What is a HUB?

A HUB is defined as a profit-making corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership or joint venture in which at least 51% of the shares of stock or equitable securities are owned by one or more persons who are members of the following groups:

Black Americans

Includes all persons having origins of Black racial groups of Africa;

 

Hispanic Americans

Includes all person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South America, or other Spanish/Portuguese culture or origin, regardless of race;

 

Asian Pacific Americans

Includes persons whose origins are from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Territories of the Pacific, or the Northern Marianas; and Subcontinent Asian Americans which includes persons who origins are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, or Nepal;

 

Native Americans

Includes persons who are American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, or Native Hawaiians; and

 

American Women

Includes women of any ethnicity, except those specified above.
In addition, the eligible group member must exercise control over the daily affairs of the business and be active in routine management and administration of the business.

Goals

The Texas Legislature requires each state agencies and higher educational institutions to make a good faith effort to assure that Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBS) receive a portion of all contract dollars. During the fiscal year, an agency is expected to work towards the following HUB goals:

• 11.9% for Heavy Construction Contracts (includes road & highway construction/maintenance)
• 26.1% for Building Construction Contracts (includes general contractors & operative builders contracts)
• 57.2% for Special Trade Construction Contracts (includes building renovations, maintenance and landscape construction)
• 20% for Professional Services Contracts (includes architects, engineers, accounting, financial & medical services)
• 33% for Other Services Contracts (includes legal, maintenance, repair, janitorial, printing, delivery, waste disposal, communications , and many other services)
• 12.6% for Commodities Contracts

Certification

To apply for certification as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) a vendor must complete a HUB application and submit it to the Texas Procurement and Support Services (TPASS).

The appropriate HUB applications are located at TPASS.

For more information about the HUB Certification Program, contact: Underutilized Business (HUB) a vendor must complete a HUB application and submit it to the Texas Comptroller’s of Public Accounts, Texas Procurement and Support Services (TPASS), P.O. Box 13047, Austin, Texas 78711-3047, 512-463-5872 or toll free at 888-863-5881. It takes TPASS approximately 30-45 days to process an application. There is no fee associated with HUB certification. It is free!

HUB certification enables your business to be listed on TPASS's HUB directory only and not on the Centralized Master Bidder's List (CMBL). The CMBL is a comprehensive mailing list of vendors who are actively competing for state business opportunities. The CMBL is an effective tool for businesses to use to market their products and services to state agencies and institutions of higher education. A business may be considered for the CMBL by completing an on-line application. The fee for inclusion on the CMBL is $70.00 per year. The registration fee can be paid by credit card, check or money order. The CMBL categorizes vendors using specific commodity/service codes that describe the commodities/services sold and the state highway districts in which they choose to do business. Texas State University strongly recommends that businesses submitting a HUB application, also apply to be on the CMBL. Texas State University does not maintain any vendor lists separate from the CMBL and the HUB directory. If you are on both lists, then your HUB status is readily apparent to purchasers and contract specialists when they are searching for vendors.

HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP)

The HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) subsequently becomes a provision of the contract awarded as a result of the procurement process. The HSP is written documentation proposed by a potential contractor/vendor (respondent) regarding the use of HUB subcontractors. The HSP must be returned with the bid, proposal, offer, or other applicable expression of interest. An HSP is required for procurements with an expected value of $100,000 or more. To complete an HSP form, go to the following page:

HUB Subcontracting Plan

* After the award, any portion of work subcontracted to a state certified HUB must be reported monthly on a Progress Assessment Report.

If you have any questions, or need assistance to access these forms, please contact the Texas State University HUB Out Reach Program staff at (512) 245-2523 or HUB@txstate.edu

Mentor-Protégé Program Information

The Mentor-Protégé Program is designed to foster long-term relationships between prime contractors and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBS). These relationships should culminate in an increase in the ability of HUBS to contract with the State of Texas or to receive subcontracts under a State contract. Participation in the program is voluntary for both Mentors and Protégé. For more information on the State of Texas Mentor Protégé program.