Selling services to government is BIG in Texas!

• Communications services - $112.8 million - This is a broad category and it covers expenditures such as Internet service, wireless communications, online legislative bill tracking services, teleconferencing, answering services and even cable TV.
• Temporary services - $552.7 million - This category includes expenditures for such services as pest control, locksmith, picture framing and security guard service. It also includes temporary hires who fill in for sick employees, sell tickets or perform any type of specialized work on a contract basis.
• Medical services - $84.1 million - These expenditures include expenses incurred by hospitals, nursing homes and state agencies. Contracts are for medical exams required by state retirement systems, pre-employment drug testing, physical therapy, speech therapy and pathology. With numerous state hospitals and state medical teaching facilities, medical services expenses approach $1 billion each year.
• Reproduction/printing - $74 million - The service contracts included here can include blueprints, microfilm, book binding, photo developing, reprints and copy services.
• Financial/accounting services - $47.5 million - Bookkeeping, auditing and actuarial services are common services purchased by the state.
• Freight/delivery - $35.4 million - This category includes contracts for armored car delivery, vehicle towing, air express, couriers and freight haulers.
• Cleaning services - $33.9 million - State buildings, university classrooms, parking garages, prisons and hospitals all require cleaning services. Included also are costs for services such as janitorial, linens, dry cleaning, landscaping and window washing.
• Data processing services - $31.3 million - This category includes statistical services, record storage and copying services.
• Hazardous waste disposal - $13.9 million - Millions are spent each year for the cleanup, removal and disposal of hazardous wastes, including chemical waste, radioactive and nuclear waste. This category also includes asbestos removal and deep well disposal.
• Other professional services - $1 billion - This is a catch-all listing for services that do not necessarily fit in any other category. Some examples of the services included are employee assistance programs, employee counseling, surveying service, mediation services and appraisal services.

There are even more services for which the state contracts:

• $121.7 million for computer programming;
• $24.8 million for educational training and professional training;
• $23.5 million for investment counseling services; and
• $26.1 million for services delivered to wards of the state - ranging from barber and hair care, medical and food services.

It would be hard to think of many services the state does not purchase in a 12-month period of time. Service-related firms should not overlook the continually growing state government marketplace.