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Procurement Department

TSBVI Procurement Department is the division of the agency that is responsible for acquiring the goods and services the campus requires to operate.

Welcome to the Procurement Office at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Procurement Department’s primary focus and responsibility is to facilitate the most cost-effective acquisition of goods, professional and non-professional services, maintenance, and repair services to support our agency’s educational Mission and Goals.

We strive to maintain an efficient operation while still following the requirements of state and federal laws, regulations, and TSBVI policies and procedures. It is our goal to serve TSBVI in the most responsive manner possible.

We actively participate in the HUB/Mentor Protégé Program through the State of Texas and proudly mentor an up-and-coming HUB company.

To have access to all TSBVI bid and contract opportunities, Vendors can register online at the Vendor Resources page of the Texas Comptroller’s office.

Contact Information:
Cyrenna B. Villegas
Director of Procurement
Phone: (512) 206-9205
Email: [email protected]

Bid Opportunities/Solicitations

Visit the Bid Opportunities/Solicitations to learn about current bid opportunities or solicitations.

SB 20 Reporting

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI), a Texas state agency, receives less than the stated General Appropriations Act aggregate amount for a state fiscal biennium that requires the posting of:

  • (1) an analysis of all agency expenditures during the two preceding state fiscal years that lists each county in the state and states for each county the amount of agency expenditures made in or for the benefit of the county;
  • (4) a listing and description of all contracts with vendors that have a value exceeding $100,000 that the agency has entered into and that are currently being performed or for which performance has not yet begun;

Texas Government Code 2054.126 (d), (1), (4)

Archived FY16-20 Reporting 11/6/20

Contract Management Guide

Reference current content SB 20 Reporting.

Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Information

The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program was created to promote full and equal procurement opportunities for small, minority- and women-owned businesses. Companies interested in doing business with the state are encouraged to become HUB certified.

This is accomplished by completing an application and submitting it to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA). Once approved, the company is considered “certified” and agencies using them on contracts receive credit toward meeting established HUB goals. The HUB Program is a state-level program required by law and managed by the CPA.

Rules and Regulations

Texas School For the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) Hub Program

The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Program policy is committed to assisting and promoting all HUB vendors, including Service Disabled Veterans (SDVs), with procurement opportunities.

Mentor Protégé Program

In accordance with Texas Government Code §2161.065 and 34 TAC Rule §20.298, the purpose of the Mentor Protégé Program is to assist in fostering long-term relationships between Prime Contractors and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). The program’s ultimate goal is to provide developmental assistance to HUBs that will potentially increase their ability to contract directly with the State and/or obtain subcontracting opportunities under a state contract.

A Historically Underutilized Business Program (HUB) is a business in which at least 51 percent of the business is owned, operated and controlled by one or more minority groups (American Women, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, or Native Americans or Service Disabled Veterans) who are economically disadvantaged and who have been historically underutilized because of their identification as members of these groups. Additional eligibility requirements.

  • HUB certification is free of charge and good for up to four years, provided that the business continues to meet the eligibility requirements.
  • Only certified HUBs are listed in the online Texas 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 contracts.
  • For purchases of $5,000 or less, state entities can directly contact a business to buy goods and services.
  • The Texas HUB Directory lists certified HUBs. HUB Subcontracting Plans include contracts of $100,000 or more.
  • Increased exposure to the general public as well as other entities that have a supplier diversity program, and are searching for minority-owned, woman-owned and service disabled veteran-owned businesses.
  • Per TAC Rule §20.284, 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.

TSBVI has adopted the Statewide HUB Program rules as its own. TSBVI is committed to promoting full and equal business opportunities for all businesses in state contracting in accordance with the goals specified in the State of Texas Disparity Study:

  • 11.2% Heavy Construction
  • 21.1% Building Construction, including general contractor
  • 32.9% Special Trade Construction
  • 23.7% Professional Services contracts
  • 26.0% Other Services contracts
  • 21.1% Commodities contracts

TSBVI and its contractors shall make a good faith effort to meet or exceed these goals and assist HUBs in receiving a portion of the total contract value of all contracts that TSBVI expects to award in a fiscal year.

Steps for working with the TSBVI:

  • TSBVI must follow this procurement method first; before their delegated purchasing authority.
  • Get familiar with Statewide Contracts.
  • Schedule a meeting with the TSBVI’s Procurement Office, Director of Procurement at 512.206.9205 or email [email protected], to identify areas of interest and provide a brief HUB Capability Statement about your company offerings to TSBVI.
  • Know your Customers.
  • What is your customer purchasing?
  • Register on the CMBL and HUB (if applicable).
  • Market your business with current qualifications, website, business cards, brochures, etc.
  • Be responsible and responsive on time for customer’s requests.
  • Get involved in Small, Minority and Women Business Trade Organizations and Development Centers and TASSCC
  • Network, Network and Network!

TSBVI entering into a contract with an expected value of $100,000 or more shall, before soliciting bids, proposals, offers, or other applicable expressions of interest, determine whether subcontracting opportunities are probable under the contract.

If subcontracting opportunities are probable, TSBVI’s invitation for bids or other purchase solicitation documents for construction, professional services, other services, and commodities with an expected value of $100,000 or more shall state that probability and require a HUB Subcontracting Plan (HSP).

The Statewide HUB Program documents expenditures made by state agencies and institutions of higher education annually and semi-annually in its HUB Report. These reports can enable vendors to:

  • Determine if their business participation can help agencies meet or exceed agency-set HUB goals
  • See where agencies purchase their products and services, both by geographic area and type of business, and
  • Contact agencies’ HUB coordinators or purchasing departments, both to introduce their businesses and to learn more about each agency’s procurement process.
  • For more information visit the HUB Reporting page on the Texas Comptroller’s website.
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