H.B. No. 2791 amends the Labor Code by adding Section 352.060, which outlines the powers and duties of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) regarding the procurement of goods and services for vocational rehabilitation services. The new section allows the TWC to enter into contracts for necessary goods and services and mandates that the commission acquire these through procurement methods that provide the best value. The commission is required to document its considerations of various factors, such as installation costs, delivery terms, vendor reliability, and compliance with laws related to historically underutilized businesses and individuals with disabilities.

Additionally, the bill permits the TWC to adopt rules for the acquisition process, including the option for open-enrollment contracting to enroll multiple vendors if it serves the state's best interests. If the commission does not receive responsive bids for a specific area, it can negotiate with qualified vendors at market value for contracts not exceeding five years. The changes in law will apply only to acquisitions made on or after the effective date of the Act, which will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if not.

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