| Getting Started with the State of Texas Government Contracting |
| Registering as a Texas Vendor |
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Doing Business with the State of Texas
Texas Procurement and Support Services (TPASS) awards and manages hundreds of statewide contracts on behalf of more than 200 state agencies and 1,800 cooperative purchasing members.
With a massive marketplace and billions of dollars in purchasing power, Texas offers abundant opportunities for vendors of a wide variety of goods and services,
including minority and women-owned businesses. Even though it is not required to be a registered Texas Vendor to participate in purchasing activities of Texas agencies, it is recommended.
There are two programs that manufacturers, suppliers, and other vendors wishing to furnish materials, equipment, supplies, and services to the state should apply for:
Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) Program
The CMBL is a master database used by State of Texas purchasing entities to develop a mailing list for vendors to receive bids based on the products or services they can provide to the State of Texas. Registration on the CMBL provides businesses with the visibility to market their
products and services to state agencies and institutions of higher education.
CMBL registration is available online or you may print an application and submit it with the $70.00 annual registration fee.
Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program
The Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Texas, which includes certifying minority and women owned businesses as HUBs. The HUB Program is designed to facilitate the participation of minority and women owned businesses in state agency procurement opportunities. All state agencies in Texas, including universities, are required to make a good faith effort to include HUBs in their procurement opportunities. There is no cost to register as a Texas HUB.
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| Step 1 - Set up your MyCPA user Account |
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The MyCPA is a secure portal established to allow access to several programs managed by the Comptroller of Public Accounts. Besides being used for CMBL and HUB registration, it can be used for electronic reporting and payment of taxes to the Comptroller's office
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Besides being used for CMBL and HUB registration, it can be used for electronic reporting and payment of taxes to the Comptroller's office.
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Create your own unique user ID for the MyCPA Secure Login Portal (requires at least seven characters including numbers and case-sensitive letters) Enter your e-mail address.
https://mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/securitymp1portal/start.do
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| Step 2 - Create your MyCPA user profile |
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Profile will consist of:
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Name
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Telephone number
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Password
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Security question and answer (minimum 5 characters)
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| Step 3 - Before you begin CMBL and/or HUB application process |
| Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) |
Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program:
A "Historically Underutilized Business"
In accordance with Texas Administrative Code §111.13, each state agency shall make a good faith effort to utilize HUBs in contracts for construction, services (including professional and consulting services) and commodities purchases.
The Statewide HUB Program provides HUB certification for minority and woman-owned businesses in the State of Texas. Vendors seeking certification as a HUB are required to submit a completed HUB certification application and supporting documentation, affirming under penalty of perjury that their business qualifies as a HUB.
Benefits of HUB Certification
HUB certification is free of charge.
Certification is valid for 4 years, provided that business continues to meet the eligibility requirements.
Business is registered on the Comptroller’s Web-based HUB Directory. State agencies use the HUB Directory in conjunction with the Comptroller’s Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) to solicit bids from certified HUBs for state purchasing and public works contracts. Prime contractors also use the HUB Directory to identify HUBs to whom they will send notification of their subcontracting opportunities.
Increased exposure to the general public, as well as, other entities who have a supplier diversity program and are searching for minority and woman-owned businesses.
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| Texas Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) Program |
Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL)
Manufacturers, suppliers, and other vendors wishing to furnish materials, equipment, supplies, and services to the state should register for the CMBL to receive bidding opportunities.
The CMBL annual registration fee is $70.00 and may be paid on-line by credit/debit card or check debit (US addresses only) or via a printable application.
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The Texas Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) Program is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Texas. The CMBL is a master database used by State of Texas purchasing entities to develop a mailing list for vendors to receive bids based on the products or services they can provide to the State of Texas.
Manufacturers, suppliers, and other vendors wishing to furnish materials, equipment, supplies, and services to the state should register for the CMBL to receive bidding opportunities.
The CMBL annual registration fee is $70.00 and may be paid on-line by credit/debit card or check debit (US addresses only) or via a printable application.
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| Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Unified Certification Program Disadvantage Business Entity (DBE) |
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Unified Certification Program Disadvantage Business Entity (DBE) - The Texas Unified Certification Program is a certification process for the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Programs in Texas. A business' DBE certification is valid at any Texas entity that receives U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funds and has a DBE Program. Small businesses desiring DBE certification must submit an application to one of six certifying agencies within the state.
The business' location determines which agency to contact. Firms certified by each of the six agencies are included in one consolidated and centralized DBE Directory. The TUCP is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
More information can be found at:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/business/business_outreach/tucp.htm
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| State Contracting Helpful Hints - Hopefully |
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Unlike the Federal Government that has mandatory goals, the State of Texas has to only show that they made a good faith effort to meet their contracting goals. Therefore, most bids are won by being the best value versus being a HUB business.
If you have registered with the CMBL and are awarded a contract, make sure the agency completes the Vendor Performance Profile, if you delivered as required. Very few agencies complete this and if you have Exceptional ratings this could make a difference.
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