DIR Launches Procurement Support Program for Texas Agencies

The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) has launched a procurement support program aimed at helping state agencies plan and develop IT solicitations before they go to market.

The Procurement Advisory and Support Services program, known as PASS, gives approved agencies access to DIR assistance with procurement planning, cost estimating and solicitation drafting. Participation is voluntary, and agencies retain control of the procurement and any resulting contract.

The launch moves into formal operation a concept DIR officials previously described as a “Procurement-as-a-Service” model. Lisa Massock, the state’s chief procurement officer, said the effort was aimed at smaller agencies that lack the internal resources to manage large technology procurements. The earlier discussion also framed the program as a way for DIR to assist with scoping, requirement writing, vendor selection and contract execution support, while helping modernization projects move forward despite limited agency bandwidth.

Under the published guidance, PASS is designed to make it faster and easier for state agencies to plan and solicit IT purchases by bringing DIR subject-matter expertise into the early stages of the procurement life cycle, before a solicitation is issued or a contract is awarded.

DIR says eligible participants must be state agencies as defined in statute. That includes boards, commissions, offices, departments and other agencies in the executive, judicial or legislative branches of state government. Institutions of higher education are excluded. Agencies must submit an intake form and receive written approval from DIR before participating.

The program’s assistance can include helping agencies define needs, understand the market, select a procurement method and map out timelines. DIR may also help develop planning-level cost estimates using market data, benchmarks and project variables, as well as assist with drafting statements of work, requirements and evaluation criteria.

The guidance also sets limits on DIR’s role. The department will not issue solicitations, participate in scoring or award decisions, manage contracts or serve as the contracting officer. Those responsibilities remain with the participating agency, which is also responsible for complying with applicable procurement laws, records requirements and policy obligations.

For vendors, the program may affect how some state technology opportunities are shaped before release. Agencies using PASS could enter the market with more developed scopes, cost assumptions and evaluation criteria. The guidance says DIR may use historical pricing data, comparable state procurements and project variables when supporting cost estimation, while noting that those estimates are planning-level and do not bind DIR, the agency or any vendor.

The program is currently authorized as a pilot. DIR may facilitate it until Jan. 1, 2029, and the agency must submit a report to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2028, summarizing activities and recommending whether to continue or expand the program.