The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
  (1) Chief administrative officer - The commissioner, executive director, president or other executive officer responsible for the day to day operations of a unit of state government.
  (2) Contractor - Independent contractor who has entered into a contract directly with a unit of state government. The term does not include:
    (A) A contractor's subcontractor, officer, employee, agent, or other person furnishing goods or services to a contractor;
    (B) An employee of a unit of state government; or
    (C) A student at an institution of higher education.
  (3) Day - A calendar day. If an act is required to occur on a day falling on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the first working day which is not one of these day should be counted as the required day for purpose of this act.
  (4) Parties - The contractor and unit of state government that have entered into a contract in connection with which a claim of breach of contract has been filed under this chapter.
  (5) Unit of state government or unit - The state or an agency, department, commission, bureau, board, office, council, court, or other entity that is in any branch of state government and that is created by the constitution or a statute of this state, including a university system or institution of higher education. The term does not include a county, municipality, court of a county or municipality, special purpose district, or other political subdivision of this state.

Source Note: The provisions of this §68.3 adopted to be effective May 31, 2000, 25 TexReg 4719