Texas HUB Certification (VetHUB)
What it is
HUB stands for Historically Underutilized Business. It is a Texas state certification for businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by an economically disadvantaged person who lives in Texas — a category that includes service-disabled veterans. VetHUB is the veteran track of that program.
What it takes to get it
- Submit an application to the Texas Comptroller with proof of ownership — formation documents, ownership percentages, and the operating agreement.
- Prove residency in Texas and that the qualifying owner actually runs the business day to day, not just on paper.
- For the veteran track, provide VA documentation of service-connected disability status.
- The Comptroller reviews the filing and may request additional records before certifying.
- Certification runs four years, then has to be renewed with current documentation.
How you can verify it
Anyone can look up a HUB-certified business in the Texas Comptroller’s public HUB directory — the certification is a matter of public record, not a claim a contractor makes about themselves.
Why it matters
Texas state agencies and universities carry HUB spending goals, so certified vendors are actively sought for state work. For a private customer, the practical value is different: the state verified who owns and runs this company before certifying it.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
What it is
A federal designation for a small business at least 51% owned and controlled by a veteran with a service-connected disability rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
What it takes to get it
- The VA must first establish a service-connected disability rating for the owner.
- The business applies for federal verification, which reviews ownership percentages, control of daily operations, and governing documents.
- Reviewers confirm the veteran owner is the highest-paid officer and genuinely controls the company — this is where pass-through arrangements get rejected.
- Verified status is recorded federally and is subject to re-verification and audit.
How you can verify it
Verified status is federally recorded and searchable, and the underlying disability rating comes from the VA rather than from the business.
Why it matters
Federal agencies have set-aside authority for SDVOSB contractors under 38 U.S.C. § 8127. It is one of the harder small-business designations to obtain because the disability rating itself cannot be self-declared.
Active Federal Registration
What it is
SAM.gov is the System for Award Management — the federal government’s official vendor registry. A business cannot be awarded a federal contract, or be paid by the federal government, without an active registration.
What it takes to get it
- Register the legal entity with its EIN and banking details for federal payment.
- Obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI), which replaced the old DUNS number.
- Complete federal representations and certifications — a long set of legal attestations about the business.
- Renew annually. A lapsed registration makes a vendor ineligible for award until it is corrected.
How you can verify it
SAM.gov registration is public. Any agency or prime contractor can look up an entity and see whether its registration is active or expired.
Why it matters
"Active" is the operative word. Plenty of businesses register once and let it lapse. Active status means the registration is current and the business is eligible for federal award today.
Texas B2G Vendor ID
What it is
The Vendor Identification Number is how the State of Texas identifies a business in its purchasing systems. It is tied to the company’s federal EIN and is used on the Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) and in Texas SmartBuy.
What it takes to get it
- Register the business with the state purchasing system under its legal name and EIN.
- Select the commodity codes (NIGP codes) matching the services the business actually performs.
- Appear on the CMBL, which is the list agencies use when they need to solicit bids.
How you can verify it
A state purchaser can enter the VID and pull up the registered entity, its commodity codes, and its certification status directly.
Why it matters
This is the number a state purchaser needs in order to issue a purchase order. Without it, an agency that wants to hire the business has no way to process the transaction.
Commercial General Liability & Workers’ Compensation
What it is
General liability coverage protects the property owner if something is damaged during the work. Workers’ compensation covers injuries to workers on the job.
What it takes to get it
- Carriers underwrite based on the trades performed, payroll, and claims history.
- Coverage is documented on a certificate of insurance (COI) issued by the carrier, not by the contractor.
- A property owner or manager can be named as certificate holder and receive the COI directly from the carrier.
How you can verify it
Ask for a certificate of insurance. A legitimate COI comes from the insurance agent or carrier — not as a file the contractor hands you.
Why it matters
This is the credential that matters most to a homeowner. If an uninsured contractor damages your house or a worker is hurt on your property, the exposure can land on your homeowner’s policy.
One thing we do not claim
Texas does not require a statewide general contractor license for general construction and remodeling, and we do not advertise or perform licensed plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work directly. Work that requires a licensed trade is referred to or subcontracted through appropriately licensed professionals. We would rather tell you that plainly than let a list of credentials imply something broader.
Questions about any of it?
Ask directly. Joe answers the phone.