HUB Program

This site is dedicated to providing you with important and useful information regarding the HUB function of the university including rules and regulations, online forms, training materials, and much more. 

***********Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Important Information*************

New HUB Guidelines Issued for State Agencies

The Comptroller of Public Accounts today issued emergency rules, effective immediately, to ensure the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program complies with the Texas Constitution and U.S. Constitution. The emergency rules posted on the Texas Register revise the eligibility standards for the program, remove statewide utilization goals, and instruct agencies and their employees to implement the program in a way that upholds the equal protection guarantees of our federal and state law. While emergency rules are temporary, the Comptroller's office intends to amend the Texas Administrative Code through the normal rulemaking process to incorporate these changes and make them enduring.

Under the emergency rules, the program will serve small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans (SDV), regardless of race, sex or ethnicity and will be referred to as Veteran Heroes United in Business, or VetHUB. Businesses that were certified in the past based on their owners' race, ethnicity, or gender will no longer qualify, unless they prove ownership and control by SDVs. The Comptroller's office will act promptly to revoke the certifications of businesses that no longer qualify, and the Comptroller will resume certifications once the certification portal and workflows are changed to comply with the emergency rules. 

Agencies and vendors will still use the HUB directory to verify certification status. An agency or vendor still must check the certification on the date it relies on that status to comply with a law or contract. For questions about certification or the HUB directory, contact VetHUBprogram@cpa.texas.gov

The emergency rules do not change the processes of identifying subcontracting opportunities in a solicitation and requiring, receiving, and reviewing subcontracting plans. The emergency rules give agencies added discretion over accepting and amending subcontracting plans. In drafting solicitations, agencies should no longer refer to statewide utilization goals. Agencies may use the percentage goals that were previously in rule if appropriate or may establish utilization goals that are more appropriate for their solicitations. For questions about the exercise of agency discretion, agencies should confer with their legal counsel.

The Comptroller's office has posted a new subcontracting plan form that reflects the emergency rules. The previous form is still usable under these emergency rules because the methods of achieving compliance have not changed. However, the form refers to statewide goals that are no longer in place, which may confuse vendors. If vendors have questions about which form to use or how to complete it, they should contact the agency conducting the procurement.

These actions will not affect existing contracts with the state of Texas. Please visit our website for to access frequently asked questions https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/hub-faq.php

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