TAMIU Ranks in State's Top 25 for Hub Participation

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and seven other members of The Texas A&M University System were among the top 25 agencies statewide for buying goods and services provided by companies certified as Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) in fiscal year 2005, according to the Texas Procurement and Building Commission.

While full rankings have not been established, according to semi-annual reports, TAMIU had 62.1% in HUB expenditures, or $1,164,591.

In 2004, TAMIU ranked fourth with 37.19%, or $1,382,825 of expenditures awarded to HUBS. In 2003, TAMIU ranked 10th with 25.72% or $1,382,825 in HUB expenditures.

"We are justly proud of our important efforts in this commitment, and our continued improvement," said Dr. Ray Keck, TAMIU president, "It represents the hard work of our Purchasing Department which directs an excellent and diverse procurement program at the University."

Laura Rea, the University's director of purchasing, said the University will continue to work to enhance HUB utilization and participation.

"The University is committed to providing procurement opportunities for all businesses and increase the access to HUBs. The University has worked hard to achieve this participation level. It is our goal to create an environment to enhance HUB utilization and participation. The HUB Program's goal at TAMIU is to promote full and equal access to small minority and woman-owned business seeking procurement and subcontracting opportunities," she said.

  This is the third consecutive semi-annual reporting period in which the A&M System has increased its minority and women-owned business participation, spending more than $51 million out of a total of more than $252 million, or 20.56 percent, for goods and services through the HUB program.

The Texas Building and Procurement Commission's Fiscal Year 2005 Semi-Annual HUB Report shows the A&M System 60 percent above the 12.8 percent average for all state agencies. Other A&M System universities that are included in the ranking are Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Kingsvillle, West Texas A&M University, one service agency-Texas Engineering Extension Service, and the A&M System Health Science Center are listed in the top 25 agencies spending more than $5 million with the largest percentage spent with HUBs.

"We are extremely pleased with the HUB performance shown by our universities, service agencies, and Health Science Center, all of which are in double digits for the first time in the history of the HUB Program, with 14 recording performances above 20 percent," said Jim Fletcher, vice chancellor for administration. "Not only does the A&M System continue to move forward in overall HUB performance, but there has also been significant progress in expanding the diversity of our HUB participation to more faithfully reflect the face of Texas."

"The A&M System continues to work very hard to achieve a diverse procurement program," Fletcher said. "Our results demonstrate the commitment of the Board of Regents, Chancellor Bob McTeer, and each of our member institution CEOs to expanding equal access and equal opportunity for all business while recognizing our responsibilities to the citizens of our state."

With an annual budget of $2.3 billion, The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most complex systems of higher education in the nation. Through a statewide network of nine universities, seven state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the A&M System educates nearly 100,000 students, conducts more than $500 million in research and reaches another 11 million people through service each year.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu