State Senator Bill Ratliff Announces His Retirement

Bill Ratliff, state Senator and former Lt. Governor, announced his retirement at two press conferences Thursday, the first in his home district of Mount Pleasant, the second in the Texas Senate Chamber.

For months, rumors have been circulating about the senator's future in political office, considering his discontent with the partisan clashes of this summer's contentious called sessions. Ratliff acted independently of his Republican peers during the charged redistricting battle, arguing that the GOP-led bill would hurt rural representation and ruin the cooperative atmosphere of the Senate. In August, Ratliff stated publicly that staying in office was "a day to day or month-to-month decision." He also said that, due to personal reasons, he was almost certain he would not seek reelection when his term expires in 2006.

January 10, 2004 will be his final day in office, he said Thursday.

Regional Academic Health Center Funding to Receive Additional $9 Million for Harlingen Campus

Gov. Rick Perry announced Tuesday that $9 million has been identified to finance operating costs for the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) in Harlingen. Established by the Texas Legislature in 1997, the RAHC is a component of the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio aimed at providing undergraduate and graduate medical education.

A formal request for the funding will be sent to the Legislative Budget Board in the coming days. An agreement with Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick for the appropriation of these funds has already been reached.

The $9 million is in addition to millions of dollars appropriated in the 2004-2005 state budget, including funding $6.56 million for instructional and operational support, $3.16 million for debt service on tuition revenue bonds, $2.62 million for special items support and $1.8 million from tobacco funds.

The RAHC funding announcement marks another significant step for medical training along the state's border. Last month, the governor signed HB 28 which authorized Texas Tech University to issue up to $45 million in tuition revenue bonds for the construction of a medical school in El Paso. In addition, Perry identified $2 million from vetoed funds for use by the school for its start up costs.

New Dropout Tracking System Proposed by House Speaker Craddick

Calling Texas' system for measuring dropout rates inadequate, Speaker Tom Craddick has named a new House subcommittee to review the current tracking system and oversee the development and implementation of a new computerized system.

"According to the most recent dropout report by the Texas Education Agency, less than 1 percent of the nearly 2 million students enrolled in grades 7-12 dropped out in 2002," said Craddick, Midland.

"That figure simply is not credible. We can't get a handle on how to correct our dropout problem until we have confidence that we know how many kids are actually leaving school before they graduate."

The Subcommittee on Completion and Dropout will review the issue, said Craddick, who named Rep. Harold Dutton, Houston, to chair the panel.

The speaker's other appointees include Reps. Glenda Dawson, Pearland, Timoteo Garza, Eagle Pass, Bryan Hughes, Mineola, Jim Keffer, Eastland, Vilma Luna, Corpus Christi, Jerry Madden, Richardson, Jim Pitts, Waxahachie, and Mike Villarreal, San Antonio.

Craddick's charges to the committee include:

- To review the state's dropout prevention and recovery efforts, with the goal of facilitating better evaluation of and cooperation among existing programs. Recommend ways to deploy resources more effectively and efficiently to improve graduation rates and to reduce dropout.

- To oversee development and implementation of a new statewide computer system to track students' progress towards high school graduation that will: provide schools with instant access to electronic student records; analyze school, district, region and state data on completion and dropout; generate real-time reports on emerging patterns of dropout and completion, including statistical reports and mapping capabilities; and comply with all federal and state privacy and confidentiality requirements.

- Review the current complex code system and methodologies for calculating dropout rates that do not ensure consistent reporting. Recommend ways to simplify and improve the reporting of completion and dropout.

State Rep. Timoteo Garza Wants to Help Solve U. S.VISIT Program Problems

State Representative Timoteo "Timo" Garza offered to help U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchinson find solutions to the problems created by the proposed implementation of the U.S. VISIT (Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology) Program. "I agree with U. S. Representatives, Ruben Hinojosa, Solomon Ortiz, and Ciro Rodriguez, if implemented, the U.S. VISIT Program could wreak economic havoc unlike anything South Texas has suffered since the Depression," stated Representative Timoteo Garza.

The U.S. VISIT program was introduced to provide a mechanism to identify those aliens who have lawfully entered the U.S. but have failed to leave in a timely fashion. At the same time, it is designed to attempt to seal the borders against potential terrorist attacks.

The program is set to begin in January 2004 for all seaports and airports, and in January 2005 for all land ports of entry, calls for limiting stays to 72 hours and increasing inspection scrutiny, causing longer lines at border crossings. The program has been criticized by some Texans and public commentators, for inequities in its treatment of Canadian and Mexican visitors.

NEW SPI GOVERNMENT OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT PACKAGE

As a follow up to its successful roll out of The Guide to the Texas State Government Marketplace, and because of repeated requests, SPI is announcing a new procurement information package comprised of:

• Electronic information on unannounced procurement opportunities for 50 major state agencies plus major cities, counties, and other entities (you choose 3 industries).
  
  
• One year of customized daily bid monitoring.

Sil Romero Says State Needs eProcurement

Event Links

2004 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Facilities Conference - 02/04/04-02/06/04

Texas Higher Education Human Resources Association, Winter Conference - 01/11/04-01/13/04

Small Minority and Women Business Owners Conference (S.A.) - 12/10/03

TASSCC State of the State - 12/5/03

TML Conference and Exhibition - 11/19/03 - 11/22/03

Seventh Annual Texas Workforce Conference (TWC) - 11/19/03 - 11/21/03

Past ABJ articles by Mary Scott Nabers

Fingering opportunities in biometric technology - 11/03/2003

It's smart for vendors to watch 'smart card' deals - 10/6/2003

Watch Cap Metro, AISD for vendor opportunities - 9/22/2003

Watch state water board for flow of grant money - 9/8/2003

New state laws open up market at state agencies - 8/25/2003

Insider Archives

Volume 1 Issue 2 - 11/13/03

Volume 1 Issue 1 - 11/7/03

Government agencies catching wireless wave

It seems people everywhere are becoming "wired" in one way or another. That's especially true for government workers. From Blackberry devices and PDAs to wireless LAN cards, an increasing number of products and services are making life simpler for people who want the best of both worlds -- mobility and connectivity. State and local government agencies have produced some of the most outspoken champions of wireless technology. Strategic Partnerships' CEO, Mary Scott Nabers, provides the details on this trend and more in the Austin Business Journal at http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2003/11/17/smallb2.html.

Sil Romero, Director of Purchasing for The Texas Department of Transportation, Looks Forward to eProcurement

Sil Romero, chief of procurement for the Texas Department of Transportation and Chair of the State Advisory Committee to the TBPC, was kind enough to give the Texas Government Insider a few of his insights into the past, present, and future of state procurement.

We asked for some information on the Texas Building and Procurement Commission's advisory committees.

"The Legislature established two advisory bodies, the Vendor Advisory Committee and the State Advisory Committee. Our function, the way that we perceive it to be, is to advise the Building and Procurement Commission on procurement issues, as they affect state agencies. It's kind of a two way street, if TBPC has an issue that affects the agencies they come to us and say "what do you think of this?" If on the other hand, agencies have an issue they'd like to bring to the TBPC, they will.

It's been working well. In the beginning,TBPC just told us what they were going to do. Then a year or so ago, we said, 'Okay guys, this is an advisory committee on procurement…You're supposed to come to us and ask us for advice.' It's worked pretty well since then."

Considering you Chair this council, and have a larger perspective on some of these issues what are some of the big changes that have affected procurement processes in the last year? Have TXMAS and Reverse Auctions really taken off yet?

"No. You can quote me on that if you want..."

"Actually, TXMAS and reverse auctions are two completely different contracting options. The TXMAS, Texas Multiple Award System, brings the state a new method of vendor selection. It is still a competitive solicitation. The schedule contracts are set out for minimum purchases: small amounts. In that case, the federal government says, if you have an item that is going to cost $75000, go ahead and do it, because it's not worth the time to go into a costly solicitation. The federal government level is $25000, which means they can really buy anything under $25000 without taking bids.

"At the state level it's $2000, and yeah, it's a lot of work. What TXMAS does, is that it allows vendors who are on a federal contract to accept the same overall terms and conditions of doing business with the state, and then do business with the state with reduced paperwork. We (procurement managers) still have to obtain competitive quotes between those vendors offering similar items.

What do you see as significant changes coming up on the horizon, as far as agency procurement goes?

"eProcurement. That is the biggest thing by far.

"When Electronic Procurement gets implemented, it will be the equivalent of moving state purchasing from a horse-drawn carriage to a super-sonic aircraft. There is no in-between. Here in the department, we are running an automated purchasing system. The users enter their requests electronically online, the requests get approved and budgeted online, the purchasers receive solicitations online. We even send the solicitations to TBPC electronically.

"But there, the system stops. Everything becomes paper. We send the invitations for bid on paper. The bids come back on paper. We issue purchase orders and purchase orders go to the vendor, on paper. The vendor has to submit an invoice on paper.

"It is A LOT of paper. Essentially, we have an electronic system that is floating on a bed of paper. Now, eProcurement on the other hand, is going to be an electronic system that will be fully electronic. Requests are entered electronically, approved electronically, budgeted electronically, and vendors receive notice electronically. The bids are tabulated automatically, the award is done online, and the vendor gets the purchase order online. We can even execute payment by an electronic funds transfer.

"It will allow us to help each other more, in a way that would be impossible on a paper system. There are a number of agencies who don't buy that much. So whenever they face a single purchase of 70,000 or 80,000, it's daunting. You have larger agencies, the Department of Criminal Justice, DOT, any one of those, that have purchasers that are very accustomed to large purchases. In that eProcurement environment, it would be easy for smaller agencies to get assistance with large purchases; in today's environment, it would be a nightmare, why even bother? But in the eProcurement environment, it will be easy, it will be painless, it will be cost-effective.

"Also, the issue of visibility is very important for the end user. With eProcurement, vendors can chart the status of their bids. It will be a very transparent process."

Do you have anything you would like to share with vendors?

"I have what I consider a love-hate relationship with vendors. If I need information about a product, I'm going to go to vendors for that information. The vendors who understand that we are operating in a competitive environment and simply convey their equipment knowledge and assist us are excellent sources of information. The ones that cannot provide info without selling us their products are not helpful.

State of the State 2003

Hosted by TASSCC and the Department of Information Resources at the Omni Southpark Hotel, Austin, on December 5. The day long conference will bring together technology directors from Texas state agencies and institutions of higher education to discuss the strategic direction of technology in Texas state government. Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., will give the keynote address. For more information or to register, visit http://www.tasscc.org.

Inside ID: The Identification Solution Megashow

Hosted by Inside ID, with various sponsors from the Biometrics field, at the new Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC on December 8-10. For more information or to register, visit http://www.insideid.com.

Business Matchmaking

Sponsored by SBA at the Hyatt Regency, Houston, on December 8-10. For more information or to register, http://www.businessmatchmaking.com.

Second Annual Courts and Local Government Technology Conference

Sponsored by the Texas Association of Counties and held in conjunction with the Government Technology Conference (GTC) at the Austin Convention Center on January 28 and 29, with preconference training on January 26 and 27. Get your message to all the courts in Texas as well as county officials and their key technical staff. For more information and to register or sponsor, visit http://www.county.org/education/events/GovTech/index.asp.

Governor Perry Names Kimbrough State Homeland Security Director

Gov. Rick Perry named Jay Kimbrough as the state's Director of Homeland Security on Tuesday of this week. The new position, which will be part of the Governor's Office, will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating Texas' homeland security efforts among local, state and federal agencies.

"Since Sept. 11, 2001, Jay Kimbrough's work on a variety of homeland security issues has undoubtedly made our state safer and more secure," Perry said. "His return to the Governor's Office will further strengthen our state's efforts to prepare and respond to any natural or man-made disaster."

Kimbrough previously served in the Perry Administration as deputy chief of staff with oversight on homeland security, public safety and criminal justice. In December 2002, Kimbrough was named deputy attorney general for criminal justice by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. In that position, Kimbrough has continued to coordinate homeland security efforts for the state, working directly with the governor.

"With his background in military, government and law enforcement, Jay Kimbrough brings working knowledge to this position that will benefit our state for years to come," Perry said. "Communication between local, state and federal agencies remains key to preparedness, and the position of Homeland Security Director will assure the effective coordination of information and resources continues."

Kimbrough also served as director of the Governor's Criminal Justice Division and in a variety of roles in federal, state and local government since 1966. A decorated Vietnam veteran, Kimbrough was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in the Marine Corps and served as a prosecutor in the U.S. Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps. He also is a former county judge and county attorney in Bee County. He also has served as the executive director of the Texas Commission on Private Security and the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Governor Perry Appoints Two to Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission - Designates Fitzsimons as Presiding Officer

Gov. Rick Perry announced the appointment of two individuals to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission and designated Joseph B.C. Fitzsimons of San Antonio as presiding officer last week. The commission oversees the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Fitzsimons is a rancher and attorney in private practice. He has served on the commission since 2001. He is founding director of the Natural Resources Foundation of Texas, director and former vice president of the Texas Wildlife Association and director of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He is a member of the Texas Bar Association, a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and alumni of the Texas Lyceum Association. He received a bachelor's degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin.

John D. Parker of Lufkin is president of the Trans-Texas Homes Corporation. He is a vice president of the Texas Association of Builders, past director of the National Association of Builders, and 2004 president of the Deep East Texas Association of Builders. Parker was given the USDA-Rural Economic Development Award for Texas Builder/Developer of the Year in 2001. Parker is also a past national trustee of Ducks Unlimited, past Texas State Chairman of Ducks Unlimited, founding president of Pines Gun Club and past co-chair of the Lufkin Chapter of Quail Unlimited. He received a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2009.

Robert Brown of El Paso is president and chairman of the board of Desert Eagle Distributing, in El Paso, Culberson, and Hudspeth Counties, and Roswell, New Mexico. He is also former chair of the board of regents of Texas Tech University and Texas Tech Medical School. Brown's community involvement includes being director of the El Paso Boy Scouts, Sun Bowl Association, and the El Paso Symphony. He is also a member of the El Paso Chamber Foundation. He received a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and a law degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio. His term will expire Feb. 1, 2009.

Perry Names Appointments to the University of Texas Board of Regents, Texas Tech Board of Regents, and Texas State University Board of Regents

Governor Perry named five people to serve on Texas' boards this week. John W. Barnhill, Jr. will serve on the University of Texas Board of Regents. Lawrence Frederick "Rick" Francis and J. Frank Miller, III were named to the Texas Tech Board of Regents. Bernie Francis and John E. Dudley will serve on the Texas State University Board of Regents.

Department of Homeland Security announces Urban Area Security Initiative; Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio to benefit

The Department of Homeland Security announced $725 million dollars of grants to urban areas to help them to improve general security and enhance their communications capabilities. The Urban Area Security Initiative allocates moneys from the FY '04 budget to fifty cities across the nation, building upon the nearly $800 million allocated to urban locales in FY '03. DHS apportioned $675 million dollars for urban area grants, while $50 million will go towards improving the security and surveillance systems of the nation's Metropolitan Rail Transit Authorities.

While New York and Chicago topped the list of recipients, Texas cities received a good deal of funding as well. Houston has an allocation of almost $20 million, Dallas, $12 million, and San Antonio, the last city on the list, has over $6 million available for projects. DHS reported that these were "formula grants" based on a number of factors such as critical infrastructure, population density, and credible threat information. The grants will be channeled through the states to urban areas for purposes designated under each city's "strategic plan." Eighty percent of the grant allocation must be awarded to the designated city authorities and contiguous counties to be spent on the projects outlined in the plan; the states may utilize the other twenty percent of the grant on projects of their choosing within the given urban area.

Speaking about the grant allocation, Tom Ridge said, "The funds will go to the designated states, which will then work with counties and cities to form regions that will work together through mutual aid agreements, interoperable communications, statewide intelligence centers and community and citizen participation. Our goal is to ensure that all of these necessary elements are communicating and coordinating to prevent a crisis and be ready if one occurs."

Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency seeks Research Proposals from Small Businesses

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology division announced today the release of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Solicitation by the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA). The notice, which is available at http://www.fedbizopps.gov and the DHS web site: http://www.dhs.gov, invites small businesses to submit innovative research proposals that address high priority technology areas of the Department.

"In addition to acting as the driving force of our nation's economy, small businesses are leaders in developing new and unique technologies," said Dr. Charles McQueary, Under Secretary for Science and Technology. "Through the SBIR Program we will introduce HSARPA to small businesses and invite them to be a part of our team."

Through this solicitation HSARPA is seeking proposals for the following research and development topics:

• New system/technologies to detect low vapor pressure chemicals
• Chem-bio sensors employing novel receptor scaffold
• Advanced low cost aerosol collectors for surveillance sensors and personal monitoring
• Computer modeling tool for vulnerability assessment of U.S. infrastructure
• Marine asset tag tracking system
• AIS tracking and collision avoidance equipment for small boats
• Ship compartment inspection device
• Advanced secure supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and related distributed control systems

Participation in the HSARPA SBIR Program is restricted to for-profit small businesses in the United States with 500 or fewer employees, including all affiliated firms. Interested small firms will apply first for a six-month Phase I award not to exceed $100,000, to define the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of a particular concept. Firms, whose concepts prove successful in Phase I, may be invited to apply for a two-year Phase II award not to exceed $750,000 to further develop the concept, usually to the prototype stage.

"Our goal with the SBIR program is to benefit from the nation's small businesses in the research and development arena, a critical source of innovation," said Kevin Boshears, Director, of the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. "Like our small business procurement program, the SBIR program makes small business participation part of the Department's culture in support of our national mission."

Department of Homeland Security Announces Cargo Security Initiative

The Department of Homeland Security today released final rules that will allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect cargo information necessary to identify high-risk shipments that could threaten the safety and security of the United States. The final rules for cargo security address the timeline of presentation for electronic advance manifest information.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will process advance cargo information into an automated targeting system linked to various law enforcement and commercial databases. This initial step will enable CBP to efficiently identify shipments that pose a potential risk. Previously most non-maritime inbound shipments entered into the U.S. without being screened by an automated targeting system. As a result, most cargo shipments could not be assessed for risk prior to arrival. The Trade Act provides the Department of Homeland Security with the authority to eliminate antiquated, paper-driven processes for cargo crossing our borders.

"When we are able to obtain better information prior to a shipment's arrival, we will be able to do a more effective job in combating terrorism," said Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security. "These rules will do just that."

"This takes us beyond the maritime 24-Hour Rule to incorporate advance electronic information for all cargo shipments to the U.S., pertaining to commercial trucking, air freight and rail. It is a bold but necessary move to better secure our borders against the terrorist threat without delaying the flow of legitimate trade," said CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection received significant input from the trade community and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA). CBP carefully considered and in many cases adopted the trades' recommendations. CBP will work closely with the trade community to phase in these rules over the coming months.

The following are the timelines for all modes of transportation

Inbound:

• Air & Courier - 4 hours prior to arrival in U.S., or "wheels up" from certain nearby areas
• Rail - 2 hours prior to arrival at a U.S. port of entry
• Vessel - 24 hours prior to lading at foreign port
• Truck - Free And Secure Trade (FAST): 30 minutes prior to arrival in U.S.; non-FAST: 1 hour prior to arrival in the U.S.

Outbound:

• Air & Courier - 2 hours prior to scheduled departure from the U.S.
• Rail - 2 hours prior to the arrival of the train at the border
• Vessel - 24 hours prior to departure from U.S. port where cargo is laden
• Truck - 1 hour prior to the arrival of the truck at the border