Contracting opportunities abundant for small, minority firms in Texas!
by Mary Scott Nabers
CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
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The State Comptroller's Office, which manages the state's HUB program, reports a 25 percent increase - more than 2,000 new businesses - in new HUB certifications during the past year. In Fiscal Year 2008, the state awarded more than $1.85 billion in contracts to certified HUBs.
Prime contractors use the state's directory of certified HUB businesses to identify subcontracting partners. Many agencies, cities and counties provide services, guidance and hands-on assistance to small and minority contractors. There are mentoring programs and service centers at most of the state's larger agencies, cities and counties.
In Texas, state agencies are mandated to evaluate every new procurement that exceeds $100,000 to determine if subcontracting opportunities are practical. If so, bidders must include in their bids what portion of the work will be allocated for subcontractors. Then, the agency is asked to ensure that prime contractors follow through on their commitments to hand off the work to subcontracting partners.
This year, state government expects to spend at least 14 percent of its contracting budget with underutilized businesses. Its goal, however, is to spend 26.1 percent. If that happens, it will be a huge increase in the amount of funding flowing to small firms.
With federal stimulus funding flowing to Texas, the Texas marketplace is one of the most attractive public sector marketplaces in the country. Small businesses should be lining up for an abundance of contracting opportunities.
