Cooperative Contracts
Blanket Exemptions for State Agencies
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Ongoing Blanket Exemptions
Expiring Blanket Exemptions
To facilitate the exemption process, DIR has established a series of blanket exemptions listed below. When using these blanket exemptions, it is your agency's responsibility to ensure that the exemption is applicable to your specific procurement.
State agencies utilizing these blanket exemptions must maintain a record of the blanket exemption in their procurement file. Blanket exemptions do not need to be submitted to DIR for approval.
Ongoing Blanket Exemptions
Review the list below of ongoing (perpetual) Blanket Exemptions that exempt a State Agency from purchasing through DIR.
State Agencies are granted an exemption from the statutory requirement to purchase IT commodities through a DIR contract for procurements not to exceed $10,000. In other words, State Agencies may purchase IT commodity items outside of the DIR Cooperative Contracts program if the purchase does not exceed $10,000.
State agencies are granted an exemption from the requirement to purchase through a DIR contract when purchasing technology commodity products and/or services (as defined in TAC §212.1 ) when the value of the contract exceeds $10 million.
For a contract with a value of more than $5 million but not more than $10 million, a state agency may purchase a commodity item using a purchasing method designated by the comptroller under TGC Section 2157.006(a)(2).
State agencies are granted an exemption from the requirement to purchase IT commodities through a DIR contract if a situation arises in which compliance with TGC 2157.068 and/or 1 TAC 212 is impractical or contrary to the public interest, and an Emergency Procurement is warranted to prevent a hazard to life, health, safety, welfare, or property or to avoid undue additional cost to the state. The scope and duration of the purchases shall not exceed the duration of the emergency.
State agencies are granted an exemption from the requirement to purchase IT commodities through a DIR contract if those commodity IT items are offered in the WorkQuest catalog and designated by the Texas Workforce Commission as a product that is set aside from competitive bidding and offered through a DIR Cooperative Contract.
Expiring Blanket Exemptions
Review the list below of Blanket Exemptions that have an expiration timeframe that exempts a State Agency from purchasing through DIR. Note the expiration date for each category. If the purchase order is dated on or before the expiration date, then the blanket exemption may be considered.
State agencies are granted an exemption for the procurement of Computer/Office Accessories and Consumables for the specific IT Commodity codes listed below:
- 610-56 – Ribbons, Computer and Data Processing, All Types (For Tab See 610-73)
- 610-63 – Ribbons, Teleprinter and Teletype, All Types
- 838-68 – Refurbished Telephones
State agencies are granted an exemption for the rental or lease of radio towers only. This exemption is valid for the IT Commodity codes listed below:
- 985-69 – Radio and Telecommunications Equipment and Accessory Rental or Lease (Including Radio Towers)
State agencies are granted an exemption for the procurement of software maintenance, if the software maintenance is only provided by a single provider (i.e., sole source), and not available on a DIR Cooperative Contract. State agencies are advised to check the website prior to the purchase, as DIR adds new offerings on a regular basis. This exemption is valid for the IT Commodity codes listed below:
- 920-45 – Software Maintenance and Support Services and Updates and Data Hosting Services
Electronic Publications, Database or Library Subscription service not offered under any current DIR contract for class code 715-35, 915-51, 956-35, 920-02,920-03 or 920-46. State agencies are advised to check the website prior to the purchase, as DIR adds new products and services on a regular basis.
Internet job posting not offered under any current DIR contract for class code 915-51.
State agencies are granted an exemption for Information Technology (IT) Based Laboratory Equipment only. This exemption is valid for the NIGP Commodity Codes listed below:
- 493-04 - Air Quality Monitoring Equipment and Accessories, Laboratory, Including Ozone Type
- 493-11 - Chromatographs, Laboratory, Gas
State agencies are granted an exemption for Fire Alarm Equipment, Maintenance and Repair Systems. This exemption is valid only for the NIGP Commodity Code listed below:
- 936-09 - Alarm Equipment, Fire, etc. Maintenance and Repair
State agencies are granted an exemption for Fire Protection Equipment and Systems. This exemption is valid only for the NIGP Commodity Code listed below:
- 936-33 – Fire Protection Equipment and Systems Including Fire Hydrants, Fire Sprinkler Systems, Smoke Detectors, Jaws of Life, Fire Protection Material Treatment, Firestop and Fire Barriers, etc. Inspection, Maintenance and Repair
State agencies are granted a blanket exemption for Information Technology-related training acquired through another state agency or state institution of higher education. No exemption is required for non-technology related training, regardless of the training platform or delivery method (e.g., classroom training, virtual classrooms, web-based training, eLearning, mobile learning, webinars). The training content, not the platform or delivery method, dictates the procurement method.
State agencies are granted an exemption for the NIGP Commodity Code 961-93 - Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) as further explained here in the ADA Requirements for Effective Communication and Closed Captioning for Broadcast Television/Webcasts.
State agencies are granted an exemption from the requirement to purchase IT commodities through a DIR contract to fulfill state of Texas electronic filing requirements, specifically related to the selection of a Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) for the filing and service of case-related documents in Texas courts. The Office of Court Administration oversees the eFileTexas system and has responsibility for certifying EFSPs. For more information, visit eFIleTexas.gov.
State agencies are granted an exemption from the requirement to purchase IT commodities through a DIR contract for NIGP Commodity Code 990-70 – Polygraph Testing Services.
Agencies are granted a blanket exemption for Intelligent Transportation System IT commodities that are not on a DIR contract.