TWC Purchasing and HUB Program Rules and Legislation

Information Systems Purchasing

State agencies are required to purchase all goods and services exceeding $250.00, and coded as catalog information systems (NIGP class codes 204 - 209 and 920) from contracts established by DIR. If the agency determines that brand, terms and conditions, service level agreements, or other contract conditions do not meet agency needs, the agency must submit a formal waiver request to DIR, which has 30 days in which to approve or deny the request. The agency must report quarterly to DIR all such purchases made, regardless of dollar amount. If no DIR contract exists, or TWC receives an exemption to make the purchase, or a blanket exemption already exists for the needed goods or services, the agency must follow Request for Offer (RFO) purchase method or existing purchasing methods to complete the purchase of any information systems items.

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Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL)

State purchasers must choose vendors from the Central Master Bidders List (CMBL) for purchases over $5,000. Therefore, TWC encourages businesses to register on the CMBL to receive Invitation for Bids (IFBs) and have their commodities/services listed by class-item codes. The fee to register on the CMBL is $100 for two years. Send CMBL applications and fees to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas Procurement and Support Services Department, P.O. Box 13186, Austin, Texas 78711-3047; call 512-463-3409. You can search the CMBL by all vendors, CMBL only, or HUBs on the CMBL (http://www.cpa.state.tx.us/procurement/prog/cmbl/).

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Consultant Services

State agencies must post bids for professional and consulting services exceeding $15,000 to the Texas Register, a semi-weekly publication of the Secretary of State's Office. This links to the index of the lastest edition. You can scroll to find current state agency postings for professional and consulting services. The Texas Register is available by subscription. You can find copies at most county clerk's offices and municipal and university libraries. For information, contact the Texas Register.

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NIGP Commodity Codes

Agencies use NIGP commodity codes to search for potential bidders on the CMBL. By cross-referencing codes with the CMBL, vendors can review other vendors' listings and can ensure the codes properly identify their own commodities and services. This links to an alphabetical commodities listing that provides item descriptions, item numbers and class numbers. (http://www.cpa.state.tx.us/procurement/tools/comm-book/)

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View State Expenditures

To view expenditures by all state agencies, go to Where the Money Goes at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

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HUB Reporting

The reporting process is a critical element of the state HUB Program. CPA prepares reports of HUB activity twice each year, in September and March. These reports identify total expenditures for all agencies and the amount and percentage of HUB participation for each agency. State agencies are able to supplement this with subcontracting information.

A vendor must be certified during the reporting period to be included in the final agency spending report.

TBPC Hub Reports

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Legislative Authority

Senate Bill 178 requires state agencies to make a good faith effort to meet HUB goals for all purchases.

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