(a) In accordance with §20.281 of this title (relating to Policy and Purpose) and Government Code, §2161.181 and §2161.182, each state agency shall make a good faith effort to utilize HUBs in contracts for construction, services (including professional and consulting services) and commodities purchases. Each state agency may achieve the statewide and the annual HUB utilization goals specified in the state agency's Legislative Appropriations Request by contracting directly with HUBs or indirectly through subcontracting opportunities.
(b) The statewide HUB utilization goals are:
  (1) 11.2% for heavy construction other than building contracts;
  (2) 21.1% for all building construction, including general contractors and operative builders contracts;
  (3) 32.9% for all special trade construction contracts;
  (4) 23.7% for professional services contracts;
  (5) 26.0% for all other services contracts; and
  (6) 21.1% for commodities contracts.
(c) State agencies shall establish HUB utilization goals for each procurement category identified in subsection (b) of this section. Agencies may set their HUB utilization goals higher or lower than the statewide utilization goals. However, the statewide HUB utilization goals shall be the starting point for establishing state agency-specific goals. State agency-specific HUB utilization goals shall be based on:
  (1) a state agency's fiscal year expenditures and total contract expenditures;
  (2) the availability to a state agency of HUBs in each procurement category;
  (3) the state agency's historic utilization of HUBs; and
  (4) other relevant factors.
(d) Each state agency shall make a good faith effort to assist HUBs in receiving a portion of the total value of all contracts that the state agency expects to award in a fiscal year. Factors in determining a state agency's good faith shall include:
  (1) the state agency's performance in meeting or exceeding their HUB utilization goals or the statewide HUB utilization goals as they included as part of their legislative appropriations request in accordance with Government Code, §2161.127; and
  (2) the state agency's adoption and implementation of the following procedures:
    (A) prepare and distribute information on procurement procedures in a manner that encourages participation in state contracts by all businesses;
    (B) divide proposed requisitions into reasonable lots in keeping with industry standards and competitive bid requirements;
    (C) where feasible, assess bond and insurance requirements and design requirements that reasonably permit more than one business to perform the work;
    (D) specify reasonable, realistic delivery schedules consistent with a state agency's actual requirements;
    (E) ensure that specifications, terms, and conditions reflect a state agency's actual requirements, are clearly stated, and do not impose unreasonable or unnecessary contract requirements;
    (F) provide potential bidders with referenced list of certified HUBs for subcontracting;
    (G) develop and apply a written methodology to determine whether their HUB utilization goals are appropriate under the Disparity Study, or whether the statewide HUB utilization goals from the Disparity Study are appropriate for the state agency, and taking into account the provisions of Government Code, §2161.002(d);
    (H) identify potential subcontracting opportunities in all contracts and require a HUB subcontracting plan for contracts of $100,000 or more over the life of the contract (including any renewals), where such opportunities exist, in accordance with Government Code, §2161.251;
    (I) seek HUB subcontracting in contracts that are less than $100,000 whenever possible;
    (J) provide, at a state agency's option, courtesy reviews of respondents' HUB subcontracting plans required to be submitted with responses pursuant to Government Code, §2161.252; and
    (K) provide, at a state agency's option, HUB-subcontracting-plan-compliance training to potential respondents during pre-bid, pre-offer, and pre-proposal conferences, or at agency HUB forums.
(e) A state agency may also demonstrate good faith under this section by submitting a supplemental letter with documentation to the comptroller with their HUB report or legislative appropriations request including other relevant information, such as:
  (1) identifying the percentage of contracts (prime and subcontracts) awarded to businesses that are not HUBs, but that are owned by economically disadvantaged persons as defined in Government Code, §2161.001;
  (2) demonstrating that a different goal from that identified in subsection (b) of this section was appropriate given the state agency's types of purchases;
  (3) demonstrating that a different goal was appropriate given the particular qualifications required by a state agency for its contracts;
  (4) demonstrating that a different goal was appropriate given that graduated HUBs cannot be counted toward the goal; or
  (5) demonstrating assistance to business entities in obtaining HUB certification.

Source Note: The provisions of this §20.284 adopted to be effective January 24, 2017, 42 TexReg 235; amended to be effective August 9, 2023, 48 TexReg 4268