SECTION 392.801. Contracts for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

(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