04.01.08 – Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs)
Section: Procurement
Area: Procurement - General
I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this MAPP is to establish guidelines for the use of historically underutilized businesses where applicable in procurement activities at the University, in accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 2161, Board of Regents Policy 55.04, Texas Administrative Code § 20.282, and System Administrative Memorandum (SAM) 03.B.02 - Contracting with Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). This MAPP applies to all purchases and procurement of goods and services for the University of Houston.
II. POLICY STATEMENT
The University of Houston supports and encourages HUBs. The University adopts this document to comply fully with the applicable law. The University of Houston pledges to:
A. Reaffirm the University’s commitment to the principles of equal opportunity for all businesses and affirmatively increase the participation of HUBs in the University’s procurement process;
B. Encourage participation in procurement from HUBs;
C. Foster further expansion and development of HUBs;
D. Actively assist HUBs in Texas, particularly in the areas served by this University, in becoming familiar with the procurement process of the State of Texas and the University of Houston;
E. Support growth and new business opportunities in the areas served by the University, thereby promoting the HUB vendors of the state;
F. Expand the number of suppliers and contractors seeking to provide goods and services to the University, thereby encouraging competition, with the ultimate goal of improving quality and economy of goods and services purchased by the University;
G. Support and encourage the improvement of business conditions encountered by HUBs; and
H. Heighten awareness throughout the University and the communities served by the University of the capabilities and needs of HUBs that can provide goods and services for the University.
III. DEFINITIONS
A. Historically Underutilized Business (HUB): For the purposes of this MAPP, a historically underutilized business is a
1. for-profit corporation, for-profit sole proprietorship, for-profit partnership, HUB joint venture, or supplier contract between a HUB and a prime contractor, with its principal place of business in Texas,
2. in which at least 51 percent is owned by a service-disabled veteran, and
3. that is certified by the Texas Comptroller’s Office as a business enterprise meeting the above criteria.
IV. GOALS
The University of Houston recognizes the State’s goals of placing qualified percentages of total contracts with HUBs.
The University will make a good faith effort to give HUB vendors an opportunity to compete for all contracts and purchases.
A. The University will seek to identify and advise HUB eligible vendors of the State’s certification process.
B. The University will establish educational training for personnel making procurement decisions to ensure compliance with stated objectives.
C. The University will establish a Mentor-Protégé Program to foster relationships between prime contractors and HUBs. The objective is to provide professional guidance and support to the protégé (HUB) in order to facilitate their growth and development to promote increased HUB participation in University procurements.
D. The University will conduct forums and fairs in which HUB vendors may present their products and technical and business presentations to the University community.
E. The University will maintain and compile monthly information relating to HUB usage.
F. The University will prepare as part of its strategic plan under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2056 a written plan for increasing the agency’s use of HUBs.
G. The University will notify trade organizations of procurement opportunities to target HUBs.
H. The following contracts are subject to the review of HUB subcontracting probabilities:
• Contracts for projects paid with non-federal funds with an expected value of $100,000
or more
• Contracts over $150,000 for projects paid with federal funds only, including goods,
services, and public construction
The above contract amounts reflect values over the life of the contracts, including any renewals and amendments.
If the University determines subcontracting is probable in accordance with Texas Administrative Code, Title 34, Part 1, Chapter 20, Subchapter D, Division 1, Rule 20.285, then a HUB subcontracting plan is required.
V. PROGRAM
A. Bidding Requirements: See the UH Purchasing Guidelines for UH bidding requirements.
B. All proposed requisitions will be purchased in reasonable lots in keeping with industry standards and competitive bid requirements. Specifications, terms, and conditions will be written clearly and will state only reasonable and necessary contract requirements, which reflect the University’s actual requirements. In addition, only reasonable, realistic, or required delivery schedules will be specified.
C. The University HUB Operations Department will host annual events at which local area vendors will be invited to participate. Vendors will be instructed regarding how to do business with the University. The HUB certification process will be explained and the application form and other related information will be distributed to all HUB eligible vendors.
D. Bond and insurance requirements for service and construction contracts will be designed in such a way as to reasonably permit more than one business to perform the work.
E. All contractors will be required to comply with Title 34, Part 1, Chapter 20, Subchapter D, Division 1, Rule 20.285 of the Texas Administrative Code, regarding subcontracting and HUB good faith effort requirements. Accordingly, the University will provide contractors with information on how to find HUB subcontractors.
F. The University Purchasing Department utilizes the HUB directory provided by the Texas Comptroller’s Office on-line in selecting potential suppliers and subcontractors for commodities, services, and construction contracts.
G. Every effort should be made to utilize a HUB vendor for purchases that do not require competition. The HUB database is available for UH employees via AccessUH.
VI. REFERENCES
Texas Government Code, Chapter 2161
Issued: 06/27/2001
Last Reviewed/Revised: 01/16/2026
Responsible Office(s): Finance