UNT Dallas’ mission includes strengthening our communities, and a key component is our commitment to uplifting minority-owned businesses. UNT Dallas consistently tops all Texas higher education institutions in its utilization of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB).

Because of UNT Dallas’ strategic spending, the university is always an active participant in the annual “Doing Business Texas Style” Spot Bid Fair created by Texas Sen. Royce West. The 2020 edition on Aug. 3-5 will be held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is forcing a tightening of budgets statewide, and making how and with whom UNT Dallas spends its dollars even more critical.

“It is even more important now that we keep our money in the Texas tax base and that we afford opportunities for Texas-based, diverse suppliers to compete,” said Greg Obar, UNT System Senior Director for Strategic Management & HUB Coordinator.

The Spot Bid Fair provides procurement opportunities for HUBs throughout Texas that supply goods and services to institutions like UNT Dallas. The unique format of the fair includes on-the-spot contract awards and live event-time announcements of potential bid winners.

UNT Dallas is again prepared to provide spot-bid opportunities at the Spot Bid Fair. At last year’s event, UNT Dallas awarded $436,000 to local HUB vendors, accounting for about 43% of the total coming from UNT World campuses ($1.05 million).

“While we anticipate a significant reduction in expenditures locally and state-wide, including those at Spot Bid Fair,” Obar said, “we would like for UNT Dallas to continue to set the example for higher education in Texas.”