• MBOC Contracting Center at the UTPA Annex Visit MBOC's Plan Room for information on contracts being offered by government agencies and prime contractors. Contractors can look at plans and specifications for certain projects that have been made available to the MBOC. Current bid notices are also available. MBOC staff can assist in locating additional resources that are necessary to complete a bid proposal. Our Contracting Center is located at 2412 S. Closner Blvd., Edinburg, Texas.
• Business Information Center (BIC) at the One Stop Capital Shop Regardless of the type of business you are interested in starting, whether a flower shop, bike shop, or a manufacturing entity, we probably have the information for you at the BIC. The BIC contains binders of information relative to most every type of business imaginable. Need to find which companies manufacture the machinery or presses you need to produce your widget? We carry the directories to find those companies. See for yourself the wealth of information at the BIC. Hours of operation are M-F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Thursday: open till 6 p.m.)
• Rio Grande Valley Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Organizations We have done the research for you and compiled the list of Rio Grande Valley Chambers of Commerce into a nice, neat .pdf.

State Resources

• Smart Jobs Fund The Smart Jobs Fund is an innovative program designed to assist Texas employers train the workforce of the future. It is "employer-driven"--you, as the employer, decide what training is needed to enhance the skills of your employees, thereby increasing the competitiveness of your business.
• Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program The State of Texas maintains a certification program entitled the Historically Underutilized Business Program (HUB). A business is certified for two (2) years through the General Services Commission. HUB Certification can be used as a marketing tool for your business. Benefits include having your company's information posted online in a searchable database accessed primarily by state purchasers.
• Texas Marketplace All state agencies with single lot purchases over $25,000 are required to post the offerings online for open competition. Search the listing for a bid locally or across the state, and list your company in the business directory while you are searching.

Federal Resources

• Phoenix Database The Phoenix Database registers minority businesses in an Internet database. Registered businesses are matched with contract opportunities that have been input by private entities, federal, state, and local agencies. When a "match" occurs, an email or fax is sent to the registered company informing them of the contract opportunity.
• Commerce Business Daily The Commerce Business Daily (CBD) is an online searchable database of Federal contract opportunities. Search by city, standard industrial code--now NAIC--category, agency, etc. Contracts over $25,000 are posted on this site by requirement.
• U.S. Small Business Administration The Small Business Administration (SBA) runs a variety of programs to assist small business, whether start-up, existing, women-owned, veteran-owned, etc. A branch office is located at the One Stop Capital Shop, 2412 S. Closner, Edinburg, TX 78539.
• PRO-Net The U.S. SBA maintains the Procurement Marketing & Access Network (PRO-Net). This online searchable database makes your profile accessible to federal, state, and local contracting officers--as well as private sector businesses--looking for contractors, subcontractors, partners, etc. Registration is free, and your profile must be updated every 18 months.
• Electronic Commerce Resource Center The San Antonio Electronic Commerce Resource Center (SAECRC) is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Defense; its mission is to promote awareness of and accessibility to the Internet. Courses offered year-round by the ECRC over electronic commerce, website design and implementation, Internet business operations, etc. Let us (MBOC) know of your training needs, and we will coordinate with the ECRC to bring an instructor to present the course.

  ** The ECRC has been deactivated. The South Texas MBOC hopes to continue with training in E-Commerce using the same information and literature that was used by the ECRC program. Please contact us regarding your e-commerce needs. 956.316.2619.**

   

• Central Contractor Registration The Central Contractor Registration system is a central repository of all companies and agencies wanting to do business with the Department of Defense (DoD). These companies and agencies MUST be registered and validated in the CCR prior to award of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchase agreement, unless the award results from a solicitation issued on or before May 31 1998.

Private Sector Resources

• BidRadar Register at BidRadar for federal solicitation notification. Information is extracted from the Commerce Business Daily (CBD). There is no fee to register for the free email notification service.

Other

• CoSERVE The South Texas MBOC is one of 20 outreach centers under the CoSERVE (Office of Center Operations and Community Services) umbrella. Click on the link above to visit the website and tour the sites of the other centers.