PROCUREMENT SERVICES PILOT PROGRAM.

(a) In this section:

(1) "Participating state agency" means a state agency that the department has approved to participate in the pilot program.

(2) "Pilot program" means the procurement services pilot program established under this section.

(3) "State agency" means a board, commission, office, department, or other agency in the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of state government. The term does not include an institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.

(b) The department shall establish a pilot program under which the department provides assistance in the procurement of information resources technologies on request by a participating state agency.

(c) A state agency may participate in the pilot program only if the department approves of the participation in writing.

(d) The department may limit the:

(1) number of participating state agencies in the pilot program; and

(2) types of information resources technologies for which procurement assistance is provided under the pilot program.

(e) Services under the pilot program may include assistance with:

(1) procurement planning;

(2) developing a cost estimate for an information resources technologies project; and

(3) drafting and developing a solicitation.

(f) With respect to any procurement assistance provided by the department under the pilot program, the department:

(1) may not control the procurement for which the assistance is provided or the management of any resulting contract; and

(2) is not civilly liable for damages resulting from the provision of procurement assistance unless the damages result from intentional conduct or gross negligence.

(g) Not later than December 1, 2028, the department shall submit a report to the legislature that includes a summary of the pilot program's activities and a recommendation of whether to continue or expand the program.

(h) This section expires January 1, 2029.