Contracts and Bids
Financial Interest in a Vendor
A state agency may not enter into a contract for the purchase of goods or services with a private vendor if any of the following agency employees or officials have a financial interest in the vendor:
- A member of the agency’s governing body.
- The governing official, executive director, general counsel, chief procurement officer or procurement director of the agency.
– or – - A family member related to an employee or official described in the bullet points above and related within the second degree by affinity or consanguinity.
A state agency employee or official has a financial interest in a vendor if the employee or official:
- Owns or controls (directly or indirectly) an ownership interest of at least one percent in the vendor (including the right to share in profits) proceeds or capital gains.
– or – - Can reasonably foresee that a contract with the vendor could result in a financial benefit to the employee or official.
A financial interest prohibited by this section does not include:
- A retirement plan.
- A blind trust.
- Insurance coverage.
– or – - Ownership interest of less than one percent in a corporation.
Texas Government Code, Section 2261.252(b–d).
