Title/Level:  IT Contract Developer
Agency: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Location:   4900 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78751
Solicitation Reference Number: 2024C0011

DFPS is initiating a planning effort for the next iteration of the agency’s case management system. This planning effort will require DFPS to develop a plan and roadmap outlining goals, objectives, financial impact and milestones. This plan will be used to develop a report due to the Texas Legislature by December 2024. The agency must also assess and evaluate the agency’s readiness through activities and discussions with key child welfare stakeholders to include internal agency staff, judicial partners, community and federal partners, and providers of Community Based Care. DFPS is seeking individuals with expertise and knowledge in the following domains: detailed understanding of Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information Systems (SACWIS) and/or Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems (CCWIS) requirements and design, strategic planning, project management, organizational change management, contract development, financial cost allocation and analysis, federal requirements for data quality plans and reporting, federal requirements for creation and submission of advance planning documents, technical writing, business process re-engineering approaches and techniques, and community outreach and engagement.

DFPS is seeking individuals with the defined skills and qualifications to work as a team with other DFPS contracted resources to produce defined deliverables which will aid the agency in requesting funding and other resources need to implement a new case management system. The worker will interact with various other roles (e.g. business analysts, project managers, contract developer, organizational change manager) to develop work products, prioritize assigned work, and provide recommendations, options, and alternatives as required.

The Worker is responsible for planning and developing a solicitation(s) for a case management system for DFPS using a project management approach to elicit details for creation of the deliverable.   

Worker is also responsible for the following: 

• Conducting a needs assessment to determine requirements for a major information technology solicitation.
• Reviewing internal DFPS documentation and compiling information to meet the goals and objectives of the project; developing contract guidelines and schedules based on timelines to achieve successful contract development.
• Facilitating, collaborating, and communicating with internal and external DFPS stakeholders for the purposes of developing a solicitation that meets the agency’s needs for a new case management system.  
• Facilitating kick-offs, status reporting, team briefings, and other identified sessions.
• Development of a solicitation plan and solicitation plan with comprehensive specifications, key performance measures and deliverables, liquidated damages, and special terms and conditions for the development of a contract with a vendor to deliver a case management system for the agency.
• Recommendations and/or development of a bid evaluation instrument.
• Ensuring all procurement and contract documents comply with state statutes and rules, including all applicable Terms and Conditions.
• Development of a contract management plan for implementation of a case management system.

All work products resulting from the project will be considered “works made for hire” and are the property of DFPS. DFPS may include pre-selection requirements that potential Vendors (and their Worker(s)) must submit to and satisfy such as criminal background checks and fingerprint completion as required by Texas law and DFPS policy. DFPS will pay no fees for interviews, discussions or fingerprinting, which occur during the process of selecting a Worker(s).

Required/Preferred Skills:

• 8 years, Required - Advanced skills and experience in IT procurement preparations and solicitation development (i.e. Statements of Work, Request for Offers, Request for Information, Request for Proposals).
• 8 years, Required - Advanced knowledge of negotiation strategies and techniques, of contract administration and cost monitoring for large scope or high-dollar value contracts
• 8 years, Required - Advanced knowledge of systems and procedures used to evaluate vendor’s performance; and of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the administration of state funds.
• 8 years, Required - Ability to write and edit comprehensive contract requirements and specifications while working under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• 8 years, Required - Elevated skills in communicating effectively both verbally and in writing and advanced skills in gathering, assembling, and correlating information and interpreting complex data.
• 8 years, Required - Experience with version control management, incorporating input and comment from internal and external program stakeholders. Ability to review edited materials and recommended revisions or changes in scope, format, and content.
• 8 years, Required - Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions to analyze complex information while developing plans.
• 8 years, Required - Strong interpersonal skills to include research, planning, organizing directing, coordinating and attention to detail.
• 8 years, Required - Ability to work in a team environment and interact with a diverse level of staff to exchange and/or extract information including presenting material/recommendations to senior and executive level staff.
• 8 years, Required - Experience with the Microsoft Suite of tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, MS Project and SharePoint)
• 8 years, Required - Ability to evaluate material data for reasonableness, necessity, and conformity with contract requirements.
• 1 years, Preferred - State of Texas Procurement experience
• 1 years, Preferred - Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD) or Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM).
• 1 years, Preferred - Preferred knowledge of state of Texas, Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) and Department of Information Resources (DIR) contracting and procurement rules and regulations.
• 1 years, Preferred - Knowledge of CPA Contract Management Guide.
• 1 years, Preferred - Knowledge of Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) and IT Solutions and services offered.
• 1 years, Preferred - Awareness or knowledge of DFPS systems and programs.

Debbie Pedigo
CEO / Senior Staffing Consultant
DebbieP@PedigoStaffing.com 
830.433.4604
210.401.4501
 
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