Data Center Services (DCS) Exemption Process

The DCS program (through Shared Technology Services) authorized by Texas Government Code, Chapter 2054, Subchapter L, Statewide Technology Centers, established the foundation of a shared technology infrastructure and directed DIR to coordinate a statewide program to consolidate infrastructure services. TGC Section 2054.391 requires state agencies included in the DCS program to use such services, unless otherwise approved by the DIR Executive Director and Governor.

DIR, in its capacity as manager of the DCS program, works with agencies to promote the use of the services, and where applicable, to determine if an exemption to any component of the program is warranted.​

DIR has determined that the use of Software as a Service (SaaS) as a managed service is consistent with the state strategic plan and the DCS framework; however, if an agency is contemplating a SaaS solution outside the DCS program, an approved exemption is required.  

For clarity, SaaS is defined as follows:

Software as a service (SaaS) is a software delivery model in which the agency uses the provider's (e.g. DCS Service Provider or another third-party provider) applications hosted on the provider's cloud infrastructure. The software and associated data are centrally hosted in the cloud. The applications are accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser. The agency does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Note: The Cooperative Contracts and Data Center Services programs are governed by separate government code, and therefore have unique exemption requirements. Agencies within the DCS program are required to have approved DCS exemptions in addition to any exemptions that may be needed or may have already been approved through the DIR Cooperative Contracts program.

To apply for exemption of services within the DCS program, submit the following to our department.

  1. A cover letter in the form of an executive summary, and
  2. A completed Temporary Exemption Request Form ​with required documentation attached.
DOCX (89.41 KB)
Last Updated: 11-17-2022

Submit DCS One-Time Exemption Request

Please address your exemption request to Sally Ward, Director of STS Vendor Management

DCS Exemption Team

Data Center Services

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