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CPRIT outlines plan to replace third‑party grant system with state‑owned platform, extends GDIT contract during transition
Summary
CPRIT staff presented a two‑release plan to modernize the grant management platform on a state‑owned Salesforce base, including early‑intake (release one) for some RFAs and a full cutover targeted for Dec 2026/Jan 2027; the board authorized a one‑year extension of the GDIT contract (not to exceed $6.3M) to cover transition and honoraria payments.
CPRIT deputies told the oversight committee they will retire the agency's long‑standing third‑party grant platform and replace it with a state‑controlled system built on Salesforce and operated through the Department of Information Resources (DIR). The board approved a one‑year extension to the General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) contract (amount not to exceed $6.3 million) to provide subscription services and administrative support during the transition period.
Heidi McConnell, deputy executive and chief operating officer, explained the extension covers a partial subscription fee and operational services (including honoraria payments for peer reviewers that GDIT has historically processed). "When we have our new grant management platform, we will take over issuing all of those payments for honoraria," McConnell said; she told the committee that many manual enhancements requested under the current platform have been expensive and time consuming.
Chief Information Security and Data Officer Soma Mini described a two‑release migration plan: release one will bring application intake for selected RFAs (notably 27.2) online in the new system in late summer to avoid data migration issues; release two aims to complete the migration and retire the GDIT platform by January 31, 2027. Mini said the underlying platform will be Salesforce and that the state will own the bespoke code and configuration. He also said CPRIT intends to deploy narrowly scoped AI capabilities as assistive tools within a closed, state‑owned data environment, with humans retaining final decision authority.
Committee members asked about security, cost savings, and the expected timetable. CPRIT staff said they expect long‑term savings from reduced third‑party enhancement costs and better reporting, but did not present a single payback figure at the meeting. Directors emphasized plans for training and a communications plan to help grantees adapt and noted user acceptance testing will include invitations to grantees to participate.
The oversight committee approved the GDIT extension in open session and voted to authorize publication of a clarifying administrative‑rule revision on withholding final payments (10% holdback) for product development grants to align practice with existing procedures.
