Small businesses — including minority- and women-owned companies — are the leading employers in the Houston area and provide nearly half of all jobs in Texas. The Port of Houston Authority recognizes that a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit is vital for a strong economy and leadership in global trade and commerce.

According to a recent study, a total of nearly $7 billion in revenue is generated annually by all businesses providing direct services at the Port of Houston. Small businesses that are eligible for the PHA's Small Business Development Program enjoy a significant share of that revenue. The PHA commissioners and executive staff maintain aggressive goals to promote small business participation on Port contracts for products and professional services.

Click here to download the Small Business Development Program directory, PDF format 640 KB

The Port of Houston Authority's Small Business Development Program (SBDP) was created to provide additional opportunities for local small businesses to participate in contracting and procurement at the Port of Houston Authority. By formalizing existing practices and implementing new procedures, the SBDP will allow the Port of Houston Authority to target more effectively small business participation (including minority- and women-owned businesses) and create opportunities relating to PHA contracting and procurement.

The SBDP is a goal-oriented program, requiring vendors who receive contracts from PHA to use good-faith efforts to utilize certified small businesses. The program applies to all contracts over $25,000, except contracts for sole-source items, federally funded contracts, contracts with other governmental entities and those contracts that are otherwise prohibited by applicable law. The SBDP is a race- and gender-neutral program. SBDP participation is restricted to local small businesses.

The Port Commission will establish an annual goal for small business participation at PHA. The initial overall annual goal of the SBDP is 35 percent of the dollar amount of all SBDP-eligible contracts and procurement. Individual contract goals will vary based on subcontracting opportunities, availability of small businesses, and price competitiveness.

To participate, small businesses must be certified by an agency or organization whose certification is recognized by PHA or by an independent third-party certification agency retained by PHA. Certification is based on a firm's gross revenues or number of employees as defined by the Small Business Act, Section 3, and 13 C.F.R. § 121.201. The net worth of each owner must not exceed $750,000, excluding principal residence and the value of the small business. Small businesses from the Texas counties of Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Liberty, Waller, Chambers and Brazoria are eligible to participate.

The Port of Houston Authority Small Business Development policy and procedures are available online in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).

View the entire Small Business Development Program policy and procedures.

Print a copy of the Small Business Development Program application.

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, you may obtain a free copy of the software by clicking on the Reader button below.

Small Business Development
P.O. Box 2562
Houston, TX  77252-2562

Tel: 713-670-2597
Fax: 713-670-2498
E-mail: smallbusiness@poha.com

Last updated: 03/07/11

Port of Houston Authority
111 East Loop North • Houston, Texas 77029
P.O. Box 2562 • Houston, Texas 77252-2562
Phone: 713-670-2400

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