Historically Underutilized Business
The TCEQ's Historically Underutilized Business Program (HUB) provides assistance to small businesses owned by minorities, women, and disabled service veterans.
On this page:
- About Historically Underutilized Business
- HUB Certification
- Electronic State Business Daily
- Centralized Master Bidders List
- Calendar of HUB Events for Economic Opportunity Forums (EOFs)
- Procurement Opportunities Available at TCEQ
- TCEQ Mentor-Protégé Program
- HUB Subcontracting Plan
- TCEQ HUB Program Contact Information
About Historically Underutilized Business
The purpose of the HUB program is to promote access to full and equal procurement opportunities in state contracting to all businesses. All state agencies and universities are required to make a good faith effort to include HUBs in procurement opportunities for goods and services.
The TCEQ is committed to providing direct and indirect procurement opportunities to HUBs (CPA Statewide HUB Program) and minority/women-owned enterprises (EPA Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) program) as prime contractors and subcontractors, respectively. HUB certification is the first step a business should take to participate in the program.
HUB Certification
HUB certification increases exposure to opportunities to provide goods and services to state agencies, universities and prime contractors. HUB certification is free and good for four years if a business maintains eligibility. Vendors may qualify for HUB certification if they are:
- a for-profit entity that has not exceeded the size standards as stated in the current Texas Administrative Code, and has its principal place of business in Texas; and
- at least 51% owned by an Asian Pacific American, Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, American woman and/or Service Disabled Veteran, who reside in Texas and actively participate in the control, operations, and management of the entity’s affairs.
For more information regarding HUB certification, visit the Comptroller of Public Accounts
Electronic State Business Daily
Procurement Opportunities of at least $25,000 or more must be posted on the Electronic State Business Daily web page for a minimum of 14 or 21 days, depending on the solicitation. Vendors may search for procurement opportunities by agency or by NIGP code.
TCEQ holds a pre-solicitation conference for most of its solicitations posted on the ESBD. These pre-solicitation conferences are excellent opportunities for HUB vendors to attend and network with interested prime contractors. The agenda incorporates a “Meet the Prime” session for interested HUB subcontractors to market and provide valuable information regarding their business. Visit the ESBD: http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd
Centralized Master Bidders List
The TCEQ accesses the CPA Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL)
Calendar of HUB Events for Economic Opportunity Forums (EOFs)
Economic Opportunity Forums are networking and educational events held by state or other governmental entities, trade organizations, business development centers, and others. Visit the calendar of events on the CPA website
Procurement Opportunities Available at TCEQ
The TCEQ purchases a wide variety of goods and services both directly through prime contracting and indirectly through subcontracting. Examples of these items are:
- Environmental engineering
- Land surveying
- Safety equipment
- Lab equipment
- Computer equipment and peripherals
- Laboratory services
- Testing and monitoring services for air, gas, water and soil
- Environmental drilling
- Environmental remediation
- Hazardous waste transportation
TCEQ Mentor-Protégé Program
The TCEQ Mentor-Protégé (M-P) Program assists in building effective working relationships between established companies and emerging HUB-owned companies. The M-P program fosters mutually beneficial relationships between the volunteer mentors and selected HUBs. More information regarding the M-P program may be obtained from the CPA website
HUB Subcontracting Plan
Prior to soliciting, bidding, proposing, or offering a contract with an expected value of $100,000 or more (including renewals and amendments), each state agency (including institutions of higher education) must determine whether subcontracting is probable under the contract. If subcontracting opportunities are probable, each bid, proposal, offer or other applicable expression of interest must contain a complete and responsive HUB Subcontracting Plan demonstrating compliance with the state’s good faith effort requirements. More information regarding the HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) may be obtained from the CPA website
TCEQ HUB Program Contact Information
TCEQ HUB Program
12100 Park 35 Circle, Bldg. A
Austin, Texas 78753
Email: HUB@tceq.texas.gov