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Comptroller Gives a Lesson on HUB Program, Current Spending

The late April numbers include agency spending, commodity spending and various other insights into how the state works with historically underutilized businesses.

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During a procurement event this week in Irving, State Comptroller of Public Accountsrepresentatives walked attendees through becoming a HUB vendor with the state.

The state's goal is to increase HUB vendors by one percent year over year, and agency reps do regular outreach. Historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) are businesses that are 51 percent owned and controlled by an “economically disadvantaged person” including ethnic minorities, women and service-disabled veterans, according to the website.

The comptroller recently released the Fiscal Year 2023 Semi-Annual HUB Report, which has detailed information about how much business the state is doing with these companies, what purchases it's making and various other data.

One report features spending by object code, including:

  • The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (DCJ) spent a total of $660,139 on rental of computer equipment — code 7411 — including $7,107 in HUB spending.
  • The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) spent $1.7 million on data processing — code 7284 — with $5,836 in HUB spending.
  • The General Land Office (GLO) spent a total amount of $117,932 on personal property (computer equipment — capitalized) — code 7379 — with 100 percent in HUB spending.
The state spent a total of $1.7 billion with these businesses before April 27 in the following categories:

  • Heavy construction
  • Building construction
  • Special trade
  • Professional services
  • Other services
  • Commodity purchases

Opportunities to learn about the HUB program and how to participate are listed at the comptroller’s website. They include:

  • Texas Tech 2023 Small and HUB Business Expo in Lubbock, June 6
  • Golden Triangle Minority Business Council (GTMBC) Annual HUB Expo in Beaumont, June 15
Rae D. DeShong is a Dallas-based staff writer and has written for The Dallas Morning News and worked as a community college administrator.