
and payroll system, or any successor system used to implement the |
|
enterprise resource planning component of the uniform statewide |
|
accounting project, developed under this section. |
|
SECTION 8. Section 2102.005, Government Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2102.005. INTERNAL AUDITING REQUIRED. A state agency |
|
shall conduct a program of internal auditing that includes: |
|
(1) an annual audit plan that is prepared using risk |
|
assessment techniques and that identifies the individual audits to |
|
be conducted during the year; and |
|
(2) periodic audits of: |
|
(A) the agency's major systems and controls, |
|
including: |
|
(i) [(A)] accounting systems and controls; |
|
(ii) [(B)] administrative systems and |
|
controls; [and] |
|
(iii) [(C)] electronic data processing |
|
systems and controls; and |
|
(iv) contract management processes and |
|
controls; and |
|
(B) one or more of the agency's contracts with |
|
high-risk factors. |
|
SECTION 9. Section 2113.102(a), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) A state agency may not use appropriated money to |
|
contract with a person to audit [the financial records or accounts
|
|
of] the agency except: |
|
(1) as provided by[:
|
|
[(1)] Subsections (b), (c), and (d); and |
|
(2) in accordance with Section 321.020 [Chapter 466,
|
|
pertaining to the state lottery;
|
|
[(3)
Chapter 2306, pertaining to the Texas Department
|
|
of Housing and Community Affairs; and
|
|
[(4)
Chapter 361, Transportation Code, pertaining to
|
|
the Texas Turnpike Authority division of the Texas Department of
|
|
Transportation]. |
|
SECTION 10. Subchapter I, Chapter 2155, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 2155.5035 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2155.5035. USE OF SCHEDULE BY STATE AGENCY. (a) A |
|
state agency purchasing goods or services that exceed $50,000 under |
|
a contract listed on the schedule shall submit a request for pricing |
|
to: |
|
(1) at least three vendors included on the schedule in |
|
the category to which the purchase relates; or |
|
(2) all vendors included on the schedule in the |
|
category to which the purchase relates if fewer than three vendors |
|
are included in the category. |
|
(b) The price listed for a good or service under a multiple |
|
award contract is a maximum price. A state agency may negotiate a |
|
lower price for goods or services under a contract listed on a |
|
schedule developed under this chapter. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 2155.504, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2155.504. USE OF SCHEDULE BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS |
|
[GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES]. (a) A [state agency or] local government |
|
may purchase goods or services directly from a vendor under a |
|
contract listed on a schedule developed under this subchapter. A |
|
purchase authorized by this section satisfies any requirement of |
|
state law relating to competitive bids or proposals and satisfies |
|
any applicable requirements of Chapter 2157. |
|
(b) The price listed for a good or service under a multiple |
|
award contract is a maximum price. A [An agency or] local |
|
government may negotiate a lower price for goods or services under a |
|
contract listed on a schedule developed under this subchapter. |
|
SECTION 12. Section 2162.103(a), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In comparing the cost of providing a service, the |
|
council shall consider the: |
|
(1) cost of supervising the work of a private |
|
contractor; [and] |
|
(2) cost of a state agency's performance of the |
|
service, including: |
|
(A) the costs of the comptroller, attorney |
|
general, and other support agencies; and |
|
(B) other indirect costs related to the agency's |
|
performance of the service; |
|
(3) installation costs and any other initial costs |
|
associated with a contract with a private contractor; |
|
(4) other costs associated with the transition to |
|
using a private contractor's services; and |
|
(5) cost savings to the state if a private contractor |
|
were awarded the contract. |
|
SECTION 13. Sections 2165.356(a) and (b), Government Code, |
|
are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Not later than the 60th day before the date the |
|
commission is scheduled to vote on approval of a qualifying project |
|
contract, the commission must submit to the Contract Management and |
|
Oversight [Advisory] Team established under Subchapter E [C], |
|
Chapter 2262, documentation of the modifications to a proposed |
|
qualifying project made during the commission's evaluation and |
|
negotiation process for the project, including a copy of: |
|
(1) the final draft of the contract; |
|
(2) the detailed qualifying project proposal; and |
|
(3) any executed interim or other agreement. |
|
(b) The Contract Management and Oversight [Advisory] Team |
|
shall review the documentation submitted under Subsection (a) and |
|
provide written comments and recommendations to the |
|
commission. The review must focus on, but not be limited to, best |
|
practices for contract management and administration. |
|
SECTION 14. Section 2166.2551, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2166.2551. CONTRACT NOTIFICATION. The commission or |
|
an agency whose project is exempted from all or part of this chapter |
|
under Section 2166.003 shall provide written notice to the |
|
Legislative Budget Board of a contract for a construction project |
|
if the amount of the contract, including an amendment, |
|
modification, renewal, or extension of the contract, exceeds |
|
$50,000 [$14,000]. The notice must be on a form prescribed by the |
|
Legislative Budget Board and filed not later than the 10th day after |
|
the date the agency enters into the contract. |
|
SECTION 15. Section 2254.006, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2254.006. CONTRACT NOTIFICATION. A state agency, |
|
including an institution of higher education as defined by Section |
|
61.003, Education Code, shall provide written notice to the |
|
Legislative Budget Board of a contract for professional services, |
|
other than a contract for physician or optometric services, if the |
|
amount of the contract, including an amendment, modification, |
|
renewal, or extension of the contract, exceeds $50,000 [$14,000]. |
|
The notice must be on a form prescribed by the Legislative Budget |
|
Board and filed not later than the 10th day after the date the |
|
agency enters into the contract. |
|
SECTION 16. Section 2254.0301(a), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A state agency shall provide written notice to the |
|
Legislative Budget Board of a contract for consulting services if |
|
the amount of the contract, including an amendment, modification, |
|
renewal, or extension of the contract, exceeds $50,000 [$14,000]. |
|
The notice must be on a form prescribed by the Legislative Budget |
|
Board and filed not later than the 10th day after the date the |
|
entity enters into the contract. |
|
SECTION 17. Sections 2261.001(a) and (c), Government Code, |
|
are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) This chapter applies only to each procurement of goods |
|
or services made by a state agency that is neither made by the |
|
comptroller nor made under purchasing authority delegated to the |
|
agency by or under Section 51.9335 or 73.115, Education Code, or |
|
Section [2155.131 or] 2155.132. |
|
(c) The comptroller on request shall determine whether a |
|
procurement or type of procurement: |
|
(1) is made under purchasing authority delegated to an |
|
agency by or under Section [2155.131 or] 2155.132; or |
|
(2) is made under some other source of purchasing |
|
authority. |
|
SECTION 18. Section 2261.002, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2261.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
|
(1) "Contract" includes an agreement or other written |
|
expression of terms of agreement, including an amendment, a |
|
modification, a renewal, or an extension, for the purchase of goods |
|
or services that is entered into or paid for, wholly or partly, by a |
|
state agency during a fiscal year and a grant, other than a grant |
|
made to a school district or a grant made for other academic |
|
purposes, under which the recipient of the grant is required to |
|
perform a specific act or service, supply a specific type of |
|
product, or both. |
|
(2) "Contract deliverable" means a unit or increment |
|
of work required by a contract, including goods, services, reports, |
|
or documents. |
|
(3) "Contract manager" means a person who: |
|
(A) is employed by a state agency; and |
|
(B) has significant contract management duties |
|
for the state agency. |
|
(4) "Executive director" means the administrative |
|
head of a state agency. |
|
(5) "General counsel" means the general counsel of a |
|
state agency. |
|
(6) "Major contract" means a contract, including a |
|
renewal of a contract, that has a value of at least $1 million. The |
|
term includes a service contract. |
|
(7) "State agency" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
2151.002. |
|
SECTION 19. Subchapter A, Chapter 2261, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Sections 2261.004, 2261.005, 2261.006, 2261.007, |
|
2261.008, and 2261.009 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2261.004. STATE AGENCY REPOSITORY AND RECORDS. |
|
(a) Each state agency shall maintain in a central location all |
|
contracts for that agency. |
|
(b) Each state agency shall maintain a comprehensive list of |
|
all contracts for that agency. |
|
(c) In this subsection, "contract" includes a sole source |
|
contract. Each state agency shall maintain accurate records of all |
|
essential information relating to agency contracts, including |
|
information on: |
|
(1) a contract delay or changes to a contract in which |
|
total expenditures under the contract increase by more than 20 |
|
percent from the original contract amount; and |
|
(2) cost overruns, including a written explanation of |
|
why expenditures have increased under a contract. |
|
(d) Notwithstanding Section 441.185, contracts and other |
|
related information required to be maintained under this section by |
|
a state agency must be retained for the duration of the contract. |
|
Sec. 2261.005. CONTRACT REPORTING. (a) In this section, |
|
"contract" includes a construction contract. |
|
(b) The following sections prescribe reporting requirements |
|
for certain contracts: |
|
(1) Section 322.020; |
|
(2) Section 2054.008; |
|
(3) Section 2166.2551; |
|
(4) Section 2254.006; |
|
(5) Section 2254.028; and |
|
(6) Section 2254.0301. |
|
Sec. 2261.006. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. A state agency shall |
|
procure professional services in accordance with Subchapter A, |
|
Chapter 2254. |
|
Sec. 2261.007. CONTRACT GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES. Each |
|
state agency shall establish formal guidelines and procedures for |
|
all employees involved in the contracting process: |
|
(1) regarding who may approve a contract for the |
|
agency; |
|
(2) for contract planning and solicitation; |
|
(3) for contract negotiations; |
|
(4) for contract management; and |
|
(5) for contract oversight. |
|
Sec. 2261.008. INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS. An |
|
interagency agreement or contract of a state agency is governed by |
|
Chapter 771. |
|
Sec. 2261.009. INTERLOCAL CONTRACTS. An interlocal |
|
contract to which a state agency is a party is governed by Chapter |
|
791. |
|
SECTION 20. Subchapter B, Chapter 2261, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 2261.054 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2261.054. BEST VALUE STANDARD FOR CONTRACTING FOR |
|
GOODS AND SERVICES. In determining the best value for the state, |
|
the purchase price and whether the goods or services meet |
|
specifications are the most important considerations. A state |
|
agency may consider, subject to Sections 2155.074(c) and 2155.075, |
|
other relevant factors, including: |
|
(1) installation costs; |
|
(2) life cycle costs; |
|
(3) the quality and reliability of the goods and |
|
services; |
|
(4) the delivery terms; |
|
(5) indicators of probable vendor performance under |
|
the contract such as past vendor performance, the vendor's |
|
financial resources and ability to perform, the vendor's experience |
|
or demonstrated capability and responsibility, and the vendor's |
|
ability to provide reliable maintenance agreements and support; |
|
(6) the cost of any employee training associated with |
|
a purchase; |
|
(7) the effect of a purchase on agency productivity; |
|
(8) the vendor's anticipated economic impact on the |
|
state or a subdivision of the state, including potential tax |
|
revenue and employment; and |
|
(9) other factors relevant to determining the best |
|
value for the state in the context of a particular purchase. |
|
SECTION 21. The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 2261, |
|
Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER C. CONTRACT FORMATION AND PROVISIONS |
|
SECTION 22. Subchapter C, Chapter 2261, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Sections 2261.103, 2261.104, 2261.105, 2261.106, |
|
and 2261.107 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2261.103. USE OF UNIFORM FORMS. A state agency may use |
|
any forms developed by the comptroller as templates, guides, or |
|
samples for contracts entered into by the agency. |
|
Sec. 2261.104. ESSENTIAL CONTRACT PROVISIONS. (a) The |
|
following are required provisions in each contract to which the |
|
provisions are applicable, other than a grant: |
|
(1) legal authority; |
|
(2) statement of work; |
|
(3) indemnification or damage claims; |
|
(4) consideration; |
|
(5) specifications; |
|
(6) funding out clause; |
|
(7) antitrust; |
|
(8) payment; |
|
(9) dispute resolution; |
|
(10) term of contract; |
|
(11) confidential information; |
|
(12) abandonment or default; |
|
(13) right to audit; |
|
(14) force majeure; |
|
(15) independent contractor; and |
|
(16) termination. |
|
(b) If a state agency determines that the circumstances of a |
|
proposed contract require more protection for the state than the |
|
provisions in Subsection (a) provide, the agency shall include a |
|
provision in the contract providing for that protection. |
|
Sec. 2261.105. CONTRACT PROVISIONS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW. |
|
(a) In any contract for the acquisition of goods or services to |
|
which a state agency is a party, a provision required by other |
|
applicable law to be included in the contract is considered to be a |
|
part of the executed contract without regard to whether: |
|
(1) the provision appears on the face of the contract; |
|
or |
|
(2) the contract includes any provision to the |
|
contrary. |
|
(b) If a state agency determines that the circumstances of a |
|
proposed contract require more protection for the state than the |
|
provisions described by Subsection (a) provide, the agency shall |
|
include a provision in the contract providing for that protection. |
|
Sec. 2261.106. CONTRACT RENEWAL. A state agency shall |
|
establish a standardized process for renewing all contracts of the |
|
agency. |
|
Sec. 2261.107. CONTRACT DURATION. (a) A state agency: |
|
(1) must establish a reasonable term for a contract |
|
before solicitation of the contract; and |
|
(2) shall make an effort to keep the maximum length of |
|
a contract to four years without reissuing a competitive |
|
solicitation, including any contract renewals or extensions. |
|
(b) A contract term established under Subsection (a)(1) |
|
must be included in a solicitation document. |
|
(c) A state agency may not enter into a contract that has an |
|
indefinite term. |
|
SECTION 23. Subchapter D, Chapter 2261, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 2261.152 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2261.152. CONTRACT PAYMENT. (a) For each contract for |
|
goods or services that is subject to this chapter, a state agency |
|
shall require that payment under the contract be linked to clear and |
|
measurable achievements, such as length of time of work, contract |
|
deliverables, or performance measures. |
|
(b) A state agency may not make a final payment on a contract |
|
for goods or services that is subject to this chapter unless the |
|
agency verifies that all contract deliverables have been received. |
|
SECTION 24. The heading to Subchapter E, Chapter 2261, |
|
Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER E. CONTRACT MONITORING AND [CONTRACTOR] OVERSIGHT |
|
SECTION 25. Section 2261.202, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2261.202. CONTRACT MONITORING RESPONSIBILITIES. (a) |
|
As one of its contract management policies, each state agency that |
|
makes procurements to which this chapter applies shall establish |
|
and adopt by rule a policy that clearly defines the contract |
|
monitoring roles and responsibilities, if any, of agency staff, |
|
including internal audit staff and other inspection, |
|
investigative, or audit staff. |
|
(b) The policy must establish clear lines of |
|
accountability, staff roles and responsibilities, and |
|
decision-making authority for program staff, contract management |
|
staff, and executive management staff. |
|
SECTION 26. Subchapter E, Chapter 2261, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Sections 2261.204, 2261.205, 2261.206, 2261.207, |
|
2261.208, 2261.209, 2261.210, 2261.211, 2261.212, 2261.213, and |
|
2261.214 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2261.204. INFORMATION ON CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE. |
|
After a contract with a value of $25,000 or more is completed or |
|
otherwise terminated, each state agency shall review the |
|
contractor's performance under the contract and report to the |
|
comptroller on the results of the review using forms made available |
|
to the state agency. |
|
Sec. 2261.205. CONTRACTING STAFF. (a) Each state agency |
|
that enters into contracts other than interagency contracts shall |
|
establish a career ladder program for contract management in the |
|
agency. |
|
(b) An employee hired as a contract manager may participate |
|
in procurement planning, contract solicitation, contract |
|
formation, price establishment, and other contract activities. |
|
(c) Each state agency shall determine, in consultation with |
|
the state auditor, the amount and significance of contract |
|
management duties sufficient for an employee to be considered a |
|
contract manager, program staff, or a contract specialist. |
|
Sec. 2261.206. APPROVAL OF CONTRACTS. (a) Each state |
|
agency shall adopt a policy to establish a monetary threshold above |
|
which agency contracts and amendments to or extensions of agency |
|
contracts require written authorization by the agency executive |
|
director. |
|
(b) Each state agency shall annually report to the |
|
comptroller a list of persons authorized to approve contracts at |
|
the agency. The list must include each person's name, position, and |
|
supervisory responsibility, if any. |
|
Sec. 2261.207. NEGOTIATION OF MAJOR CONTRACT BY SINGLE |
|
EMPLOYEE PROHIBITED. A state agency may not negotiate a major |
|
contract with only one employee engaging in the negotiation. |
|
Sec. 2261.208. CONTRACT REVIEW; REPORTING. (a) A |
|
contractor's performance must be periodically reviewed throughout |
|
the term of a contract. |
|
(b) A state agency shall ensure ongoing communication |
|
between executive management staff, contract management staff, and |
|
program staff of the results of the reviews performed under |
|
Subsection (a) with specific attention to contracts that are: |
|
(1) anticipated to be completed later than originally |
|
estimated; or |
|
(2) expected to cost more than the amount that was |
|
originally budgeted. |
|
(c) To implement this section, a state agency shall create a |
|
system for agency-wide reporting on the status of, activity on, and |
|
contractor performance for each contract. |
|
Sec. 2261.209. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION TEAM. (a) This |
|
section applies to a state agency that has a contract with a value |
|
of $5 million or more. |
|
(b) A state agency to which this section applies shall |
|
create a contract administration team to: |
|
(1) ensure and verify the performance of agency |
|
contracts with a value of $5 million or more; and |
|
(2) maintain within the agency contract oversight |
|
expertise to effectively manage contractors. |
|
Sec. 2261.210. CONTRACT MONITORING PROCESS. A state agency |
|
shall establish and implement a monitoring process for agency |
|
contracts that includes: |
|
(1) identifying the appropriate criteria for use in |
|
measuring contract performance; |
|
(2) creating a schedule for monitoring contract |
|
performance; |
|
(3) comparing work accomplished to work planned to be |
|
accomplished; |
|
(4) analyzing contract performance variances; and |
|
(5) addressing contracting performance problems with |
|
corrective action. |
|
Sec. 2261.211. RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS. (a) A state agency |
|
shall establish and implement a: |
|
(1) process for evaluating the potential risk to the |
|
state, such as product risk, process risk, financial risk, and |
|
schedule risk, if contract implementation or performance problems |
|
occur, including a process for: |
|
(A) risk identification or identifying items |
|
that may prevent the agency from achieving contracting goals or |
|
objectives; |
|
(B) risk analysis or assessing the impact and |
|
likelihood of a risk; |
|
(C) risk evaluation or developing strategies or |
|
approaches to address risks that have been identified and analyzed; |
|
(D) risk treatment or the managerial approach to |
|
risk; |
|
(E) risk reduction or planning and performing |
|
actions to mitigate risk due to a managerial decision to reduce |
|
risk; |
|
(F) contingency planning or developing plans for |
|
corrective action to be taken if a potential risk occurs; and |
|
(G) risk monitoring or tracking the |
|
implementation of a risk reduction plan until the risk is |
|
sufficiently mitigated; and |
|
(2) procedure for corrective action to be used when |
|
contract implementation or performance problems occur. |
|
(b) In creating the process required by Subsection (a)(1), |
|
the state agency shall consider: |
|
(1) the complexity and subject matter of agency |
|
contracts; |
|
(2) the dollar value of agency contracts, including |
|
contract extensions and amendments, and whether the procurement |
|
will result in a major contract; |
|
(3) the anticipated payment methodology; |
|
(4) the experience of agency staff with the type of |
|
procurement; |
|
(5) whether the results of the procurement will impact |
|
the public or only impact the agency; |
|
(6) time constraints or the expected duration of the |
|
procurement; and |
|
(7) the type, availability, and experience of staff |
|
resources required to implement the objectives of the procurement. |
|
(c) Based on the assessed risk of a state agency contract, |
|
the agency shall, for each contract: |
|
(1) determine the appropriate frequency and method of |
|
contract monitoring; |
|
(2) allocate contract monitoring resources; and |
|
(3) develop a contract auditing plan. |
|
Sec. 2261.212. CONTRACT COMMUNICATION. (a) A state agency |
|
shall maintain effective communication procedures regarding |
|
contract performance. |
|
(b) The chief financial officer of a state agency, or an |
|
individual designated by the executive director with similar |
|
contract administration duties and responsibilities, shall report |
|
at least monthly to the executive director on the status of agency |
|
contracts. The report must include a clear indication of: |
|
(1) any contract cost overruns or contracts that are |
|
performing poorly; and |
|
(2) contracts that may cause the state to delay or |
|
default on service delivery. |
|
Sec. 2261.213. REPORT ON CERTAIN PURCHASES. (a) Not later |
|
than December 1 of each year, the comptroller shall publish a report |
|
on the number and dollar value of sole source and emergency |
|
purchases made in the previous fiscal year. |
|
(b) Each state agency shall timely provide to the |
|
comptroller the information the comptroller requires for the |
|
purpose of creating the report under Subsection (a) in the manner |
|
and form specified by the comptroller. |
|
(c) The comptroller shall establish requirements for the |
|
provision of information under Subsection (b) in consultation with |
|
the Contract Management and Oversight Team created under Subchapter |
|
E, Chapter 2262, the Health and Human Services Commission, and the |
|
Texas Department of Transportation. |
|
(d) The comptroller may not require a state agency to |
|
provide information under Subsection (b) on a contract related to |
|
health and human services if: |
|
(1) the value of the contract cannot be determined at |
|
the time of execution of the contract; and |
|
(2) any qualified vendor is eligible for the contract. |
|
Sec. 2261.214. CONTRACT DATABASE. (a) Each state agency |
|
that becomes a participant in the centralized accounting and |
|
payroll system as authorized by Sections 2101.035 and 2101.036, or |
|
any successor system used to implement the enterprise resource |
|
planning component of the uniform statewide accounting project, |
|
shall use the system to identify and record each contract entered |
|
into by the agency as specified by the rules, policies, or |
|
procedures developed by the comptroller, after consultation with |
|
the Department of Information Resources. |
|
(b) The comptroller shall provide as necessary information |
|
and state agency contract data contained in the centralized |
|
accounting and payroll system to other state agencies with |
|
oversight duties, including the Legislative Budget Board, the state |
|
auditor's office, and the Department of Information Resources. |
|
SECTION 27. Chapter 2261, Government Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subchapters F, G, H, and I to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER F. CHANGES TO CONTRACTS |
|
Sec. 2261.251. CONTRACT AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, AND CHANGE |
|
ORDERS. (a) This section does not apply to a contract amendment, |
|
extension, or change order that does not change the cost or terms of |
|
the contract. |
|
(b) An extension of or amendment to a state agency contract, |
|
including a change order, is subject to the same agency approval |
|
processes as the original contract. |
|
(c) A state agency may not extend or amend a contract unless |
|
the agency complies with the same agency approval processes for the |
|
extension or amendment as required for the original contract and |
|
the agency states in writing why the extension or amendment is |
|
necessary or advantageous to the state. |
|
(d) This section does not affect whether a state agency is |
|
required to undertake a new solicitation process in the manner |
|
required for a new contract in order to extend or amend a contract. |
|
(e) For state agency contracts valued in excess of $1 |
|
million, the agency executive director must authorize a contract |
|
amendment in writing. |
|
Sec. 2261.252. LARGE CHANGE IN CONTRACT VALUE; COST |
|
OVERRUNS. (a) If a proposed contract amendment or extension |
|
changes the monetary value of a major contract by at least 20 |
|
percent or $1 million, the state agency must submit the amendment or |
|
extension for review to the agency's executive director before the |
|
agency amends or extends the contract. |
|
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a proposed contract |
|
amendment required by a state or federal statute. |
|
(c) The executive director shall be timely notified of any |
|
unanticipated contract cost overrun. |
|
Sec. 2261.253. CERTAIN CONTRACT EXTENSIONS AND RENEWALS. |
|
This subchapter does not apply to contract extensions or renewals |
|
that are specifically established as a component of the original |
|
procurement. |
|
SUBCHAPTER G. TRAINING |
|
Sec. 2261.301. TRAINING FOR CONTRACT MANAGERS. (a) A |
|
state agency shall require a contract manager to complete the |
|
training program for contract managers developed and administered |
|
by the comptroller. |
|
(b) A state agency shall maintain a list of contract |
|
managers who have completed the training program for contract |
|
managers. |
|
(c) A state agency may develop qualified contract manager |
|
training to supplement the training required under this section. |
|
Sec. 2261.302. TRAINING FOR GOVERNING BODIES. All members |
|
of the governing body of a state agency shall complete at least one |
|
abbreviated course of the training program for contract managers |
|
developed and administered by the comptroller. This section does |
|
not apply to a state agency that does not enter into any contracts. |
|
SUBCHAPTER H. CONTRACT PLANNING AND SOLICITATION |
|
Sec. 2261.351. CONTRACT PLANNING. Before a state agency |
|
solicits a contract, the agency must: |
|
(1) identify, justify, and document the need for the |
|
good or service; |
|
(2) identify general contracting objectives, |
|
assumptions, and constraints; |
|
(3) consider alternatives to soliciting the contract; |
|
and |
|
(4) determine the preferred method of delivery for the |
|
good or service. |
|
Sec. 2261.352. SOLICITATION OF CONTRACT. (a) A |
|
solicitation for a contract must include the following: |
|
(1) a description of the work; |
|
(2) a specific and measurable standard of performance; |
|
(3) a list of the test conditions, methods, or |
|
procedures for verifying that the contract deliverable meets the |
|
standard; |
|
(4) a method or process to monitor and ensure quality |
|
in the contract deliverable; |
|
(5) an acceptance process for each contract |
|
deliverable that is expected to be delivered; |
|
(6) a compensation structure that is consistent with |
|
the type and value of work performed; and |
|
(7) a remedy, if appropriate, for failure to meet |
|
contract deliverables. |
|
(b) In preparing a contract solicitation, a state agency |
|
must include in the requirements for the contract deliverables: |
|
(1) the quality level of the good or service; |
|
(2) the amount of completion that is required; |
|
(3) the suitability of the good or service for the work |
|
to be done for the agency; and |
|
(4) a defined and documented method of evaluation to |
|
be used in making the award and in determining the best value bid |
|
for the procurement. |
|
SUBCHAPTER I. CONTRACT CLOSING |
|
Sec. 2261.401. CLOSING PROCEDURE. A state agency shall |
|
create and follow a procedure for contract closing that includes |
|
procedures for: |
|
(1) verification that all: |
|
(A) required goods or services have been |
|
delivered or performed, inspected, and accepted; and |
|
(B) existing options have been exercised or have |
|
expired; |
|
(2) issuance of a contract completion notice by one of |
|
the parties; |
|
(3) acquisition of all required forms, reports, and |
|
clearances; |
|
(4) verification that other applicable terms have been |
|
met; |
|
(5) verification that there are no outstanding claims |
|
or disputes; and |
|
(6) final payment. |
|
SECTION 28. Section 2262.001(1), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(1) "Team" means the Contract Management and Oversight |
|
[Advisory] Team created under Subchapter E [C]. |
|
SECTION 29. Section 2262.0015, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2262.0015. APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN CONTRACTS. |
|
(a) The comptroller by rule shall establish threshold |
|
requirements that exclude small or routine contracts, including |
|
purchase orders, from the application of Subchapters A, B, and D |
|
[this chapter]. |
|
(b) Subchapters A, B, and D do [This chapter does] not apply |
|
to an enrollment contract described by 1 T.A.C. Section 391.183 as |
|
that section existed on November 1, 2013. |
|
SECTION 30. Section 2262.002(b), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, this |
|
[This] chapter does not apply to contracts of the Texas Department |
|
of Transportation that: |
|
(1) relate to highway construction or highway |
|
engineering; or |
|
(2) are subject to Section 201.112, Transportation |
|
Code. |
|
SECTION 31. Sections 2262.051(c) and (d), Government Code, |
|
are amended to read as follows: |
|
(c) The guide must provide required and recommended |
|
contracting processes and procedures and information regarding the |
|
primary duties of [a] contract management [manager], including how |
|
to: |
|
(1) develop and negotiate a contract; |
|
(2) fairly and objectively select a contractor; [and] |
|
(3) monitor contractor and subcontractor performance |
|
under a contract and ensure compliance with provisions in a |
|
contract that hold the contractor accountable for performance |
|
results; |
|
(4) develop an accurate and comprehensive statement of |
|
work and conform contract documents to the statement of work; |
|
(5) evaluate and ensure compliance with contract |
|
deliverables and performance metrics and any associated remedies |
|
and incentives; |
|
(6) maintain required documentation for contracting |
|
decisions, contract changes, and problems with a contract; |
|
(7) communicate any serious issue or risk that is |
|
identified with a contract in a timely manner to the agency's |
|
governing body or the single state officer who governs the agency; |
|
(8) create a risk management process under Section |
|
2261.211; |
|
(9) build and maintain a working relationship with the |
|
contractor, including instruction on communication and timely |
|
management of problems; |
|
(10) create a procedure for selecting and applying a |
|
preferred dispute resolution method; |
|
(11) implement an escalation process to address |
|
contract disagreements; |
|
(12) evaluate and approve requests for payments that |
|
are consistent with the contract; and |
|
(13) develop a process for contract closure and |
|
performance evaluation of a contractor under a contract. |
|
(d) The guide must include model provisions for state agency |
|
contracts. The guide must: |
|
(1) distinguish between essential provisions that a |
|
state agency must include in a contract to protect the interests of |
|
this state and recommended provisions that a state agency may |
|
include in a contract; |
|
(2) recognize the unique contracting needs of an |
|
individual state agency or program and provide procedures for |
|
documenting agency decisions that do not follow required |
|
contracting processes and procedures but are [sufficient
|
|
flexibility to accommodate those needs,] consistent with |
|
protecting the interests of this state; and |
|
(3) include maximum contract periods under which a new |
|
competitive solicitation is not necessary[; and
|
|
[(4)
include the model contract management process
|
|
developed under Section 2262.104 and recommendations on the
|
|
appropriate use of the model]. |
|
SECTION 32. Section 2262.053(d), Government Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) The comptroller shall administer training under this |
|
section and may assess a fee for the training in an amount |
|
sufficient to recover the comptroller's costs under this section. |
|
SECTION 33. Section 2262.0535, Government Code, is amended |
|
by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
|
(c) The comptroller may assess a fee for the training |
|
provided under this section in an amount sufficient to recover the |
|
comptroller's costs under this section. |
|
SECTION 34. Chapter 2262, Government Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subchapters E and F to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER E. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT TEAM |
|
Sec. 2262.201. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
|
(1) "High-risk contract" means a state agency contract |
|
or purchase order that: |
|
(A) has a value of at least $10 million; |
|
(B) has a value of less than $10 million, but has |
|
high-risk factors as identified by the team; |
|
(C) is entered into with an entity that is |
|
incorporated outside of the United States; |
|
(D) is entered into with an entity that, during |
|
the five-year period preceding the date of the purchase or award of |
|
the contract, has had a contract with a state agency or federal |
|
governmental entity terminated or canceled for: |
|
(i) a violation of, or noncompliance with, |
|
the terms of the contract; |
|
(ii) delivery of an ineffective product, |
|
service, or system; |
|
(iii) significant delays or cost overruns; |
|
(iv) fraud; |
|
(v) misconduct; or |
|
(vi) any other event that resulted in the |
|
termination or cancellation of the contract for cause; or |
|
(E) meets other criteria that may be established |
|
by the team, including that the contract or purchase order: |
|
(i) is awarded by an agency with |
|
significant audit findings related to contracting in the previous |
|
two fiscal years; |
|
(ii) is expected to cost more than 20 |
|
percent of the awarding agency's budget available from all sources; |
|
(iii) outsources a program or key function |
|
of a program of the awarding agency; |
|
(iv) has a value of more than $1 million and |
|
is awarded on an emergency basis or is a sole source contract; or |
|
(v) has a value of more than $1 million and |
|
has change orders that increase the cost of the contract by more |
|
than 20 percent of the original contract cost, excluding routine |
|
contract renewals. |
|
(2) "Major information resources project" has the |
|
meaning assigned by Section 2054.003(10). |
|
(3) "Quality assurance team" means the quality |
|
assurance team established under Section 2054.158. |
|
(4) "Solicitation" means a solicitation for bids, |
|
offers, qualifications, proposals, or similar expressions of |
|
interest for a high-risk contract. |
|
Sec. 2262.202. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. (a) This |
|
subchapter applies to contracts of the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation that: |
|
(1) do not relate to highway construction or highway |
|
engineering; or |
|
(2) are not subject to Section 201.112, Transportation |
|
Code. |
|
(b) This subchapter does not apply to a contract of the |
|
Employees Retirement System of Texas or the Teacher Retirement |
|
System of Texas except for a contract with a nongovernmental entity |
|
for claims administration of a group health benefit plan under |
|
Subtitle H, Title 8, Insurance Code. |
|
Sec. 2262.203. ESTABLISHMENT; GENERAL DUTIES. The |
|
Legislative Budget Board shall establish a Contract Management and |
|
Oversight Team to: |
|
(1) develop criteria for identifying high-risk |
|
factors in contracts; |
|
(2) consult with state agencies on and review |
|
high-risk contracts as provided by Section 2262.204; |
|
(3) provide recommendations and assistance to state |
|
agency personnel throughout the contract management process; |
|
(4) coordinate and consult with the quality assurance |
|
team on all high-risk contracts relating to a major information |
|
resources project; and |
|
(5) coordinate and consult with the comptroller to: |
|
(A) develop criteria for high-risk contracts |
|
under Section 2262.201(1)(E); |
|
(B) identify strategies to mitigate contract |
|
risks; and |
|
(C) monitor contract activity using information |
|
from the centralized accounting and payroll system or any successor |
|
system used to implement the enterprise resource planning component |
|
of the uniform statewide accounting project developed under |
|
Sections 2101.035 and 2101.036. |
|
Sec. 2262.204. NOTICE AND REVIEW; WAIVER. (a) Each state |
|
agency must provide written notice to the team not later than the |
|
30th day before the date the agency publicly releases solicitation |
|
documents for a high-risk contract. |
|
(b) A state agency must submit to the team information and |
|
documentation requested by the team that relate to a high-risk |
|
contract, including information on contract development, vendor |
|
selection, and ongoing contract oversight. |
|
(c) The team shall review information and documentation |
|
submitted under Subsection (b) and make recommendations to ensure |
|
that potential risks related to the high-risk contract have been |
|
identified and mitigated. |
|
(d) A state agency shall implement the team's |
|
recommendations and provide any additional documentation required |
|
by the team to demonstrate that risks related to the high-risk |
|
contract have been mitigated. If a recommendation made by the team |
|
is not implemented, the agency must provide written notice to the |
|
team before the 31st day after the date the agency received the |
|
recommendation. |
|
(e) If, after receiving notice provided under Subsection |
|
(d), the team determines that significant risks related to the |
|
high-risk contract remain, the team shall provide written notice of |
|
that fact to the Legislative Budget Board, the governor, and the |
|
comptroller with a description of the risk and recommendations to |
|
mitigate the risk, including cancellation of the high-risk |
|
contract. |
|
(f) The team may adopt criteria for waiving the consultation |
|
and review requirements of this section. |
|
Sec. 2262.205. SOLICITATION AND CONTRACT CANCELLATION. |
|
After review of the written notice provided by the team under |
|
Section 2262.204(e), the Legislative Budget Board, the governor, or |
|
the comptroller may recommend that a state agency cancel a |
|
solicitation or a high-risk contract if: |
|
(1) a proposed contract would place the state at an |
|
unacceptable risk if executed; or |
|
(2) an executed contract is experiencing performance |
|
failure or payment irregularities. |
|
SUBCHAPTER F. VENDOR RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR STATE CONTRACTS |
|
Sec. 2262.251. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "office" |
|
means the State Office of Risk Management. |
|
Sec. 2262.2515. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter does not |
|
apply to a contract for goods with a value of $50,000 or less. |
|
Sec. 2262.252. COMPLIANCE VERIFICATION. (a) Each state |
|
agency shall submit to the office ongoing contracts of the agency |
|
for verification of vendor compliance with contract terms and |
|
requirements and to correct contract compliance deficiencies as |
|
provided by rules adopted by the office under Section 2262.253. |
|
(b) The office may contract with a third-party |
|
credentialing organization to provide compliance verification as |
|
provided by this subchapter. |
|
(c) Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year, |
|
the office shall provide a report to the legislature on the office's |
|
findings under this subchapter and recommendations to ensure state |
|
contract compliance and mitigate risk to the state. |
|
(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the office may not |
|
require a state agency to submit for compliance verification a |
|
contract related to health and human services if: |
|
(1) the value of the contract cannot be determined at |
|
the time of execution of the contract; and |
|
(2) any qualified vendor is eligible for the contract. |
|
Sec. 2262.253. RULES RELATING TO COMPLIANCE VERIFICATION. |
|
(a) The office shall adopt rules to implement this subchapter. |
|
(b) At a minimum, rules adopted under Subsection (a) must: |
|
(1) provide standards for: |
|
(A) selecting and submitting a statistically |
|
significant sampling of contracts for review under this subchapter; |
|
(B) identifying vendor noncompliance or |
|
deficiency as a result of a contract review under this subchapter; |
|
and |
|
(C) implementing corrective action in relation |
|
to vendor noncompliance or deficiency; |
|
(2) in relation to verification system requirements, |
|
provide criteria for: |
|
(A) monitoring of vendor compliance with |
|
contract terms and requirements through the life cycle of the |
|
contract; and |
|
(B) implementation of Internet-based software |
|
that has the capability to exchange information and facilitate |
|
payments and real-time reporting of collected information; |
|
(3) in relation to requirements for contract |
|
compliance verification: |
|
(A) designate verification checklists, including |
|
requirements for interviews and recordkeeping, exposure analyses, |
|
equipment and facility forms, and pre-verification and |
|
post-verification compliance; |
|
(B) provide standards for verifying vendor |
|
certificates of insurance, policy types and limits, policy |
|
expirations and renewals, and endorsements; |
|
(C) provide standards for additional vendor |
|
screenings, including: |
|
(i) financial screening, including |
|
reviewing profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, balance |
|
statements, and federal employer identification numbers and other |
|
taxpayer identification numbers; |
|
(ii) license screening, including any |
|
required certifications and professional licenses; |
|
(iii) state and federal debarment and |
|
exclusion screening; |
|
(iv) compliance with legal requirements; |
|
(v) compliance with safety standards, |
|
including workers' compensation and automobile insurance coverage; |
|
and |
|
(vi) review of vendor compliance with |
|
security standards for information systems; and |
|
(D) address any additional issues the office |
|
determines to be necessary to achieve best practices in the |
|
verification of contracts for compliance with contract terms and |
|
requirements and to correct contract compliance deficiencies; and |
|
(4) set a reasonable fee to be paid by a vendor who |
|
enters into a contract with a state agency in an amount that is |
|
sufficient to recover the office's costs under this subchapter and |
|
that is less than one percent of the contract, not to exceed $1,000. |
|
Sec. 2262.254. REQUIRED CONTRACT PROVISION RELATING TO |
|
VENDOR RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. Each state agency shall include in |
|
each of its contracts a clause that provides that the vendor agrees |
|
that the vendor may be charged a reasonable fee as provided by |
|
Section 2262.253(b)(4). |
|
SECTION 35. Subchapter C, Chapter 2262, Government Code, is |
|
repealed. |
|
SECTION 36. (a) The Contract Advisory Team is abolished. |
|
(b) The validity of an action taken by the Contract Advisory |
|
Team before the team was abolished by this Act is not affected by |
|
the abolition. |
|
(c) All powers and duties of the Contract Advisory Team are |
|
transferred to the Contract Management and Oversight Team |
|
established by this Act. |
|
(d) A rule, form, policy, procedure, or decision of the |
|
Contract Advisory Team continues in effect as a rule, form, policy, |
|
procedure, or decision of the Contract Management and Oversight |
|
Team until superseded by an act of the Contract Management and |
|
Oversight Team. |
|
(e) A reference in law to the Contract Advisory Team means |
|
the Contract Management and Oversight Team. |
|
(f) Any action or proceeding involving the Contract |
|
Advisory Team is transferred without change in status to the |
|
Contract Management and Oversight Team, and the Contract Management |
|
and Oversight Team assumes, without a change in status, the |
|
position of the Contract Advisory Team in a negotiation or |
|
proceeding to which the Contract Advisory Team is a party. |
|
SECTION 37. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this |
|
Act applies only in relation to a contract: |
|
(1) for which a state agency first advertises or |
|
otherwise solicits bids, proposals, offers, or qualifications on or |
|
after the effective date of this Act; |
|
(2) that is extended or modified on or after the |
|
effective date of this Act; or |
|
(3) for which a change order is submitted on or after |
|
the effective date of this Act. |
|
SECTION 38. Sections 2166.2551, 2254.006, and |
|
2254.0301(a), Government Code, as amended by this Act, apply only |
|
to a state agency contract for which the agency is required to |
|
provide notice to the Legislative Budget Board that is entered into |
|
on or after the effective date of this Act. |
|
SECTION 39. To the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails |
|
over another Act of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, |
|
relating to state agency contracting and oversight. |
|
SECTION 40. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |