In order to save the state money, the 79th Texas Legislature passed and the Governor signed legislation, H.B. 1516, that requires DIR to negotiate favorable prices for commodity items based on aggregate demand. The law further requires state agencies to buy through these contracts unless a formal exemption is obtained. This legislation should provide additional savings to other governmental entities in Texas, such as counties, cities and school districts that use DIR cooperative contracts because doing so makes good business sense.

Planning and purchasing commodity items through DIR contracts will enable DIR to leverage the purchasing power of all state agencies when negotiating contracts with the vendor community. Aggregating the state’s commodity purchases through common contract vehicles will result in (1) reduced information technology costs, (2) decreased administrative costs, (3) maximized value, (4) common IT procurement processes, and (5) an advocate on an enterprise level.
 

Cooperative Contracts Commodity Purchasing Process and Exemption Guidelines

1. Search by IT commodity code: To search for IT commodity items, please use the IT commodity code search tool available on the Products and Services Search page. If an IT commodity code is on the DIR IT Commodity List, a state agency must purchase the item through a DIR contract or must request and be granted an exemption before procuring the item through an avenue other than a DIR contract.
    
2. Review Blanket Exemptions: Under certain circumstances, DIR may determine that it is reasonable to grant a blanket exemption to all state agencies. Before requesting an exemption, a state agency should review the list of current blanket exemptions to determine if there is a blanket exemption that applies to the IT commodity to be procured.
   
   If a state agency decides to proceed with its IT commodity procurement under a blanket exemption, the procurement must be made in accordance with the exact scope, terms, and requirements specified in the Cooperative Contracts Blanket Exemptions.
    
3. Submit a One-Time Exemption Request form: If a blanket exemption does not exist, or if the scope, terms, and requirements of an existing blanket exemption do not meet the state agency’s needs, then the state agency must request a one-time exemption by completing and submitting an Exemption Request form. To download form and review evaluation procedures, click here.
   
   Note: No Semiannual IT Commodity Report is required.

Go to:
IT Commodity Definitions
Blanket Exemptions
Exemption Request Form

Resources
Rules affecting state agencies for IT commodity items