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Handbook of Operating Procedures
Chapter 9 - General Provisions
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
Policy Reviewed Date: January 9, 2023
Policy Owner: VP for Business Affairs

 

9.26 Historically Underutilized Business Program


I. POLICY STATEMENT


It is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to promote full and equal opportunity for all businesses to supply the goods and services needed to support the mission, administrative, and logistical operations of the University. UTSA commits to a good faith effort to increase purchases from and contract awards to Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) firms consistent with the state of Texas’ goals for HUB participation and overall economic development.    


II. RATIONALE


This policy provides requirements and guidelines for implementing and maintaining the UTSA HUB Program. UTSA has a compelling interest in assuring that procurement funds are expended in an equal-business-opportunity context. To meet that obligation, UTSA administrators will establish and maintain procurement systems and procedures that are nondiscriminatory with respect to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and encourage participation by Historically Underutilized Businesses.


III. SCOPE


All UTSA employees who make purchases using University funds or influences such purchases should be aware of the program. 


IV. WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR THIS POLICY


http://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter9/9-26.html


V. RELATED STATUTES, POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS OR STANDARDS


UTSA or UT System Policies or the Board of Regents' Rules & Regulations

  1. Board of Regents' Rule 20701, Use of Historically Underutilized Businesses
  2. UT System policy UTS137, Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program

Other Policies & Standards

  1. Texas Government Code: Chapter 2155
  2. Texas Government Code: Chapter 2161
  3. Texas Government Code: Chapter 481
  4. Texas Government Code: § 321.013
  5. Texas Government Code: § 2101.011
  6. Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 1 Chapter 20 Sub Chapter B §§20.11 – 20.28
  7. Civil Practice and Remedies Code: § 106.001
  8. Texas Education Code: § 51.9335
  9. Texas Education Code: § 55.03

VI. CONTACTS


If you have any questions about HOP policy 9.26, Historically Underutilized Business Program, please contact the following offices:

Purchasing & Distribution Services Department
Historically Underutilized Business Program
210-458-4068
http://www.utsa.edu/hub/index.cfm

Purchasing & Distribution Services Department
Contracts
210-458-4060

Associate Vice President for Administration
210-458-6551


VII. DEFINITIONS


Historically Underutilized Business or HUB: A business enterprise residing in the state of Texas and certified by the Texas Comptroller’s Procurement and Support Services Division (TPASS) as minority or women-owned  (reference TPASS HUB certification application).


VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES


  1. UTSA
    1. Makes good faith efforts to meet or exceed annual goals for HUB participation in purchases of and contracts for commodities and services.
  2. UTSA President
    1. Responsible for implementation of the institutional HUB program and development of the institutional strategic and action plans necessary for effective implementation of the HUB Program.
  3. All University employees who make purchases using UTSA funds or influence such purchases must be:
    1. Aware of the program and participation in UTSA’s good faith effort to provide opportunities for HUB participation.
  4. UTSA Administration
    1. Provides resources necessary and sufficient for effective implementation of HUB program functions and establishment of the HUB Staff Coordinating Group.
    2. Designates a staff member to serve as the HUB Manager. 
    3. Meets reporting requirements.
  5. Director, Purchasing and Distribution Services
    1. Responsible for HUB program oversight and accountability.
  6. HUB Program Manager
    1. Responsible for the accountability for directing, supporting, and promoting the HUB program, which includes:
      1. Establishing a marketing and outreach program.
      2. Establishing and maintaining an in-reach program.
      3. Participating in economic opportunity forums. Informing the HUB vendor community of the benefits of registration on the Centralized Master Bidders List.
      4. Recommending institutional strategic and action plans necessary for effective implementation of the HUB Program.
      5. Developing and maintaining internal and external HUB utilization reporting systems.
      6. Designing a program in which HUBs are invited to deliver technical and business presentations.
      7. Implementing a mentor-protégé program to foster long-term relationships between prime contractors and HUBs.
      8. Recommending procedures for agency program operations.
  7. Vice President for Business Affairs or delegate
    1. Chairs the HUB Staff Coordinating Group.
    2. Oversees HUB Program.
  8. HUB Staff Coordinating Group members
    1. Attend meetings and provide input and recommendations to the HUB Program Manager intended to continuously improve the program and enhance awareness of the program.

IX. PROCEDURES


UTSA will provide resources (financial, human, and equipment) necessary and sufficient for effective implementation of HUB program functions.

UTSA will provide in-reach programs designed to encourage departmental administrators to utilize HUB vendors when procuring goods and services for small purchases below UTSA’s competitive purchasing limit and within their departmental authority. 

UTSA will use reasonable efforts to ensure its competitive procurement specifications and terms and conditions reflect an agency’s actual requirements, are clearly stated, and do not impose unreasonable or unnecessary contract requirements. UTSA will distribute procurement information and solicit bids for competitive procurements in a manner that encourages participation in UTSA contracts by all businesses.

UTSA will maintain a HUB Staff Coordinating Group and provide organizational structure, in-reach and outreach efforts, training, reporting, and support programs necessary to comply with applicable laws and UT System policies related to the HUB program, including UT System Policy UTS137.

UTSA contracts will include provisions, as appropriate, prohibiting discrimination in order to preclude UTSA’s passive participation in an unlawfully discriminatory marketplace.  


X. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION


None


XI. FORMS AND TOOLS/ONLINE PROCESSES


The UTSA HUB Program Brochure: Doing Business with UTSA provides guidance as to how procurement activities include HUB vendors
http://utsa.edu/hub/forms/HUB%20Brochure%202010.pdf

Statewide Centralized Master Bidders List to identify HUB vendors
http://www.window.state.tx.us/procurement//cmbl/cmblhub.html

Policy on Utilization of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs)
http://www.utsystem.edu/HUB/hubforms.html


XII. APPENDIX


None