Vendor Resources
***********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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Texas has awarded billions of dollars in contracts to companies certified as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB). Be ready when opportunity knocks by certifying your veteran-owned business through the Statewide HUB Program at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
State agencies and universities are constantly looking to work with businesses certified as HUBs. The goal of this good-faith effort is to actively involve HUBs in the Texas procurement process and ensure they receive a fair share of state business.
If you are not a HUB Vendor an interested in becoming a HUB Vendor we have also have a link for that.
How to Register as a HUB Vendor
Looking to become part of a Cooperative?
Cooperative purchasing allows agencies / entities to take advantage of contracts that have already been publicly solicited and awarded by another agency (The Cooperative) that meets our state requirements. Purchasing Cooperatives streamline the purchasing process for schools, municipalities, and other entities in Texas. Most of them are free of charge. Click on the link below for some Cooperative Point of Contacts if interested.
Cooperative & Point of Contacts
Please feel free to contact me at the information below for any questions or concerns.
Ruben Gonzalez, CTCD, CTCM
HUB Coordinator, Procurement & Disbursements
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5731
Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5731
Ph: 361-825-5822
ruben.gonzalez@tamucc.edu