Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program 

The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) encourages Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) vendors to compete for all TVC procurement opportunities. 

TVC’s HUB program has a dual role of increasing HUB participation through the TVC Purchasing Department and the TVC Veteran Entrepreneur Program by:

  • Promoting full and equal opportunities for all vendors in state contracting 
  • Encouraging and assisting HUBs in acquiring HUB certification through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) 
  • Increasing awareness of HUB opportunities through education, communication, training, and outreach efforts

TVC Policy on Utilization of HUBs 

TVC has adopted the Statewide HUB Program rules as its own. TVC is committed to promoting full and equal business opportunities for all businesses in state contracting in accordance with the goals specified in the State of Texas Disparity Study: 

  • 11.2% for heavy construction contracts
  • 21.1% for all building construction contracts
  • 32.9% for all special trade construction contracts
  • 23.7% for professional services contracts    
  • 26.0% for all other services contracts    
  • 21.1% for commodities contracts 

TVC and its contractors shall make a good faith effort to meet or exceed these goals and assist HUBs in receiving a portion of the total contract value of all contracts that TVC expects to award in a fiscal year.

HUB Certification

To be eligible for HUB certification, a business must be: 

  • a for-profit entity that operates principally in Texas; 
  • owned by a U.S. citizen, and Texas resident with proportionate interest and actively involved in control, operations, and management of the entity’s affairs; and 
  • who have been historically underutilized,
  • at least 51 percent owned by a person or persons who are historically underutilized because of their identification as an Asian Pacific American, Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Non-Minority Woman, or a Service Disabled Veteran as defined by 38 U.S.C. Sections 101(2) and 101(16).

HUB certification is free and is good for up to four (4) years as long as the business continues to meet the eligibility requirements.  Once certified, the business will be included in the HUB directory which provides exposure to solicitation opportunities with state agencies and universities.

Vendors who are interested in HUB certification can get detailed information at Statewide HUB Program.  This link will provide detailed information on qualifications and benefits of the HUB Program.  

For more information or to apply for HUB certification, contact the Statewide HUB Program at:

Apply for HUB Certification:

Statewide HUB Program
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/
Email: cpa.hub@cpa.state.tx.us
Phone: (512) 463-5872 or 888-863-5881

HUB Forums (Economic Opportunity Forums) 

HUB Forums consist of various types of events including: vendor fairs, spot bid fairs, business expos, conventions, conferences and workshops that provide opportunities to disseminate and share information about public and private sector procurement, and to increase networking opportunities with small, minority, service-disabled veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses.  HUB Forums are sponsored by state and local government agencies and universities, or other trade organizations that support the economic development of small, minority-, service-disabled veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses.

TVC actively participates in HUB Forums and encourages all vendors to attend these events to interact with TVC’s HUB Coordinators and procurement staff to present their capabilities and discuss potential business opportunities.  

Economic Opportunity Forums Calendar:  A calendar of HUB Forum events can be found on the Economic Opportunity Forums (EOF) webpage maintained by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP)

Each state agency (including institutions of higher education) that considers entering into a contract with an expected value of $100,000 or more (including renewals and amendments) shall, before the agency issues solicitations or other applicable expressions of interest, determine whether subcontracting opportunities are probable under the contract. 

If subcontracting opportunities are probable, each state agency’s invitation for bids or other purchase solicitation documents 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).  References:  Texas Government Code §2161.251, 34 TAC §20.285 

HUB Reporting 

The Statewide HUB Program documents expenditures made by state agencies and institutions of higher education annually and semi-annually in its HUB Report. These reports can enable vendors to:

  • Determine if their business participation can help agencies meet or exceed agency-set HUB goals;   
  • See where agencies purchase their products and services, both by geographic area and type of business, and    
  • Contact agency’ HUB coordinators or purchasing departments, both to introduce their businesses and to learn more about each agency’s procurement processes. 

For more information visit the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts’ HUB Reporting page. 

Mentor-Protégé Program

The Mentor-Protégé program is designed to foster relationships between prime vendors and HUB vendors to provide professional guidance and support to increase the ability of historically underutilized businesses to contract or subcontract with the State of Texas.  

For complete program details and a list of participants visit HUB Mentor Protégé Program on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts’ website.  

Additional Resources and Quick Links

Other State Agencies – Contracting and Procurement Opportunities

Texas Facilities Commission: http://www.tfc.state.tx.us/

University of Texas – https://financials.utexas.edu/hub

Department of Resources Management – https://dir.texas.gov/View-Information-For-Vendors/Pages/Content.aspx?id=18

Texas Dept of Transportation – https://www.txdot.gov/business/partnerships/hub.html

Tx Dept Parks and Wildlife – https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/bidops/hub/

General Land Office – http://www.glo.texas.gov/the-glo/about/agency-administration/