Section 2: Contract Standards
Anchor: #i999406Federal Funds
If the work is federally funded, the federal funding agency must approve the use of a private consultant before the selection. The administering division is responsible for obtaining written approval. 23 CFR §172.5.
If the work is federally funded, the federal funding agency must also concur in writing in a sole source procurement regardless of the amount. 23 CFR §172.7(a)(3); Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.303 and 6.304.
Anchor: #i999421Automated Systems
Projects involving Automated (computer) Information Systems must be coordinated through the Information Management Division.
Anchor: #i999431Notices of Intent
The notices of intent for contracts exceeding $15,000 must be submitted to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) and the Governor’s Office of Budget and Planning at the time the selection process starts. The Governor’s Office of Budget and Planning will decide in a finding of fact that the services are necessary. Tex. Gov’t Code §2254.028.
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Public notice of the Request For Proposal must be published in the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD). The notice must be published not later than the 30th day before the date of contract signature. Tex. Gov’t Code §2254.029. If the consultant services contract is $15,000 or less, it is not considered a major consulting services contract. Tex. Gov’t Code §2254.021(2). As a result, it is not subject to publication requirements in the ESBD before or after entering into it. It should at least be published on TxDOT’s webpage.
Anchor: #RTTVMXUHSelection
In selecting a private consultant, TxDOT must base its choice on demonstrated competence, knowledge, qualifications, and the reasonableness of the proposed fee for the services. It is the intent of Texas Government Code, Chapter 2254 to ensure:
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- the greatest and fairest competition in the selection of private consultants, and Anchor: #VXOWKRYJ
- that all potential private consultants are afforded notice of the need for and opportunity to provide consulting services.
When other considerations are equal, private consultants whose principal place of business is within the state or who will manage the consulting engagement wholly from one of its offices within the state are to be given preference. Tex. Gov’t Code §2254.027
Cost is not to be the sole factor in the selection process, but it must be considered.
Anchor: #NRVAPRRQSole Source
Texas Government Code §2254.022 does not prohibit the letting of a sole-source contract for consulting services if no proposal is received from a competent, knowledgeable, and qualified private consultant at a reasonable fee.
Anchor: #i999499Contract Services
Contract Services is responsible for managing the procurement process for all private consulting contracts.
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If the contract exceeds $50,000, a notice must be sent to the LBB no later than the 30th day after entering into the contract. Tex. Gov’t Code §2254.0301.
Anchor: #LKRXANXRRenewing, Amending, or Extending Contract
Before renewing, amending, or extending a contract for major consulting services, the department must notify the Legislative Budget Board and the Office of the Texas Governor of the contract and publish information regarding the renewal, amendment, or extension in the Electronic State Business Daily.
See Tex. Gov’t Code §2254.031.
Anchor: #i999531Reports
As part of the biennial budgetary hearing process conducted by the LBB and the Governor’s Budget and Planning Office, TxDOT must supply reports on what action was taken in response to the recommendations of any private consultant during the previous biennium. Tex. Gov’t Code §2254.037.
Anchor: #i999541Texas State Library
All documents, films, recordings, or reports produced by a private consultant must be filed with the Texas State Library. Tex. Gov’t Code §2254.036.