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What to Know:
- Texas agencies should expect a leaner budget cycle, with technology requests facing more scrutiny around cost, timing and business justification.
- Cybersecurity and legacy modernization projects will need clear risk narratives, agency alignment and defensible pricing to compete for funding.
- Vendors at the Texas Digital Government Summit were urged to work through agency leadership, avoid disconnected capitol advocacy and be cautious in how they frame AI savings.
Top News Stories
What to Know:
- DIR’s new PASS program gives state agencies hands-on procurement planning support before technology solicitations go to market.
- Agencies remain responsible for issuing solicitations, making award decisions and managing resulting contracts.
- Vendors may see more developed scopes, cost estimates and evaluation criteria from agencies that use DIR’s support.
The Best of Texas Awards highlight public-sector technology work across Texas agencies, with this year’s honorees representing child and family services, workforce services, public safety, parks and wildlife, retirement administration and agriculture.
What to Know:
- STS customers using AWS through the PCM program will receive 21 percent discounts in year 1 and 22 percent discounts in years 2 through 4.
- The updated model eliminates previous procurement sourcing fees for Cooperative Contract and open-market purchases.
- Public contract records list the NTT DATA Americas agreement through Aug. 31, 2030, with an expiration date of Aug. 31, 2034.
What to Know:
- Budget pressure, foundational upgrades and cautious AI adoption are shaping near-term decisions.
- Williamson County is managing major efforts including Workday, a new dispatch and records management system, fiber expansion and a second 911 center.
- Both IT leaders told vendors to be prepared for cooperative purchasing, security review and formal intake processes.
The former state CIO and current Texas insurance commissioner was recognized for 27 years of public service, including her leadership of statewide technology, cybersecurity and digital government initiatives.
What to Know:
- The new role reports to Tony Sauerhoff, who recently took on the role of CIO and DIR executive director.
- The position will oversee DIR’s IT and AI divisions, including enterprise technology strategy, AI governance and architecture standards.
The opening comes as Midland’s IT leadership pursues cybersecurity grant funding to strengthen planning and resilience.
What to Know:
- Lampman brings experience in public-sector and federal technology sales.
- His focus is helping agencies address patching and security challenges through automation and proactive risk reduction.
Travis County Director of IT Ralph Warren and Williamson County CIO Richard Semple will speak about their organizations’ strategic IT priorities, current initiatives and long-term goals at an upcoming Industry Insider — Texas member briefing. Here’s a look at the two counties and their IT plans.
What to Know:
- Tech is embedded across TxDOT’s operations, from automation to data tools.
- TxDOT is seeking an option to work outside DIR’s Shared Technology Services for cloud procurement, citing added tickets, timelines and administrative overhead.
- AI training, governance and data literacy are emerging workforce priorities.
What to Know:
- The agreement runs through June 5, 2027, and is valued at $868,975.
- Residents raised concerns about vehicle tracking, privacy controls and potential access by outside agencies.
- County officials said the system captures vehicle images but does not run registered owner information.
What to Know:
- The new webpage was created in response to legislation passed by the 89th Texas Legislature.
- The page is meant to help employers assess workers’ childcare needs and review options.
- The page also highlights Employer Child Care Solutions, a TWC program offering technical assistance to employers with workers in Texas.
What to Know:
- Wood is retiring after more than 28 years with the agency, including service as director of procurement.
- Walsh brings 25 years of state government experience to the agency.
What to Know:
- The largest Fiscal Year 2027 line items are $16.8 million for radio migration and $16.1 million for rural broadband expansion.
- Recommended spending also includes digital services, cybersecurity and operational technology projects.
- Future work through 2031 includes radio, LTE, cybersecurity and digital services upgrades.
What to Know:
- DIR reported 27 agencies have requested more information about website templates developed for the state’s modernization effort.
- DIR will use agency technology review responses for a November report on modernization progress.
- The agency is supporting the modernization effort through web scanning, training and agency office hours.
What to Know:
- City staff identified a projected $37.7 million general fund gap and said a balanced recommendation is expected Aug. 11.
- Dallas is reviewing 311 operations to determine how much work should be handled by live agents versus automated tools.
- Budget materials list public safety technology costs tied to Axon and Verkada.
What to Know:
- TxDOT is seeking technical, training and business-focused roles to support AI work across the agency.
- The positions span AI development, data architecture, training, communications, project management and business analysis.
- The hiring push follows TxDOT’s broader shift from AI planning to implementation.
Next week’s members-only event in Austin will feature technology leaders from Travis County and Williamson County.
What to Know:
- Public opposition centered on privacy, surveillance, cybersecurity and the potential cost of replacing damaged equipment.
- Councilmembers questioned whether the project had changed from the original grant application, including the number of cameras to be installed.
- City officials said the paid invoice had not yet been reimbursed through the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority grant.
What to Know:
- DIR is implementing statewide AI requirements through training certification, public-facing notice templates and agency reporting.
- The agency has received 87 AI training certification applications and has certified 57 programs.
- DIR added AI questions to the 2026 Information Resources Deployment Review to track agency use.
What to Know:
- DIR transferred statewide cybersecurity employees and functions to Texas Cyber Command on March 1.
- DIR will retain internal cybersecurity responsibilities and vendor-focused security oversight within its Shared Technology Services program.
- Cyber Command has assumed DIR’s former roles tied to prohibited technologies and the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.
Contributed Content
State and local governments are under growing pressure to move artificial intelligence (AI) from pilot programs to real-world operations. Legislators want measurable progress, residents expect faster and more responsive services and agencies face ongoing budget and workforce constraints.
AI is already inside your organization. The question is whether you are in control of it, or it is in control of you.
Why Traditional IT Cost Metrics Fail in the AI Era—and What Leaders Should Measure Instead
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Procurement in the Age of AI — June 16, 2026
