(a) Eligible DCS Customers.
  (1) Designated State Agencies.
    (A) In accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 771, each participating state agency shall execute an Interagency Contract with the department prior to the start of services.
    (B) Exemption Process. A designated state agency requesting exemption from all or part of the Data Center Services shall provide to the designated DIR representative:
      (i) Executive summary that describes the reason(s) for designated customer's requested exemption, signed by the agency head or designee;
      (ii) Agency certification that includes documentation in which designated customer certifies that the proposed alternative to Data Center Services:
        (I) Is financially viable;
        (II) Protects state agency data;
        (III) Is in the best interest of the State of Texas; and
        (IV) Is compatible with the current Data Center Services system environment.
      (iii) Upon receipt of all required documentation, the department shall review and provide a formal determination to the requesting designated customer within 30 calendar days. The department's determination will be based on the best interest of the State.
  (2) Discretionary State Agencies. In accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 771, each participating state agency shall execute an Interagency Contract with the department defining the services to be provided prior to the start of services.
  (3) Local Government Entity. In accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 791, each participating local government shall execute an Interlocal Contract with the department defining the services to be provided prior to the start of services.
(b) Request for Services.
  (1) For prospective DCS Customers initiating service:
    (A) Prior to providing services, a request for new services shall be submitted via a written request addressed to the designated DIR representative. The written request shall, at a minimum, include the DCS Customer's estimated compute volume and service requirements.
    (B) Upon receipt of any such request to initiate service, a cost estimate will be provided by the DCS Program to the prospective DCS Customer.
  (2) An existing DCS Customer requesting additional services offered under this rule shall follow the policies and procedures established for all DCS Customers documented in the Service Management Manual.
    (A) Upon receipt of any such request for additional services, the DCS Program will provide a cost estimate to the DCS Customer.
    (B) Along with the cost estimate, a formal notice from the DCS Program to the DCS Customer shall include:
      (i) The scope of the services to be provided; and
      (ii) The implementation schedule.
    (C) A DCS Customer seeking to obtain project work or other service changes shall submit a request via the online Service Catalog.

Source Note: The provisions of this §215.10 adopted to be effective March 17, 2015, 40 TexReg 1368; amended to be effective August 1, 2021, 46 TexReg 4681