DFPS Contract Signature and Authority Delegation
Signature and authority delegation by dollar amount:
- $10,000,000.00 and greater
- $1,000,000.00 and $9,999,999.99
- $0.00 ‐ $999,999.99
- $0.00 ‐ $500,000.00
- $0.00 ‐ $250,000.00 and Regional‐Level Memorandums of Understanding
Other:
DFPS Special Purchases Signature Authority
- Justification for Proprietary and/or Sole Source Purchase
- Justification for Emergency Purchase
- Request for Membership Payments
- Direct Grant Award
Signature Authority for Contracts $10,000,000.00 and Greater
Authority to sign any DFPS contract: $0.00 to over $10,000,000.00, Memorandums of Agreement, and Memorandums of Understanding or Letters of Commitment
| Division/Program | Signature Authority Title | Name |
|---|---|---|
| All DFPS Client/Administrative Goods and Services | DFPS Commissioner | Audrey O’Neill (DFPS Acting Commissioner) |
Delegated Signature Authority for Contracts $1,000,000.00 and $9,999,999.99
Authority to sign any DFPS contract: $0.00 to $9,999,999.99, Memorandums of Agreement, and Memorandums of Understanding or Letters of Commitment
| Division/Program | Signature Authority Title | Name |
|---|---|---|
| All DFPS Client/Administrative Goods and Services, as delegated | Deputy Commissioner of Operations | Jennifer Sims |
| All DFPS Client/Administrative Goods and Services, as delegated | Deputy Commissioner of Programs | Audrey O’Neill |
Delegated Signature Authority for Contracts $0.00 ‐ $999,999.99
Open Enrollment valued at $0.00; Memorandums of Agreement, and State Office Memorandums of Understanding or Letters of Commitment
| Division/Program | Signature Authority Title | Name |
|---|---|---|
| DFPS Client/Administrative Goods and Services | Deputy Commissioner of Operations | Jennifer Sims |
| DFPS Client/Administrative Goods and Services | Deputy Commissioner of Programs | Audrey O’Neill |
| DFPS Client/Administrative Goods and Services | Chief of Staff | Elizabeth Farley |
| Information Systems(IT) including Administrative Goods and Services | Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Operations | Lisa Kanne |
| Administrative Goods and Services | Chief Operating Officer | Roberto Beaty |
| Adult Protective Services(APS) | Associate Commissioner for APS | Kezeli Wold |
| Child Protective Services (CPS) | Associate Commissioner for CPS | Erica Bañuelos |
| Community‐Based Care (CBC) | Community-Based Care Operations Director | Grace Windbigler |
| Child Protective Investigations (CPI) | Associate Commissioner for CPI | Marta Talbert |
| Statewide Intake (SWI) | Associate Commissioner for SWI | Stephen Black |
| Internal Audit | Chief Audit Officer | Chance Watson |
| General Counsel’s Office | General Counsel | Vicki Kozikoujekian |
Delegated Signature Authority for Contracts $0.00 ‐ $500,000.00
| Division/Program | Signature Authority Title | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Goods and Services | Director of Operations Support Services | Stephanie Ramos |
| All DFPS Client/Administrative Goods and Services | Chief Financial Officer | Lea Ann Biggar |
| Adult Protective Services (APS) | Deputy Associate Commissioner for APS | Camille Payne |
| Adult Protective Services (APS) | Director of Field | Cody Minze |
| Adult Protective Services (APS) | Director of Policy and Performance | Amanda Schuler |
| Child Protective Services (CPS) | Deputy Associate Commissioner for CPS | vacant |
| Child Protective Services (CPS) Community‐Based Care (CBC) | Director of Conservatorship | Hector Ortiz |
| Child Protective Investigations (CPI) | Director of Investigations and Alternative Response | Matthew Gilbert |
| Child Protective Investigations (CPI) | Director of Child Care Investigations | Toni Sutton |
| Child Protective Investigations (CPI) | Director of Policy and Practice, Investigations, and Alternative Response | Jerome R. Green Jr. |
| Child Protective Investigations (CPI) | Director Child Care Investigations | Clint Cox |
| Child Protective Investigations (CPI) | Director of Special Investigations | Vincent Riles |
Delegated Signature Authority for Contracts $0.00 ‐ $250,000.00 and Regional‐Level Memorandums of Understanding
Information Systems Goods and Services (IT) and Office of Community-Based Care Transition
| Division/Program | Signature Authority Title | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Information Systems Goods and Services (IT) | Chief Information Officer | Andrew McGrath |
| Office of Community-Based Care Transition | Statewide Director for the Office of Community Based Care Transition | Grace Windbigler (Interim Director) |
Child Protective Services (CPS)
Note: Regional Directors should only sign MOUs regarding their assigned program areas (i.e., CPS should only sign for CPS MOUs).
| Signature Authority Title | Region | Name |
|---|---|---|
| CPS Regional Director | 1 and 2 | George Cannata |
| CPS Regional Director | 3W | George Cannata |
| CPS Regional Director | 3E | Natalie Witherspoon |
| CPS Regional Director | 4 and 5 | Lori Sutton-White |
| CPS Regional Director | 6A | vacant |
| CPS Regional Director | 6B | Leshia Fisher |
| CPS Regional Director | 7 | Natalie Taylor |
| CPS Regional Director | 8 | Leticia Y. Lozano |
| CPS Regional Director | 9 and 10 | Claudia Munoz |
| CPS Regional Director | 11 | Denise S. Barrera |
Adult Protective Services (APS)
Note: Regional Directors should only sign MOUs regarding their assigned program areas (i.e., APS should only sign for APS MOUs).
| Signature Authority Title | Region | Name |
|---|---|---|
| APS Regional Director | 1, 2, and 9 | Karla Warren |
| APS Regional Director | 3 | vacant |
| APS Regional Director | 4 and 5 | Chuck McPherson |
| APS Regional Director | 6 | Christina F. Rector |
| APS Regional Director | 7 and 10 | Diana Perez |
| APS Regional Director | 8 and 11 | Ann Cortez |
Child Protective Investigations (CPI)
Note: Regional Directors should only sign MOUs regarding their assigned program areas (i.e., CPI should only sign for CPI MOUs).
| Signature Authority Title | Region | Name |
|---|---|---|
| CPI Regional Director | 1 and 2 | Tonya L. Harmon |
| CPI Regional Director | 3W | Rebecca Marks |
| CPI Regional Director | 3E | Mary Leigh-Ann Carney |
| CPI Regional Director | 4 and 5 | Keith Gailes |
| CPI Regional Director | 6A | Christin Johnson |
| CPI Regional Director | 6B | Jarita Wharton |
| CPI Regional Director | 7 | Lisa Guyton |
| CPI Regional Director | 8 | Michelle S. Cunningham |
| CPI Regional Director | 9 and 10 | Lorena Maldonado |
| CPI Regional Director | 11 | Marina C. Yzaguirre |
Operations Support Services
Note: Building Maintenance and Alterations for State Owned Facilities.
| Division/Program | Signature Authority Title | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Support Services | Deputy Director Operation Support Services | Heather Molina |
Delegated Signature Authority for Regional‐Level Memorandums of Understanding
| Division/Program | Signature Authority Title | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Support Services | Operations Support Services Director | Heather Molina |
| Chief of Staff | Faith Based and Community Engagement Director | Rachel Duer |
DFPS Special Purchases Signature Authority
Justification for Proprietary and/or Sole Source Purchase
Primary
- Jennifer Sims, Deputy Commissioner of Operations
- Audrey O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner of Programs
Backup
- Lea Ann Biggar, Chief Financial Officer
Justification for Emergency Purchase
Primary
- Jennifer Sims, Deputy Commissioner of Operations
- Audrey O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner of Programs
Backup
- Lea Ann Biggar, Chief Financial Officer
Request for Membership Payments
Primary
- Audrey O’Neill, DFPS Acting Commissioner
Backup
- Jennifer Sims, Deputy Commissioner of Operations
- Audrey O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner of Programs
Direct Grant Awards
Primary
- Jennifer Sims, Deputy Commissioner of Operations
- Audrey O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner of Programs
Backup
- Lea Ann Biggar, Chief Financial Officer
Definitions
Proprietary purchases: Goods or services that are manufactured or offered under exclusive rights of ownership, including rights under patent, copyright, or trade secret law. A good or service is proprietary if it has a distinctive feature or characteristic that is not shared or provided by competing or similar goods or services. A proprietary good or service may be available from more than one source.
Sole Source purchases: A purchase directed to a single provider for a valid reason such as the goods or service are only available from one vendor, or a court order (or other binding legal requirement) directs the use of a particular vendor.
Emergency (purchase): A purchase made when unforeseen and/or a sudden unexpected occurrence creates a clear and imminent danger, requiring immediate action to prevent or mitigate the loss or impairment of life, health, property, or essential public services.
Back to Special Purchase Signature Authority
Updated July 1, 2025
