UTSA ranks among top state agencies in HUB purchases

JUNE 2, 2022 — UTSA spent more than $29 million with historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) in 2021, accounting for more than a quarter (27.55%) of the institution’s total expenditures, according to a recent report by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

The report, which tracked spending for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2021, marks the sixth consecutive year UTSA has made the Top 50 list.

UTSA’s continued ranking represents its commitment to maximizing the number and value of purchases with HUBs. UTSA is currently ranked fifth on the Texas Comptroller’s Semi-Annual report, with more than 35% of its expenditures going to HUBs over the first six months of 2022.

“UTSA’s strong placement in Texas’s current HUB rankings demonstrates our commitment to excellence, innovation and diversity,” said UTSA Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Business Affairs Veronica Salazar. “We are dedicated to supporting our community and cultivating the incredible talent and skill found in San Antonio and throughout Texas.”

“At UTSA, we are devoted to providing training, resources and guidance to support HUBs.”

HUB certification requires that at least 51% of a business is owned by an Asian Pacific American, Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, American woman and/or Service Disabled Veteran residing in Texas and actively participating in the control, operation and management of the entity's affairs.

UTSA’s HUB program proactively works with departments throughout the university to increase the number of bids from HUB certified businesses. The institution recently partnered with the San Antonio Independent School District and Alamo Colleges to organize a series of quarterly workshops to help HUB owners develop their businesses during a pandemic, to prepare them to do business with local agencies and other state entities and to provide them with tips to better understand requests for proposals (RFPs), writing proposals and competing for contracts.

“Small business owners often need some direction on how to get certified as a HUB and how to compete for contracts with large state agencies,” said Bruce Williams II, HUB program manager. “At UTSA, we are devoted to providing training, resources and guidance to support HUBs and show them how they can get involved with our university or other state institutions.”

UTSA is a Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution specializing in cyber, health, fundamental futures, and social-economic transformation.

— Brandie Yale