Business and Finance Division

Business Opportunity & VetHUB Program

The mission of the Business Opportunity & VetHUB Program for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is to promote and increase business opportunities for all businesses in state procurement and contracting. The Veteran Heroes United in Business (VetHUB) program will be administered for the growth and development and increase VetHUB contracts and subcontracts with the State of Texas.

Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program administers the HUB program in accordance with Texas Government Code §2161 and Texas Administrative Code, Title 34, Chapter 20, Subchapter D, Division 1, Sections §20.281 to §20.298.

Effective December 2, 2025, the state’s Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program was restructured under the emergency rules adopted by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The HUB Program will now operate as “Veterans Heroes United in Business (VetHUB)”, a program focused exclusively on small businesses owned and operated by service-disabled veterans.

Eligibility to Become a Certified VetHUB:

The business entity must be a for-profit entity that has not exceeded the size standards prescribed by 34 TAC §20.294, and has its principal place of business in Texas. It must be at least 51% owned, operated, actively controlled, and managed by a service-disabled veteran with a service-related disability of 20% or greater.

How to Become a Certified VetHUB:

Registration for VetHUB certification is online, free of charge, and valid for four years. Apply for VetHUB certification on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website.

The TDCJ Business Opportunity & VetHUB Program welcomes your call and is available to assist you.

TDCJ Goals for VetHUB Participation:

• 3.00% - Heavy Construction Other than Building Contracts (Road and Highway Construction and Maintenance)
• 3.00% - Building Construction
• 3.00% - Special Trades (Includes Building Renovation and Maintenance and Landscape Construction)
• 3.00% - Professional Services Contracts (Architects, Engineers, Accounting and Financial Services, and Medical Services)
• 3.00% - Other Services (includes Legal Services, Maintenance, Repair, Veterinary, Cleaning, Printing, Delivery, Waste Disposal, Communications, and many others)
• 3.00% - Commodity purchasing

The TDCJ is committed to and involved in good faith efforts to meet and exceed the above goals.

Importance of Being on Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL):

The CMBL is a master database used by the state of Texas purchasing entities to develop a mailing list for vendors to receive bids based on the products or services they provide. There is an annual $70 registration fee to be on the CMBL. Businesses are encouraged to go to Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) on the CMBL.

Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD)

The Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) is a website where state agencies post bid opportunities valued at $25,000 or more. Vendors can view the newest postings for all state agencies, the solicitations of a particular state agency, or search by type of contract requested.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Agency/Texas SmartBuy Member No. is: 696.

Electronic State Business Daily Search

Forms

• HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) (PDF)
• Prime Contractor Progress Assessment Report (PAR) (PDF)

Vendor Resources

• HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) Completion Procedures:
  HUB HSP Completion Procedures (PDF)

• Video Links:
  HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) Method A
  HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) Method B
  HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP) Self Performing Webinar

Events  ***NEW***

• 2025 TDCJ/SHSU HUB and Small Business Expo
• Construction Vendor Meet and Greet, January 29, 2025 (Photos)
• HVAC Vendor Meet and Greet, November 6, 2024 (Photos)
• 2024 HUB/Small Business Vendor Trade Show & HVAC Presentation, May 9, 2024 (Photos)

(The TDCJ highly recommends that businesses submitting the VetHUB application also apply to be on the CMBL. The agency uses the CMBL to develop mailing lists of vendors when sending out bids. Being on both lists makes it readily apparent to purchasers or contracting officers, when searching the CMBL, of the bidder's VetHUB status.)

If you are interested in contracting with or selling your products to the TDCJ, contact the following Business Opportunity & VetHUB Program personnel:

Contact Information:

Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Business & Finance Division
Business Opportunity & VetHUB Program
Two Financial Plaza, #770
Huntsville, TX 77340

Director
Phone: (936) 437-3774
Fax: (936) 437-3778

Coordinators
Phone: (936) 437-3775, (936) 437-3776, and (936) 437-3777
Fax: (936) 437-3778