(a) Eligible DCS Customers.      
        (1) In accordance with Texas Government Code §2054.377, participation by an institution of higher education in the DCS program requires approval by the Information Technology Council for Higher Education (ITCHE).       
        (2) In accordance with Texas Government Code Chapter 771, each participating institution of higher education shall execute an Interagency Contract with the department defining the services to be provided prior to the start of services.       
      (b) Request for Services.      
        (1) For prospective higher education DCS Customers initiating service:                  (A) Prior to providing services, a request for new services shall be submitted via a formal written request addressed to the designated DIR representative. The written request shall, at a minimum, include the written approval from ITCHE, 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) After established as a DCS Customer, institutions of higher education requesting additional services offered under this rule shall follow the policies and procedures established for all DCS Customers documented in the Service Management Manual. Institutions of higher education shall also include written approval from ITCHE with any request for additional services.                  (A) Upon receipt of any such request for additional services, a cost estimate will be provided by the DCS Program 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.           
        (3) 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 §215.30 adopted to be effective March 17, 2015, 40 TexReg 1368; amended to be effective August 1, 2021, 46 TexReg 4681