Relating to powers and duties of the Texas Workforce Commission with respect to the procurement of goods and services for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.

Texas expands purchasing options for disability services

The Texas Workforce Commission can use any approved purchasing method that offers best value for needed vocational rehabilitation goods and services. It must document its consideration of all relevant factors. These include purchase, installation, training, and long-term costs; delivery terms; quality; reliability; service users’ needs; and agency productivity. They also include vendors’ past performance, experience, responsibility, financial resources, ability to do the work, and reliable maintenance agreements. The commission must consider compliance with purchasing laws for historically underutilized businesses and persons with disabilities, plus other relevant factors. It can adopt purchasing rules, including open enrollment for multiple service vendors when that serves the state’s best interests. When an open-market request receives no responsive bids in a specific area, the commission can negotiate a contract. It must first document that an open-market award is unavailable, and the qualified vendor must meet the original requirements. The price must match current market value, and the contract cannot exceed five years. These rules apply only to purchases made on or after the law’s effective date. The law sets immediate effect with a two-thirds vote of all elected members in each chamber; otherwise, September 1, 2025.