the Comptroller's Procurement and Support Services Division, the agency which oversees purchasing for the state. There is no fee to become certified as a HUB vendor. Certified HUBs are listed on a HUB database which is accessible to all state agencies.

Vendors who are interested in becoming certified HUBs may contact the OAG HUB Coordinator, a member of the OAG Procurement Division staff, or the CPA to request a HUB application. Vendor information, including applications for downloading can be obtained via the CPA website.

The goal of the agency's HUB program is to increase procurement opportunities for minority, woman-owned, and Service Disabled Veteran businesses. The program includes components designed to increase awareness, provide education, and encourage participation by actively working with both agency staff and the vendor community.

In accordance withthe Department of Information Resources (DIR) Co-op contracts which make up a significant portion of the agency's expenditures. DIR's website may be found at the following link: http://dir.texas.gov/.

The regulations of the CPA govern all state procurement. However, the CPA delegates authority to state agencies to make certain purchases. The OAG uses the methods described below to acquire goods and services, depending on the total anticipated cost of an order and the type of items being requested.

CPA Term Contracts

The CPA establishes term contracts for specific goods and services based on the overall needs of the state. Agencies must purchase these goods and services from the term contracts whenever the items meet their functional requirements. However, agencies may obtain orders below specified dollar amounts ("spot option limits") from sources other