The HUB Office certifies minorities, women, persons with disabilities, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and disabled business enterprises as historically underutilized business firms for North Carolina State Government via online vendor registration.

Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) as defined in N.C. General Statutes 143-48, and 143-128.4 (a), and (b) are minority, women, disabled and disadvantaged owned businesses that are at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one of the aforementioned groups. The HUB Office also promotes the utilization of disabled business enterprises and non-profit work centers for the blind and severely disabled by state agencies and public entities.

In seeking certification, prospective HUB firms must provide documentation that demonstrates to the HUB Office that ownership, management and control of the company by a minority, woman, disabled or disadvantaged individual or group of individuals. As appropriate, site visits may be conducted on existing and prospective HUB firms to determine or substantiate eligibility for HUB certification. For additional information on certification, please review the HUB Certification Manual (pdf).

Benefits of HUB Certification include:

• HUB Certification is free of charge.
• Certification is valid for two years, provided that the business continues to meet the eligibility requirements.
• Certified HUBs are registered with the Division of Purchase and Contract’s web-based HUB Vendor Directory/Vendor Link. State agencies use the HUB Vendor Directory in conjunction with the E-Procurement database to solicit bids from certified HUBs for state purchasing and public works contracts. Prime contractors also use the HUB Vendor Directory to identify HUBs in order to send them notification of their subcontracting opportunities. This provides increased exposure to the general public, as well as other entities that have a supplier diversity program and are searching for minority and woman-owned businesses.

For additional information regarding certification, you may contact one of the Certification Specialists listed below: