The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) is moving away from brand-specific cooperative contracts in a significant change to how public-sector technology is procured in the state.
Under a new model, DIR will no longer solicit contracts tied to individual brands or manufacturers. Instead, the agency will issue solicitations based on functional needs, product categories or technical specifications, marking a shift toward solutions-focused contracting aimed at increasing flexibility, competition and cost savings.
DIR officials said the change is designed to benefit both agencies and vendors.
“Vendors can still submit responses to requests for offers — just without the artificial restrictions around brand, name, manufacturer and identity,” said Chief Procurement Officer Lisa Massock in the agency’s announcement. “Our customers still have access to around a thousand contracts providing best-in-class products and services without the hassle of the procurement process.”
The move is effective immediately. All future solicitations and awards will follow this new approach.
For vendors, the shift represents a meaningful opportunity to compete on functionality, performance and value rather than brand recognition alone. This change may be especially impactful for small and mid-sized providers that offer innovative or cost-efficient technologies but have previously been excluded from brand-tied procurements. With brand requirements removed, vendors that meet DIR’s stated technical or solution-specific criteria can now enter the field with fewer barriers.
According to DIR, the goals of the new model include helping agencies focus on outcomes and functionality rather than brand recognition, opening the door for a broader range of vendors to compete on value and merit, avoiding single-vendor lock-in that limits flexibility and improving pricing through increased competition. As DIR continues to reshape the state’s procurement environment, vendors should expect increased visibility into requirements that emphasize practical solutions, measurable outcomes and interoperability.
DIR encourages interested vendors to monitor its solicitations and submit offers that meet solution-specific requirements, regardless of brand.
Texas DIR Ends Branded Contracts to Open Vendor Access
What to Know:
- Texas DIR will no longer award cooperative contracts based on specific brands, focusing instead on solutions and specifications.
- The new model is intended to increase vendor competition, reduce brand lock-in and improve pricing for agencies.
- Vendors can still submit offers if their products meet the functional requirements outlined in future solicitations.
