Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program
| Effective: | 11/30/16 | Approved By: Senior Associate Vice President for Financial Affairs and Chief Financial Officer | |
| Revised: | 12/18/2020 |
For Assistance Contact: HUB Program Manager
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Purpose/Scope
To provide information and guidance for University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) departments regarding the UTSA Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program. In case of any discrepancies, the HUB rules and regulations in the Contract Management Handbook and in the Authority section below will take precedence over this guideline.
This guideline applies to UTSA employees who make purchases using UTSA funds or influence such purchases.
Information for vendors and potential vendors is available at the UTSA Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program website.
Authority
- Texas Government Code Chapter 2161 Historically Underutilized Businesses
- UT System Regents' Rules and Regulations — Rule 20701: Use of Historically Underutilized Businesses
- University of Texas (UT) System UTS 137 — Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program
University Guidelines
Table of Contents
- Overview
- HUB Requirements Based on Purchase Amounts
- Finding HUBs
- HUB Subcontracting Plan
- Additional Resources
A. Overview
The UT System HUB Office defines Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) as a corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership or joint venture formed for the purpose of making a profit in which at least 51 percent ownership of the business is by a woman, minority and/or service-disabled veteran. To be designated as a HUB, vendors must complete the HUB Certification Process.
The HUB program is a Texas statewide initiative. As an agency of the State of Texas and as a public institution of higher education, UTSA has a responsibility to support matters of public policy. UTSA is committed to a good faith effort to increase purchases from and contract awards to HUBs consistent with the state's goals for HUB participation and overall economic development.
All UTSA employees who make purchases using UTSA funds or influence such purchases must be aware of the program and participate in UTSA’s good faith effort to provide opportunities for HUB participation.
B. HUB Requirements Based on Purchase Amounts
| Dollar Range | Procedure |
|---|---|
| $0 to $14,999.99 | Use HUBs when available. |
| $15,000.00 to $50,000.00 (Informal Bids, Quotes) |
Requires (a) a competitive solicitation requesting informal quotes from a minimum of three possible providers, with two quotes from HUBs strongly encouraged (b) Exclusive Acquisition; or (c) Group Purchase. |
| $50,000.01 to $99,999.99 (Formal Procurement Solicitations) |
Requires (a) a competitive solicitation requesting formal written responses from a minimum of three possible providers, with at least two requests solicited to HUBs if available; (b) Exclusive Acquisition; or (c) Group Purchase. |
| $100,000.00 or more (Formal Procurement Solicitations) |
Generally, purchases of goods or services with an expected value of $100,000 or more require the vendor to provide a HUB Subcontracting Plan. For further information, refer to the Contract Management Handbook. |
C. Finding HUBs
The following sources are available to departments for finding HUBs:
- State of Texas — Comptroller of Public Accounts: Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) – The State Comptroller maintains this database to assist state agencies in finding HUBs. Instructions for using the CMBL are available on the Comptroller of Public Accounts search tips web page .
- HUB Vendor List – the UTSA HUB Office maintains this list, which provides HUB vendor names, website links and other useful information.
- Contact the HUB program manager for additional assistance in finding HUBs.
D. HUB Subcontracting Plan
Texas Government Code Section 2161.252 requires state agencies to determine whether subcontracting opportunities are probable for contracts with an expected value of $100,000 or more.
The Purchasing Department makes this determination in consultation with the HUB program manager before purchase solicitation documents are issued. If subcontracting opportunities are probable, the purchase solicitation documents will state that probability and require a HUB Subcontracting Plan documenting that the vendor:
- Has used its best efforts to select HUBs as subcontractors and will use the documented subcontractors in completion of the purchase; or
- Will perform all services under the purchase without subcontracting.
The HUB Subcontracting Plan, if required, becomes a provision of the awarded contract, and compliance is monitored by UTSA during the term of the contract.
E. Additional Resources
For more information on the UTSA HUB program, see UTSA Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP) 9.26 — Historically Underutilized Business Program, the UTSA HUB website and the How to Do Business with UTSA web page.
