So you're not a Texas government agency??? No Problem!
You can still purchase through the Texas DIRect Contract! Here's how...
By meeting a couple of simple requirements...like being a public entity (sorry, no individuals or private corporations allowed), and submitting the necessary paperwork (3 page Interlocal Cooperation Contract - ICC), you can be on your way to enjoying the benefits of the pre-negotiated government contract rates through the Department of Information Resources/Agiosat contract vehicle.
Background
ICT Co-op Contracts is a cooperative purchasing program for technology products and services operated by DIR on behalf of the state of Texas. All the procurement work has already been done for you: vendors have responded and been awarded contracts through a competitive bid process and deeply discounted prices have been negotiated. Learn more about our program (1 page - Click here for the information!)
Out of state public entities are welcome to purchase from DIR (see Section 2054.0565 of the Texas Government Code). DIR relies on the Interlocal Cooperation Act, Section 791.025 to document these transactions.
How to Purchase from ICT Co-op Contracts
Before purchasing the technology you need, you must complete the Interlocal Cooperation Contract (ICC). The ICC:
- Allows controlling law to be the law of your state
- Allows you to define the venue for litigation
- Allows you to define dispute resolution procedures
The ICC enables you to purchase from any contract available through the ICT Co-op Contracts program.
To complete the ICC:
- Download and fill out the Interlocal Cooperation Contract (DOC, 51KB)
- Mail two signed and completed copies of the ICC to the following address:
Department of Information Resources
Contracting and Procurement Services Division
P.O. Box 13564
Austin, TX 78711-3564 - DIR will return one fully executed copy of the ICC to you for your records.
Once the ICC has been fully executed by both parties, use the DIR products and services search to browse by product type/sub-type, vendor or commodity code. You will see the contract number, pricing, and ordering information along with vendor contact details.
To make a purchase, simply issue your purchase order directly to the vendor (in this case, Agiosat).
The ICC allows you to use any DIR ICT Co-op contract, so any terms specific to an individual vendor can be addressed through the purchase order process, as long as those terms do not weaken the terms of the master contract.
Why Buy from ICT Co-op Contracts
Save Time. All contracts have been competitively bid so you no longer have to prepare competitive solicitations or evaluate responses. DIR has done the time-consuming procurement work for you and has negotiated discounts on hundreds of products and services.
Save Money. DIR leverages the volume buying power of the state of Texas to negotiate aggressively competitive pricing, which translates into big savings for your organization and your state’s taxpayers. You can even negotiate deeper discounts based on large volume purchases. During fiscal year 2008, DIR ICT Co-op Contracts saved its customers nearly $123 million.
Selection. At 600+ contracts and growing, DIR has the products and services you are looking for. Choose from 20+ brands of computers, 1000+ titles of software, 25+ brands of printers, and much more, all available from multiple vendors.Need assistance with the process? - Please call a member of the Agiosat Government Services or Texas State Team at 877-728-2668 with any questions.