(a) This rule only applies to contracts or grants issued
for the Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.
(b) Before DARS or HHSC contracts with or provides
a grant to an agency, organization, or individual to provide direct
services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, DARS or HHSC
makes reasonable efforts to notify all potential service providers
of the availability and purpose of the contract or grant.
(c) The notice includes a request that all interested
service providers submit within a specified period a contract or grant
proposal for DARS' of HHSC's consideration. The notice also states
the criteria that DARS or HHSC will consider in determining which
applicant will be awarded the contract or grant.
(d) DARS and HHSC review all proposals submitted under
this section and awards the contract or grant to the applicant that
is best able to provide the needed services. DARS or HHSC may not
award contracts or grants to a former employee of the Office for Deaf
and Hard of Hearing Services within two years after the person's employment
with the Office ceased.
(e) To ensure an equitable distribution of contract
or grant funds, DARS has developed a formula to divide those funds
among the agencies, organizations, or individuals that are awarded
the contracts or grants.


Source Note: The provisions of this §392.801 adopted to be effective June 17, 2015, 40 TexReg 3638