(a) The Agency shall identify which contracts for goods and services require enhanced monitoring by evaluating the risk factors, which include:

(1) the complexity of the goods and services to be provided;

(2) the contract amount;

(3) the length and scope of the project supported by the contract;

(4) whether the services are new or have changed significantly since the last procurement of the same services;

(5) whether the Agency has experience with the contractor;

(6) whether the project affects external stakeholders or is of particular interest to third parties;

(7) whether Agency data is accessed by the contractor; and

(8) any other factors the Agency determines in a particular circumstance will create a level of risk to the state or Agency such that enhanced monitoring is required.

(b) For contracts requiring enhanced monitoring, the contractor shall report to the assigned Agency contract manager on progress toward goals or performance measure achievements, and the status of deliverables, if any, and on any issues of which the contractor is aware that may create an impediment to meeting the project timeline or goals.

(c) Enhanced monitoring may also include site visits, additional meetings with contractor staff, and inspection of documentation required by the Agency to assess progress toward achievement of performance requirements.

(d) Projects deemed medium or high risk shall be monitored by the assigned contract manager and may involve additional team members such as an assigned project manager and staff from the Office of General Counsel or the Finance, Information Technology, or Regulatory Integrity Divisions, if warranted.

Source Note: The provisions of this §800.351 adopted to be effective October 26, 2020, 45 TexReg 7608