Certification
A Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) is a business certified by the State of Texas as being owned, operated, and controlled by an individual who is economically disadvantaged and who has been historically underutilized because of their identification as members of the following groups:
- Asian-Pacific American
- Black Americans
- Hispanic Americans
- Native American
- American Women
- Service Disabled Veterans (with a 20% disability rating)
The HUB must have a permanent business office located in Texas where the majority HUB owner(s) makes the decisions, controls the daily operations of the organization, and participates in the business. The qualifying owners must be residents of the State of Texas.
Please be aware, the Texas State HUB Program is not the same as the Federal Government HUB Zone Program. For information on the HUB Zone Program, please visit the Small Business Administration website or contact by phone (817) 355-5524.
What are the benefits of being certified as a HUB?
As a certified HUB your business will be registered, at no cost, in the State of Texas HUB Directory. This directory is available to more than 200 state agencies and institutions of higher education to assist them in identifying HUBs available for bids, thereby, increasing a HUB's chances of being notified of bid opportunities.
State agency HUB Program Coordinators/Managers will help introduce your company to their Procurement Office.
Other government agencies and private industry companies also use the HUB directory to identify eligible minority and/or women-owned businesses for their procurement opportunities/bids.
Do I have to be HUB certified to do business with a State Agency or University?
No. Certification is not a requirement; however, by being a certified HUB it may increase your chances of being contacted for a bid opportunity. All state agencies and universities are required to demonstrate a "good faith effort" to utilize Hubs in their procurement opportunities.
What is the cost of certification?
There is no cost for certification and renewal is every 4 years.
How do I apply for certification as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)?
For more information on the certification process, please visit the following link https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub/certification-process.php The process allows you to partially complete the application online and then send in supporting documentation. You may also contact the UT Arlington HUB Program Coordinator at (817) 272-2039 for assistance.
How long does it take to become certified as a HUB?
The certification process takes between four to six weeks.
As a HUB am I guaranteed a contract?
No. However, all state agencies, including UT Arlington, must make a good faith effort to seek out HUB's for bid opportunities. Therefore, being certified as a HUB increases your chances of being contacted for a bid when the goods and/or services provided by your company are needed by a state agency or institution of higher learning. This may also be true on bid opportunities with private industry companies since they utilize the HUB directory to identify minority or women-owned business for their bids.
How do I get started doing business with UT Arlington?
Contact the UT Arlington HUB Program Coordinator at (817) 272-2039 to introduce yourself and your company to determine if there is a need for your goods and/or services. You may also e-mail a line sheet with goods and/or services information, which will be shared with the Procurement Office..
How do I get on UT Arlington's Bidders (Vendors) List?
UT Arlington, like other state agencies, does not maintain its own vendor file. They instead use the State of Texas Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) to identify businesses that may be interested in doing business with state agencies. If you wish to be listed in the State Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) there is a modest yearly fee.
Please visit https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/cmbl for more information regarding registration. If you have any questions about the on-line registration or the CMBL in general, please call (512) 463-3459. Registered bidders (HUB and Non-HUB vendors) who have paid the annual fee will receive e-mail notification of bid opportunities.
Registered bidders (HUB and Non-HUB vendors) who have paid the annual fee will receive e-mail notification of bid opportunities.
You may also wish to check the Electronic State Business Daily where UT Arlington posts all bid solicitations. Postings can be viewed by looking at the Agency Name ‘UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON-714’. A PDF version of all Bids and proposals are available for viewing and printing.
How can I identify and contact other state agencies' HUB Program Managers for possible contracting opportunities?
Please visit the http://www.cpa.state.tx.us/procurement/prog/hub/contactlist website for a list of the HUB Program Coordinators/Managers of more than 200 state agencies and universities.
What tips can you give me to increase my chances of doing business with a state agency or university?
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Contact the HUB Program Coordinators to introduce your company to the agency
- Respond quickly to bid requests
- Provide your best prices
- Be very responsive to any product problems
- Supply what you promised with no unauthorized substitutions
- Deliver complete orders as scheduled
- Return calls promptly
- Know your goods and/or services