Procurement Power Page
Welcome to the East End Chamber Procurement Power Page. This page will include procurement opportunities for small businesses with various organizations throughout the city and the process and requirements to do business with them.
If you would like to be listed here, please send an email to diana@eecoc.org
Link to City of Houston Strategic Purchasing: https://purchasing.houstontx.gov/bid_download.aspx
Become a Vendor: https://purchasing.houstontx.gov/guide.html#AA
The Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) is committed to cultivating a competitive and diverse economic environment in the City of Houston by promoting the success of small businesses and developing Houston’s workforce, with special emphasis on historically underutilized businesses and disenfranchised individuals. OBO performs several core functions to advance our mission. Our certification team is responsible for administering the City’s certification program, which serves to increase access for Minority, Women and Small Business Enterprises (MWSBE) to city contracting. In addition, this team administers the City’s local preference procurement program, Hire Houston First. Our contract compliance team enforces MWSBE goals on City contracts, in addition to ensuring employees are paid the required prevailing wages on construction contracts. We also have an external affairs team dedicated to providing business and workforce development initiatives and programming, as well as increasing community outreach. Finally, we maintain a close partnership with the Houston Airport System to ensure the inclusion of historically underutilized businesses on City and federally funded airport projects.
For more information contact: Porscha Jackson, PhD Porscha.Jackson@houstontx.gov
Link for procurement opportunities: https://purchasing.houstontx.gov/
Link for updates: http://houstontx.gov/obo/
Link for newsletters/communications: send email to obosc@houstontx.gov
Link to Get Certified: https://houstontx.gov/obo/certification_overview.html
Link for Procurement Opportunities:
https://harriscountytx.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities
Become a Vendor:
https://purchasing.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/Doing-Business-with-Harris-County.aspx
Houston Community College's service area is Houston Independent School District, Katy, Spring Branch, Alief Independent School Districts, Stafford Municipal District, and the Fort Bend portion of Missouri City. Houston Community College is an open-admission, public institution of higher education offering a high-quality, affordable education for academic advancement, workforce training, career development, and lifelong learning to prepare individuals in our diverse communities for life and work in a global and technological society.
Link for Small Business Development Program contact: hcc.sbdp@hccs.edu
Link for Procurement Opportunities: https://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/procurement/small-business-procurement/stay-in-touch/
Register as a Bidder: https://hccs.bonfirehub.com/login
Certifications HCC Accepts: https://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/procurement/small-business-procurement/hcc-recognized-sbe-certifications/
For more information contact: procurement.operations@hccs.edu
The mission of the HISD Purchasing Services Department is to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods and services needed to operate the district in an efficient and cost-effective manner to achieve its primary goal of increasing student achievement. Houston ISD uses a formal procurement process to be fair, transparent, and inclusive. Our goal is to select vendors that bring the best value to HISD, and those most qualified to help us achieve the District’s vision, goals, and objectives.
For more information contact: Alexis Licata Officer, Business Logistics & Purchasing tlicata@houstonisd.org | Enrique Kladis General Manager, Purchasing Juan.Kladis@houstonisd.org
Link for procurement opportunities: https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx
Link for newsletter: Building Programs / Bond Newsletter (houstonisd.org)
The mission of the HISD Purchasing Services Department is to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods and services needed to operate the district in an efficient and cost-effective manner to achieve its primary goal of increasing student achievement. Houston ISD uses a formal procurement process to be fair, transparent, and inclusive. Our goal is to select vendors that bring the best value to HISD, and those most qualified to help us achieve the District’s vision, goals, and objectives.
For more information contact: Alexis Licata Officer, Business Logistics & Purchasing tlicata@houstonisd.org | Enrique Kladis General Manager, Purchasing Juan.Kladis@houstonisd.org
Link for procurement opportunities: https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx
Link for newsletter: Building Programs / Bond Newsletter (houstonisd.org)
The Houston Housing Authority provides affordable homes and services to more than 60,000 low-income Houstonians, including over 17,000 families housed through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, 4,200 living in 19 public housing and tax credit developments, and an additional 716 in project-based voucher developments around the city.
The Agency does more than just provide safe, affordable homes. We also offer a host of programs to help public housing residents and voucher holders increase their education, live healthier lives and reach their economic goals. Whether through an HHA funded activity like the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) or our affiliate nonprofit Houston Housing Resources Inc., the Agency strives to provide the low-income Houstonians we serve with a full menu of opportunities to help them achieve their goals.
Doing Business with HHA: https://housingforhouston.com/doing-business-with-hha/current-solicitations/
Become a Vendor: https://housingforhouston.com/doing-business-with-hha/bidders/
Link to Resources: https://houstonlandbank.org/resources/#1582839727545-1a1ea7d0-9b58
Procurement Opportunities are filled through City of Houston OBO
Current Bids Information: https://kipptexas.org/public-information/current-bids/
Become a Vendor: https://solutions.sciquest.com/apps/Router/SupplierLogin?CustOrg=KIPP
Current Bids Information: https://bids.sciquest.com/apps/Router/PublicEvent?CustomerOrg=MDAndersonPS
Become a Supplier: https://solutions.sciquest.com/apps/Router/RegistrationChecklist?CustOrg=MDAndersonPS
METRO’s Vision:
Through collaborative relations and innovative approaches, METRO will be an industry leader in delivering timely and efficient service that is transformative by providing multi-modal interactions for communities to connect to everyday work and life opportunities.
Mission: To provide safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly public transportation services to our region.
For more information contact: Alexander Sandoval jorge.sandoval@ridemetro.org
Link for Vendor Registration: (Note: Vendor registration is not the same as certification.): https://psus.ridemetro.org/sap/bc/webdynpro/sapsrm/wda_e_suco_sreg?sap-client=400#
Link for Request for Quotes: (eRFQs), for less than $50,000, on GovQuote: https://webapps.ridemetro.org/procurement/solicitations_informal.aspx
Link for Current Solicitations: https://webapps.ridemetro.org/procurement/solicitations.aspx
Link to Get Certified: https://www.ridemetro.org/about/business-to-business/procurement-opportunities/small-business-dbe-programs
Port Houston owns and operates the 8 public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the country. Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader for the Channel. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 public and private terminals, collectively known as the Port of Houston, is the nation’s largest port for waterborne tonnage. The Port of Houston has an economic impact of $802 billion nationally, and supports 1.35M jobs in Texas and 3.2M jobs nationwide.
For more information contact: Natasha Ainsworth, Business Equity Certification Generalist, nainsworth@porthouston.com, 713-670-2418 office
Link to enroll as a Small, Minority or Woman-Owned Business in Port Houston's Business Equity Programs or to view the S/MWBE directory: https://porthouston.smwbe.com/
Link regarding Port Houston's Business Equity Enrollment: https://porthouston.com/business-equity-enrollment/
Link to become a Port Houston vendor, receive upcoming bid invitations, and view previous bid information: POHA BuySpeed Eprocurement Solution
Link to subscribe to Port Houston's Blog and follow us on social media: http://blog.porthouston.com/
Link to Get Certified: https://porthouston.com/business/vendor-diversity/business-equity-enrollment-process/
Procurement Service Information: https://www.pvamu.edu/pdsv/procurement/
Become a Vendor: https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/registration/
The University of Houston-Downtown is a comprehensive four-year university offering bachelor's and selected master's degree programs and providing strong academic and career preparation as well as life-long learning opportunities. Located in the heart of the city, the University reflects the diversity of the Greater Houston Area, and through its academic programs, engages with the community to address the needs and advance the development of the region. UHD is an inclusive community dedicated to integrating teaching, service and scholarly research to develop students' talents and prepare them for success in a dynamic global society. The University of Houston-Downtown will be a premier city university engaging every student in high-impact educational experiences and ensuring that students graduate with 21st-century skills.
For more information contact: Lorena Sanchez Director, University Services and HUB Coordinator SanchezL@uhd.edu
We do not have a vendor database that requires registration, we utilize vendors found on the state of Texas Comptroller website (CMBL) Centralized Masters Bidders List: https://mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/tpasscmblsearch/tpasscmblsearch.do
To Register to be a Texas Vendor: https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/registration/
Apply for Texas Hub Certification: https://texashub.gob2g.com/
UH-Downtown Procurement Opportunities ($25k and above) are all listed on the state of Texas website (ESBD) Electronic State Business Daily: http://www.txsmartbuy.com/esbd
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.
Link for SBA Federal Contracting Website: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting
Procurement Technical Assistance Center Contact Information (Resource Partner that assists with local, state, and federal contracting)
Phone: 713-752-8477
Email: uhptac@central.uh.edu
Website: UH PTAC - Home
Address: 1455 West Loop South - Suite 890, Houston, TX 77027-9530
The Harris County – Houston Sports Authority helped launch Buy Houston: By Houston, a supplier diversity program to engage with diverse local suppliers to maximize procurement opportunities in partnership with high-profile events, starting with the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship.
This programming supports minority, woman, LGBTQIA+, and veteran-owned businesses through professional development sessions, networking events, and access to subcontract opportunities. Certified companies selected for the program were profiled in the Houston Host Committee directory, which event organizers and primary contractors used to identify and choose local suppliers to fulfill their sub-contracting needs. Throughout 2023, the Houston Host Committee built out this directory to use not only for the CFP National Championship but for events coming to Houston in years to come.
- ELIGIBILITY To qualify as a minority vendor, businesses must:
- Be 51% owned by a minority, woman, LGBTQIA+, or veteran individual
- Have been in operation and have a physical office in Harris County.
- Be the direct source of the goods and services represented in their bid
- Be in good standing and eligible to do business with the Harris County, City of Houston, or State of Texas
Interested in becoming a vendor? www.houstonsports.org/buyhoustonbyhouston/
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