The goal of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program is to encourage and effectively promote the use of minority and woman-owned businesses in the Department's procurement activities. The DSHS HUB Program Office seeks to:
- Ensure the Department complies with state law and administrative rules governing the HUB program;
- Assist minority and woman-owned businesses in becoming certified as HUBs;
- Share information regarding the Department's procurement policies and procedures;
- Promote the use of HUBs in day-to-day procurement opportunities;
- Facilitate meetings between HUBs and appropriate program, procurement and HUB staff;
- Assist in fostering relationships between prime contractors and HUBs through the Mentor Protégé Program; and
- Ensure that prime contractors make a good faith effort to provide subcontracting opportunities to HUBs.
What is a HUB?
A HUB is defined as a business formed for the purpose of making a profit in which at least 51 percent of the business is owned, operated, and controlled by one or more:
- Black Americans – includes all persons having origins of Black racial groups of Africa;
- Hispanic Americans – includes all person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South America, or other Spanish/Portuguese culture or origin, regardless of race;
- Asian Pacific Americans – includes persons whose origins are from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Territories of the Pacific, or the Northern Marianas; and Subcontinent Asian Americans which includes persons who origins are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, or Nepal;
- Native Americans – includes persons who are American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, or Native Hawaiians; and
- American Women – includes women of any ethnicity, except those specified above;
who are economically disadvantaged and who have been historically underutilized because of their identification as members of these groups. Eligible entities must have their principal place of business and 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.
HUB Participation and Goals
The Texas Legislature requires all state agencies to make a good faith effort to assure that HUBs receive a portion of its contract dollars. During the state fiscal year, which starts on September 1st and ends on August 31st, DSHS is expected to strive to meet and hopefully exceed the following HUB goals:
- 11.2% – Construction
- 21.1% – Building Construction
- 32.7% – Special Trades
- 23.6% – Professional Services
- 24.6% – Other Services
- 21.0% – Commodities
In pursuit of these goals, DSHS is committed to increasing opportunities for HUBs. Qualifying minority and women owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply to be certified as a HUB through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
HUB CERTIFICATION
In order to becomea Texas HUB-certified vendor, a business owner must complete a HUB Certification Application and submit it to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. HUB certification remains effective for four years and is free of charge. Certified HUBs are included in the HUB directory that is maintained by the Comptroller which is accessed daily by state agencies searching for certified HUBs. Certification does not guarantee the award of contracts to HUB businesses, but it does increase their visibility within the state contract/procurement process.
Information regarding the HUB program and HUB certification are available at these links or contact the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts by phone at (512) 463-5872 or toll free at (888) 863-5881.
Mentor Protégé Program
DSHS has established a Mentor Protégé Program to assist in fostering long-term relationships between prime contractors and HUBs. We also hope to increase the ability of HUBs to contract with the state or to receive subcontracts under a state contract, and to provide professional guidance and support to protégé businesses to facilitate their development and growth. The program was developed in accordance with Texas Government Code §2161.065 and Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Part 5, of Subchapter B.
The Mentor Protégé Program website provides more information about the program. If you are interested in participating in this program as either a Mentor or a Protégé, please contact the DSHS HUB Coordinator to request an application or follow the hyperlink to the electronic forms. Please note that in the development of a potential relationship, participation in the DSHS Mentor Protégé Program is neither a guarantee for a contract opportunity nor a promise of business. The Mentor Protégé Program is an ongoing initiative of DSHS and applications will be considered on a regular basis.
DSHS HUB Program Contact
For more information regarding the DSHS HUB Program, call or write:
HUB Program Coordinator
Department of State Health Services
1100 W.49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3199
Phone: (512) 776-7394
Fax: (512) 776-7597
E-mail: HUB-Contact.