Historically Underutilized Business Program
TEA purchases a wide variety of goods and services including, but not limited to, the following:
- IT services
- Investment services
- Hearing officers, mediators, and court reporters
- Student assessments
- Educator assessments
- Translation services
- Evaluation services
- Freight transportation (textbooks)
- Electronic and hard copy instructional materials
- Braille, large print, audio, and digitally recorded textbooks
- Office supplies
All agency procurements over $25,000 are posted electronically to the Electronic State Business Daily (outside source).
Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs)
TEA is committed to assisting Historically Underutilized Businesses by providing equal opportunities to compete for all procurement opportunities at the agency. TEA purchases goods and services from HUB vendors whenever possible. TEA's HUB program provides quality service and results to agency users while meeting legislative HUB contract goals. The TEA HUB Office assists vendors with the following:
- Information about HUB opportunities
- Access to procurement information
- Completion of applicable HUB forms and reports
- Mentor-protégé teams
HUB Certification
The State of Texas maintains a HUB program and directory for minority-owned and women-owned businesses. HUB certification increases exposure to all bid opportunities. There is no fee to become HUB certified, but the business must be a for profit corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, or joint venture in which at least 51 percent of the business is owned, operated, actively controlled, and managed by a minority or woman. To learn more, visit the Comptroller of Public Account's website.
Legislative Authority
Texas Government Code §2161 requires that state agencies make a good faith effort to meet HUB goals for all procurements and determine if subcontracting opportunities are probable in connection with agency solicitations. Agencies must determine if subcontracting opportunities are probable with contracts that have an expected value of $100,000 and require a HUB Subcontracting Plan.