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eXpendit

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Miscellaneous Expenditures
Major Information Systems and Projects

A state agency must provide written notice to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) of a contract for a major information system. Instructions PDF for this process can be found on the LBB website. See also Major Information Systems Contracts in Detailed Contract Reporting Requirements PDF.

See also: ERP Project Review Process

Major Information Resources Projects

Before a state agency may spend appropriated funds for a major information resources project, the agency must define the expected outcomes and outputs for the project in measurable terms and provide that information to the quality assurance team for review. The quality assurance team may waive the project review requirements for a project.

A state agency may only spend appropriated funds for a major information resources project if the project is approved by:

  • The LBB in the agency’s biennial operating plan.
  • The quality assurance team.

A state agency must submit a copy of its biennial operating plan and any amendments approved by the LBB to the governor, the state auditor and the Department of Information Resources (DIR) no later than the 30th day after the date the LBB approves the plan or amendments. If a state agency does not comply with this requirement, the governor may direct the Comptroller's office to deny the agency access to the agency’s appropriations for the management of information resources.

See also: Telecommunications

Major Information Resources System Oversight

DIR shall provide oversight services, including risk management, quality assurance services, independent project monitoring and project management, for major information resources projects described by Government Code Section 2054.003(10)(C) and for other major information resources projects selected for oversight by the governor, lieutenant governor, or speaker of the house of representatives. DIR may contract with a vendor to provide the necessary oversight at DIR’s direction. A state agency with a project subject to oversight shall pay for the oversight services provided by DIR and the quality assurance team based on the funding model developed by DIR.

Definitions:

Major Information System
Includes:
  • One or more computers that together, cost more than $100,000.
  • A service related to computers, including computer software, that costs more than $100,000.
  • A telecommunications apparatus or device serving as a voice, data or video communications network for transmitting, switching, routing, multiplexing, modulating, amplifying or receiving signals on the network and costs more than $100,000.
Major Information Resources Project
Any Information resources technology project identified in a state agency's biennial operating plan with development costs exceeding $5 million and:
  • Requires one year or longer to reach operations status.
  • Involves more than one state agency.
    – or –
  • Substantially alters work methods of state agency personnel or the delivery of services to clients.

The term also includes any information resources technology project designated by the Legislature in the General Appropriations Act as a major information resources project, and any information resources technology project of a state agency designated for additional monitoring under Government Code Section 2261.258(a)(1) if the development costs for the project exceed $5 million.

Quality Assurance Team
Composed of representatives of the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), State Auditor’s office, Comptroller’s office and DIR, as defined by Texas Government Code Section 2054.158.
State Agency
A department, commission, board, office, council, authority or other agency in the executive or judicial branch of state government that is created by the constitution or a statute of this state. The term includes an institution of higher education or a university system as defined by Texas Education Code Section 61.003.
Telecommunications
Any transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, writings, images or sounds of intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems. The term includes all facilities and equipment performing those functions owned, leased or used by state agencies and branches of state government.

Sources [+]

Texas Government Code Sections 2054.003, 2054.008, 2054.103, 2054.104, 2054.118(a), (d), 2054.1181(a); Article IX, Section 9 and Article X, Section 2(a) of the General Appropriations Act.

Documentation Requirements [+]

A state agency must retain in its files a copy of the DIR approval of each major information resource project of the agency.