Historically Underutilized Businesses

Texas Southern University is fully committed to providing procurement and contracting opportunities to Historically Underutilized Businesses. Therefore, Texas Southern University will make a good faith effort to meet or exceed the award of goods, services, and construction contracts to HUBs in accordance with the Texas Gov't Code § 2161.252 and Texas Administrative Code § 111.14.

Texas Southern University is committed to making a good faith effort in achieving the annual goals for the State of Texas http://www.window.state.tx.us/procurement/ with Historically Underutilized Business (HUB's). In accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 2161, Texas Procurement and Support services (TPASS) are responsible for administering the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB's) Program for the State of Texas. The Texas Legislature and Texas Administrative Code 111.13 define a HUB as a for-profit corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, joint venture or a supplier contract Historically Underutilized Historically Underutilized between a HUB and prime contractor which is 51% owned by one or more persons who have been historically underutilized because of their identification or membership to certain minority groups to include:

  • Women
  • Black Americans
  • Hispanic Americans
  • Asian Pacific Americans
  • Native Americans
  • Service Disabled Veteran

HUB Program Goals

The University’s Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program is to increase procurement opportunities for minority and woman-owned businesses. Texas Southern University makes a good faith effort to assist HUBs in receiving a portion of the total yearly procurement/ expenditures. Procurement expenditure goals as per TAC 111.11, Texas Government Code 2161.181 & 2161.182, are as follows:

  • 11.2% Heavy Construction
  • 21.1% Building Construction
  • 32.9% Special Trade Construction
  • 23.7% Professional Services
  • 26.0% Other Services
  • 21.1% Commodities.

Purchasing Bid Limits

  • College or Departmental staff: May procure goods– purchases up to $5,000 via a Direct Pay Voucher process or P-Card.
  • Purchasing Department: Procures of goods or services over $5,000.00 through informal and formal bidding process.
  • Procurement opportunities $25,000 or over are posted on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) http://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/

HUB Subcontracting Plan

If subcontracting opportunities are probable, the university ‘s Invitation to Bids, Request for Offer, RFP and RFQ for construction, professional services, other services, and commodities with an expected value of $100,000 or more shall state that probability and require a HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) - http://wwwprog/hub/hub-subcontracting-plan/

HUB Certification

The Statewide HUB Program provides HUB certification for minority and woman-owned businesses in the State of Texas. Vendors seeking certification as a HUB are required to submit a completed HUB certification application and supporting documentation, affirming under penalty of perjury that their business qualifies as a HUB.

HUB Certification Application Forms

Download the application form for all business structures below, or select your business type to go directly to the application pages your business will need for HUB certification. http://wwwprog/hub/hub-certification/

Benefits of HUB Certification

  • *HUB certification is free of charge.
  • *Certification is valid for 4 years
  • *Business is registered on the Comptroller’s web-based HUB Directory.
  • State agencies use the HUB Directory in conjunction with the Comptroller’s Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) to solicit bids from certified HUBs for state purchasing and contracts.
  • Prime contractors also use the HUB Directory to identify HUBs to whom they will send notification of their subcontracting opportunities.
  • *Increased exposure to the general public, as well as, other entities that have a supplier diversity program and are searching for minority and woman-owned businesses.

HUB Reporting

The state of Texas HUB report is published twice a year and includes information regarding state’s expenditures. http://wwwprog/hub/hub-reporting/

How does the HUB Report Assist Vendors?

The information within the report can also be used by vendors and the public to determine where state agencies purchase products or services. Once this has been identified, vendors can contact that agency's HUB Coordinator to introduce their business and further understand state procurement.