TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 2. DEPARTMENT OF ASSISTIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

Chapter 101. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND PROCEDURES

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission proposes amendments to Title 40, Part 2, the rules of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), by repealing two separate sections in Chapter 101 for the Division for Blind Services and the Division for Rehabilitation Services concerning protest procedures, and replacing with a single rule pertaining to protest procedures applicable to the entire agency. The rules being repealed are §101.3839, concerning Protest Procedures and §101.4951, concerning Availability of Protest Procedures. The rule replacing these two rules is 40 TAC §104.301, in a new Chapter 104 of Title 40, Purchase of Goods and Services by the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, and within Chapter 104 in a new Subchapter J, Protest Procedures. The repeals and replacement are being proposed to consolidate separate rules concerning protest procedures from two of the legacy agencies of DARS, the Texas Commission for the Blind, and Texas Rehabilitation Commission, into one rule concerning protest procedures applicable to the entire Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.

Bill Wheeler, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, estimates that for each year of the first five years that the repeals will be in effect, there will be no material fiscal implications for state or local government.

Mr. Wheeler also estimates that for each year of the first five years the repeals will be in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of adopting the proposed repeals will be the agency's compliance with House Bill 2292, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, and other existing provisions of law pertaining to provision of health and human services in Texas. There should be no material economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed for repeal. There should be no material effect to small or micro businesses. In accordance with Government Code §2001.022, the Health and Human Services Commission has determined that the proposed repeals will not affect a local economy.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Roger Darley, Deputy General Counsel, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, 4800 North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 300, Austin, Texas 78756.

Subchapter F. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO BLIND SERVICES

5. PURCHASE OF GOODS AND SERVICES BY THE COMMISSION

40 TAC §101.3839

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeal is proposed under the Government Code, Chapter 531, §531.0055(e), which provides the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to promulgate rules for the operation and provision of health and human services by health and human services agencies.

No other statute, article, or code is affected by this proposal.

§101.3839.Protest Procedures.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 26, 2006.

TRD-200600410

Sylvia F. Hardman

General Counsel

Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 12, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-4050


Subchapter H. PURCHASE OF GOODS AND SERVICES FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES

10. PROTEST PROCEDURES

40 TAC §101.4951

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeal is proposed under the Government Code, Chapter 531, §531.0055(e), which provides the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to promulgate rules for the operation and provision of health and human services by health and human services agencies.

No other statute, article, or code is affected by this proposal.

§101.4951.Availability of Protest Procedures.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 26, 2006.

TRD-200600411

Sylvia F. Hardman

General Counsel

Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 12, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-4050


Chapter 104. PURCHASE OF GOODS AND SERVICES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ASSISTIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

Subchapter J. PROTEST PROCEDURES

40 TAC §104.301

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission proposes amendments to Title 40, Part 2, the rules of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). DARS proposes new Chapter 104, Purchase of Goods and Services by the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, new Subchapter J, Protest Procedures, §104.301, Availability of Protest Procedures. DARS is also repealing two separate sections in Chapter 101 for the Division for Blind Services and the Division for Rehabilitation Services concerning protest procedures, and replacing with this single rule pertaining to protest procedures applicable to the entire agency. The rules being repealed are §101.3839, concerning Protest Procedures and §101.4951, concerning Availability of Protest Procedures. The new rule replaces these two rules. The repeals and replacement are being proposed to consolidate separate rules concerning protest procedures from two of the legacy agencies of DARS, the Texas Commission for the Blind, and Texas Rehabilitation Commission, into one rule concerning protest procedures applicable to the entire Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.

Bill Wheeler, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, estimates that for each year of the first five years that the new rule will be in effect, there will be no material fiscal implications for state or local government.

Mr. Wheeler also estimates that for each year of the first five years the new rule will be in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of adopting the proposed new rule will be the agency's compliance with House Bill 2292, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, and other existing provisions of law pertaining to provision of health and human services in Texas. There should be no material economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the new rule as proposed. There should be no material effect to small or micro businesses. In accordance with Government Code §2001.022, the Health and Human Services Commission has determined that the proposed new rule will not affect a local economy.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Roger Darley, Deputy General Counsel, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, 4800 North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 300, Austin, Texas 78756.

The new rule is proposed under the Government Code, Chapter 531, §531.0055(e), which provides the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to promulgate rules for the operation and provision of health and human services by health and human services agencies.

No other statute, article, or code is affected by this proposal.

§104.301.Availability of Protest Procedures.

(a) A potential recipient of a purchase award may protest a purchase award under the following circumstances:

(1) the purchase award was made under a competitive procurement method and the potential recipient submitted a bid or proposal that was not selected for the award; or

(2) the purchase award was a sole source or emergency procurement.

(b) The protest must be limited to matters relating to the protester's qualifications, the suitability of the goods or services offered by the protester or alleged irregularities in the procurement process.

(c) Protesters must submit written protests to the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) designated purchaser.

(d) In order for the protest to be evaluated on its merits, it must state:

(1) the protester's company name:

(2) specific action the protester is requesting be reconsidered;

(3) how the decision, action, or inaction by DARS violated published DARS policy, or state or federal laws and regulations regarding procurement;

(4) the protester's claim with specific supporting information such as references to pertinent parts of the original request for proposal, offer, bid, or the award documents;

(5) an explanation of the facts under disagreement; and

(6) the subsequent action the protester is requesting.

(e) The written protest must be

(1) signed by the protester or the protester's authorized representative and

(2) delivered by hand, certified mail return receipt requested, facsimile or other verifiable delivery service.

(f) DARS must receive the protest no later than seven calendar days after DARS' notice of decision to execute a purchase award.

(g) Failure to comply with any of the requirements in subsections (a) - (f) of this section will result in dismissal of the protest.

(h) The DARS Commissioner or designee will review the protest and issue a final determination regarding the protest. The Commissioner or designee may, at his or her sole discretion, request supplemental oral or written information from the protester or DARS staff if the information is necessary to evaluate the protest.

(i) DARS limits the review of the protest to a desk review of the materials supplied by the protester and the DARS staff that made the award decision.

(j) DARS sends the protester a written notice of the final determination within 30 days of receiving the written protest.

(k) DARS will not execute a purchase award for a purchase that is the subject of a protest filed in accordance with this section until DARS provides the protester with a written disposition of the protest. DARS may execute a purchase award when there is a pending protest if there is a bona fide emergency or when state or federal laws require a purchase to be awarded by a particular date.

(l) DARS decision on the protest is the final administrative action taken by DARS.

(m) This section does not grant any additional standing or right for an unsuccessful or prospective bidder to protest the award of a contract than otherwise exists in law.

(n) The right to protest non-selection for a purchase award does not apply to:

(1) the award of grants or subcontracts;

(2) goods or services purchased pursuant to the Interagency Cooperation Act, Chapter 771, Government Code, or Interlocal Cooperation Act, Chapter 791, Government Code;

(3) the lease, purchase, or lease-purchase of real property;

(4) interstate or international agreements executed in accordance with applicable law; or

(5) goods or services purchased under contracts or processes administered by any other state agency.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 26, 2006.

TRD-200600412

Sylvia F. Hardman

General Counsel

Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 12, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-4050