IT Staffing

The ITSAC Portal solicits responses from all eligible ITSAC vendors for the selected labor category. This ensures that state agencies will have met all pricing request threshold requirements. State agencies are not required to obtain DIR's signature on a resulting Purchase Order when using an IT Staffing Services contract.

Click here to download the ITSAC Portal Customer User Guide - DOCX (1.6 MB)
Click here to download the ITSAC Portal Vendor User Guide - DOCX (1.3 MB)

Customers are encouraged to follow this solicitation process when obtaining an ITSAC resource(s) using DIR's Cooperative Contracts for IT Staff Augmentation Services.

1. Log into the ITSAC Portal to submit an IT Staffing Services Solicitation.
2. Complete required information regarding the position requirements. Once the information is finalized, click Submit and set a deadline date to post the solicitation to all eligible vendors.
3. The portal distributes an email notice of the solicitation to all eligible vendors.
4. Vendors contact DIR with inquiries or questions regarding the opportunity.
5. Vendors submit qualified candidates using the portal. The portal performs basic compliance checks prior to vendor submittal.
6. Customers have the follow options available after the solicitation has closed:
• Download a list of all candidates submitted
• Download available candidate resumes
• Cancel solicitation (vendors will be notified via email)
7. Customers will contact vendors regarding prospective candidates. Customers will then schedule and conducts interviews of candidates.
8.  Customer identifies the ITSAC Contractor(s) and terms, including:
• Selection of worker(s)
  
• Negotiation of hourly rate(s)
• Start and end dates
• **Contractor background checks
• Any other related terms and conditions that do not weaken DIR awarded contracts
9. Customer updates the solicitation status as 'Awarded' in the ITSAC Portal and denotes the following:
• Awarded Vendor(s)/contractor(s) name
• Awarded hourly rate
• Start and End date for the position(s)
  

*FOR STATE AGENCY CUSTOMERS ONLY: If a state agency customer receives a Work Quest candidate resume, the agency must review the WorkQuest response and determine whether to select the candidate or not. If the WorkQuest candidate is selected, must report this selection decision on the agency's State Use Report as per HRC 122.

**Per Section 9. Vendor Responsibilities, J. Background and/or Criminal History Investigation of Appendix A of the IT Staffing Contracts, Customers may perform background checks on any incoming contract staff obtained through the ITSAC process (either competitive solicitation or best value process). DIR recommends that Customers perform a background and/or criminal history investigation on any vendor personnel who will have access to sensitive and/or secure systems, data or materials.

Follow this process when obtaining an ITSAC Contractor(s) using DIR's Cooperative Contracts for IT Staffing Services using the best value method. For the best value process, the requirements to obtain bids from WorkQuest apply. In addition, pricing request threshold requirements apply. Consequently, state agencies must meet the following requirements:

• For a contract with a value of $50,000 or less, the agency may directly award the contract to WorkQuest. Otherwise, the agency must solicit a response from the WorkQuest ITSAC contract and one or more other vendors, following the process identified in the IT Staffing Services Best Value Process section below.
• For a contract with a value of more than $50,000 but not more than $1 million, the agency must submit a request for pricing to at least three ITSAC vendors on DIR contract, including WorkQuest. The agency should follow the process identified in the IT Staffing Services Best Value Process section below.
• For a contract with a value of more than $1 million but not more than $5 million, the agency must submit a request for pricing to at least six ITSAC vendors on DIR contract, including WorkQuest. The agency should follow the process identified in the IT Staffing Services Best Value Process section below.

Threshold requirements are for state agencies only. Threshold processes do not apply to Institutions of higher education, K-12, local governments, assistance organizations, or out-of-state customers. For additional information on threshold requirements, please see the Threshold Quick Reference Guide.

1. Customer identifies ITSAC labor category to be procured.
   • FOR STATE AGENCY CUSTOMERS ONLY: State agency customer is required to solicit a response from the WorkQuest ITSAC contract (DIR-TSO-3503) for the selected labor category.
     
   • If the state agency receives a WorkQuest candidate resume, the agency must review the WorkQuest response and determine whether to select the candidate or not.
   • If the WorkQuest candidate is selected, the agency will proceed to item 3 below.
   • If the candidate is not selected, the agency may proceed to item 2 below for satisfying the non-competitive requirements and shall provide DIR with a copy of their “Best Value” justification letter. In addition, the customer must report this decision on the agency's State Use Report as per HRC 122.
   • Non-Texas State Agency Customers proceed to item 2.
2. Customer identifies the ITSAC contractor(s) and terms:
   • Selection of ITSAC contractor(s)(s) from a DIR IT Staffing Services vendor
   • Negotiation of hourly rate(s) below the NTE rate(s)
     
   • Contractor background checks
     Per Section 9. Vendor Responsibilities, J. Background and/or Criminal History Investigation of Appendix A of the IT Staffing Contracts, Customers may perform background checks on any incoming contract staff obtained through the ITSAC process (either competitive solicitation or best value process). DIR recommends that Customers perform a background and/or criminal history investigation on any vendor personnel who will have access to sensitive and/or secure systems, data or materials.
   • Identification of contract term (start and end dates)
     
   • Any other related terms and conditions that do not weaken DIR awarded contracts
3. Customer generates a purchase order directly/payable to IT Staffing Services vendor. Customer must reference Vendor Contract Number on purchase order. Purchase orders are effective and binding when accepted by vendor.
4. Customer provides DIR with a BEST VALUE LETTER OF JUSTIFICATION, including:
   • Justification statement
   • Awarded vendor(s)/contractor(s) names and vendor's DIR Contract number
   • Category, title, level
   • Awarded hourly rate
   • Email Letter of Justification to ann.texter@dir.texas.gov
5. Customer manages ITSAC contractor(s).
6. Vendor submits invoices directly to the customer. Invoices are to be issued in compliance with TGC 2251.
7. Customer makes payment directly to the vendor. Customers are to comply with TGC 2251, in making payments to vendors.