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Posted: 12/09/10

TAMIU Tops in State for HUB Utilization

 

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Texas A&M International University was ranked the top state institution with 64.28 percent of its total fiscal year 2010 eligible expenditures, more than $5 million a year, spent with Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs), according to the Fiscal 2010 Annual Report for the Statewide Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program issued by the state comptroller’s office.

Nine fellow members of The Texas A&M University System were among the top 25 Texas agencies for purchasing goods and services from companies certified as HUB. The HUB program is part of the Texas Procurement and Support Services Division of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. HUB programs are primarily oriented toward minority and women-owned businesses.

The A&M System spent $267 million, or 29.52 percent, on construction, commodities, products, and professional services with HUB businesses, up from 25.9 percent in FY 2009. The A&M System’s HUB numbers were higher than the state average of 15.9 percent, and institutions of higher education’s average of 19.27 percent.

“We have made a strong commitment to increasing our HUB purchases across the system for several years. This tremendous effort of our members is another example of how the A&M System is serving the state of Texas and its taxpayers,” said Michael D. McKinney, chancellor of the A&M System. “Helping owners of HUB businesses level the playing field is simply the right thing to do.”

Dr. Ray Keck, TAMIU president, said the TAMIU ranking reflects both dedication and determination.

"Our commitment and our continued improvement, is institution-wide," said Dr. Keck, "It represents the dedication and hard work of our Purchasing Department which manages an excellent and diverse procurement program here."

Juan J. Castillo, the University's vice president for finance and administration, said the University would continue to work to enhance HUB utilization and participation.

"TAMIU is completely committed to providing procurement opportunities for all businesses and to increasing access to HUBs. We’ve worked hard to achieve this participation level. Our primary goal is to create an environment that enhances HUB utilization and participation. We want to aggressively promote full and equal access to small, minority and woman-owned business seeking procurement and subcontracting opportunities here," he said.

The nine A&M System members and their rankings, by percentage of expenditures awarded to HUB vendors, are:

#1 Texas A&M International University, 64.28%
#4 West Texas A&M University, 51.79%
#8 Texas Transportation Institute, 38.56%
#10 Prairie View A&M University, 38.22%
#11 Tarleton State University, 37.56%
#14 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 34.83%
#16 Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 34.65%
#19 System Offices, 31.32%
#25 Texas A&M University-Commerce, 27.36%

The Fiscal Year 2010 Annual HUB Report can be found online at http://www.window.state.tx.us/procurement/prog/hub/hub-reporting/hub-report-FY10

For additional information on TAMIU's HUB program, contact Laura Rea, director of Purchasing, at 956-326-2350, visit offices located in Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library room 335, or click on http://www.tamiu.edu/adminis//purchasing/


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