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Overview of Agency Scope and Functions
Page Contents
Statutory Basis
Almost forty years ago, the Texas Legislature began to address the challenges associated with agency management of information resources. Responsibility for the review of information resources expenditures has been assigned to various regulatory agencies through the years. In 1989, the Legislature enacted Chapter 2054, Texas Government Code (the Information Resources Management Act) which comprehensively addressed major aspects of information technology (IT) management. This legislation established DIR to coordinate and direct the use of information resources technologies by state agencies and provide the most cost-effective and useful retrieval and exchange of information within and among state agencies, and to Texas residents and their elected representatives.
DIR’s responsibilities and authority have evolved since its creation. Most recently, the 79th Texas Legislature signaled a clear mandate for the state to restructure the roles and responsibilities for its investment in information and communications technology. DIR responded to this mandate in its 2005 State Strategic Plan for Information Resources Management. In that document, DIR established five statewide goals:
- Reduce Government Costs
- Drive Effective Technology Contracting
- Leverage Shared Technology Operations
- Promote Innovative Use of Technology that Adds Value
- Protect Technology and Information Assets
Ten statewide objectives underpinned the realization of the five statewide goals.
DIR continues to ensure the effective and efficient use of public funds by promoting opportunity and economic prosperity for the state’s citizens through the successful application of statewide services and technologies that are beneficial, secure, accessible, and utilize a statewide shared infrastructure.
Historical Perspective
The oversight of information resources management has evolved from individual procurement reviews to a more strategic process focusing on shared success and shared responsibilities for state information resources. The alignment of agency business operations and technology management is critical to accurate and efficient state operations. An emphasis on cooperative projects in state government has resulted in increased facilitation activities for DIR, including the development of a statewide approach to project delivery, enterprise architecture, IT security management, and messaging.
The 79th Texas Legislature enacted a series of key technology bills that support the continued implementation of a shared statewide technology infrastructure. House Bill 1516 is of great significance to statewide information technology management. It required DIR to establish a statewide technology center for data or disaster recovery services, and enabled DIR to propose additional technology centers to promote efficiency and effectiveness and provide the best value to Texas.
House Bill 1516 broadened the scope of commodities for which DIR is able to negotiate favorable pricing, including hardware, software, and technology services. Additionally, the legislation mandated state agencies’ participation in procuring these commodity items through DIR. House Bill 1516 also directed DIR to develop, in consultation with the Legislative Budget Board and State Auditor’s Office, the Texas Project Delivery Framework guidelines and forms. State agencies must prepare Framework documents for major information resources projects. Each agency’s executive director, project manager, and employee in charge of information security must approve these documents.
Significant events in the agency’s recent history include the following:
2006
- DIR issued a Request for Offer for Data Center Services and signed interagency contracts with 27 agencies prioritized to receive shared data center services.
- DIR executed a contract for Messaging and Collaboration Services with IBM for statewide e-mail services.
- TexasOnline.com, the state’s Web portal, was named the number one state Web site in the country in Brown University’s annual ranking. The site was recognized for its “comprehensive listing of more than 500 online services and for offering all portal content in both English and Spanish. The year 2006 also saw the achievement of “breakeven,” an important financial milestone that marks the full recovery of the cost of constructing the portal. Ownership of the portal assets and infrastructure has now transferred to the State of Texas.
2005
- The 79th Texas Legislature implemented 95 percent of DIR’s technology recommendations in its 2004 Biennial Performance Report, Making Technology Deliver, ensuring a statewide enterprise approach to information resource management and cyber-security.
- DIR played a meaningful role in the statewide response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita by applying technology to offer assistance to hurricane evacuees and relief workers. DIR staff worked collaboratively with other state and local agencies, the federal government, and the private sector to enable Texas to serve thousands of Gulf Coast citizens in need of immediate information and assistance.
- DIR published its state strategic plan for information resources management, Shared Success, Building a Better Texas through Shared Responsibilities, which lays out a plan for improving technology investment and management practices to ensure the state’s business needs provide the driving force behind the state’s technology.
- DIR cooperative contracts usage reached an all-time high. The dollar volume through these contracts, negotiated and managed by DIR, increased by 27 percent over fiscal 2004. This is significant because the pricing for the goods and services continue to decrease while the terms and conditions became more favorable to DIR customers.
2004
- DIR published Making Technology Deliver, its 2004 biennial performance report. In this report, DIR outlined its emphasis on reducing government costs, supporting effective technology contracting and execution, consolidating technology operations for increased efficiencies, and promoting innovative use of technology that adds value to government services. The statewide technology issues identified in this report were addressed in the 79th Texas Legislature by comprehensive technology legislation such as House Bills 1516 and 3112.
- DIR published A Foundation for Change, which presented a roadmap for a shared IT infrastructure to support the missions of government agencies.
2003
The 78th Texas Legislature expanded e-Pay, allowing state agencies to use the service for over-the-counter transactions; required state agencies to provide a link to TexasOnline from their Web sites; required additional state agencies to use the Common Occupational Licensing project; gave DIR additional responsibilities relating to the review of agencies’ IT strategic plans and the oversight of consortia projects; named DIR as a member of the Quality Assurance Team; required DIR to create a Veteran’s Web portal; and required DIR to develop an IT consolidation plan for state government.
2001
The 77th Texas Legislature transferred the Telecommunications Services Division from General Services Commission to DIR and established the Telecommunications Planning and Oversight Council to oversee planning and reporting functions of the division; and established a statewide security program within DIR.
Affected Populations
DIR’s key service populations include the Office of the Governor, Texas Legislature, and oversight agencies; state agencies, universities, and their boards; school districts; political subdivisions; and the citizens of Texas. In 2005, the 79th Texas Legislature authorized state and local government entities from other states to purchase information technology products and services through DIR cooperative contracts, making government entities outside of Texas part of DIR’s service population.
During the past biennium, DIR’s role has expanded to include the provision of innovative technology solutions to meet critical human service delivery needs; for example, technology solutions to expedite hurricane disaster relief and increased information technology security requirements in a post-9/11 environment.
Main Functions
Effective planning and management of IT initiatives by state government are key to the judicious use of taxpayer funds. DIR is responsible for the effective planning, implementation, and management of a statewide technology infrastructure that supports agency business operations.
DIR is also responsible for a cooperative contracts program that enables government entities to efficiently pool their purchasing power to drive down costs. The program provides an effective procurement channel to thousands of public sector entities across Texas. DIR’s role as the provider of choice for state and local governments outside of Texas has also grown.
Another key function is the adoption of statewide technology rules and standards, and the development of guidelines and practices that contribute to effective enterprise management of information and communications technology.
Additionally, DIR is responsible for ensuring that agencies and universities are informed of technology trends and methods for securing information assets, that the state’s electronic government portal (TexasOnline) performs flawlessly, that statewide telecommunication operations are reliable and efficient, and that the Texas Legislature stays informed on IT issues.
DIR will continue to set technology direction in state government by delivering on its commitments described in Shared Success, the 2005 State Strategic Plan for Information Resources Management. These specific functions include:
- Manage consolidated data center services;
- Develop, implement, and manage a new consolidated Internet Protocol network to provide a more robust, efficient, and secure statewide infrastructure;
- Provide enhanced and expanded telecommunications services to meet the growing needs of state agencies and local governments;
- Leverage the statewide investment in information and communications technology, for example, leveraging the Lonestar Education and Research Network (LEARN) to reduce state agency telecommunications costs;
- Assist agencies in providing secure, reliable, statewide IT operations;
- Promote cyber- and network security through the development of a Statewide Network and Security Operations Center;
- Develop and implement statewide security policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures;
- Support the Texas Office of Homeland Security in key initiatives through a tailored implementation plan;
- Negotiate and manage statewide agreements for quality IT products and services to reduce the cost and increase the value of state government computer hardware, software, and services;
- Manage the TexasOnline project and contract to ensure cost recovery and prepare for re-procurement;
- Implement and manage shared services when proven to be an effective and efficient technology service delivery option for the state;
- Develop, in consultation with the Legislative Budget Board and State Auditor’s Office, guidelines and forms required for implementation of the Texas Project Delivery Framework;
- Develop and implement an enterprise architecture for the state that results in rules and standards for information technology;
- Develop a policy framework for promoting code reuse and programming collaboration across state government;
- Develop an integrated strategy for enterprise applications across state government;
- Improve the state’s system for reporting statewide IT assets and expenditures;
- Develop rules and training and provide technical assistance to state agencies; for example, training relating to the use of electronic and information resources by state agencies to facilitate access to individuals with disabilities;
- Complete all legislative mandates in a timely manner; and
- Provide research, advisory services, and technical assistance to all levels of Texas government.
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