Wendy Barron, who has led IT for the department since 2021, discusses high-level priorities, personal preferences and how a major modernization project will drive procurement in the next year in an exclusive interview — now with video and text.

What to Know:

• DIR plans to issue a cooperative contract solicitation for desktops, laptops, tablets and related hardware, software and services used by state and local entities.
• The forthcoming RFO is expected to move away from branded contracts and may result in one or more indefinite quantity awards with no purchase minimums.
• Manufacturers and resellers will be eligible to respond, with software and services offered in conjunction with hardware.

Industry Insider is opening the floor to member-submitted questions for an upcoming interview with TxDOT’s chief information officer.

What to Know:

• Austin City Council is considering a $2 million contract to expand mobile surveillance trailers in public parks.
• City staff say a pilot launched in 2022 reduced crime, particularly vehicle burglaries in park parking lots.
• The proposed system would exclude facial recognition and audio capture, with city-owned video deleted after 60 days.

What to Know:

• DIR is seeking a new executive director, who also serves as Texas’ state chief information officer, with applications due Feb. 27.
• The search follows the departures of former state CIO Amanda Crawford and Deputy Executive Director Steve Pier.
• The executive director leads statewide IT strategy, major procurements and shared services for an agency of about 325 employees.

Public sector agencies across all levels, from city and state to tribal government to federal agencies, face the ongoing challenge of streamlining workflows. This includes collaborating and sharing data about budgets, programs, spending, decision-making, meetings, and so much more.

AUSTIN (February 2, 2026) – ISF, Inc. today announced the appointment of Monica Corbin as Vice President of Partnerships, a strategic hire that strengthens the company’s commitment to long-term growth, innovative collaboration, and meaningful community impact.

Five public sector trends defining 2026