Overview
Houston is one of the richest federal contracting markets in the US — the Port of Houston, NASA JSC, Ellington Field JRB, and hundreds of federal agencies maintain active procurement programs.
Key Programs & Resources
SDVOSB Set-Aside Contracts
Federal agencies must set aside contracts for exclusive SDVOSB competition when there is a reasonable expectation that two or more SDVOSBs will submit offers at fair market price.
GSA Schedules (Multiple Award Schedules)
GSA Schedules are long-term government-wide contracts that allow federal agencies to buy products and services without running a full competition.
NASA SEWP Contract Vehicle
NASA's Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) is one of the largest government IT contract vehicles.
Army Corps of Engineers — Galveston District
Manages coastal and inland waterway projects throughout Texas with an annual procurement budget exceeding $1 billion.
Port of Houston Federal Contracts
The Port of Houston Authority issues contracts for dredging, maritime construction, environmental remediation, and port security.
PTAC — Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Texas has a network of PTACs funded by the DoD to provide free assistance to businesses seeking government contracts.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to access the programs outlined above. The VBOC Houston at the University of Houston can assist with most of these steps at no cost — and HRVCC staff can connect you directly.
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Register in SAM.gov — this is required for all federal contracting activity
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Obtain SDVOSB certification at veterans.certify.sba.gov
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Identify your target agencies: NASA JSC, Ellington JRB, Army Corps Galveston District, USCG
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Contact Houston PTAC at HCC SBDC for free bid-matching service
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Attend a GSA Schedules workshop through VBOC Houston
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Monitor beta.sam.gov (federal contract opportunities) for SDVOSB set-asides
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Register in DIBBS (Defense Information Bulletin Board System) for DoD supply contracts
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Consider teaming with a larger prime contractor to gain past performance history
How HRVCC Helps Members Access These Resources
HRVCC exists to help veteran business owners in Houston navigate exactly the programs and resources described on this page. Membership isn't just a directory listing — it's access to a community that has already worked through these processes and is ready to share what they know.
- HRVCC members get access to our full resource library — guides like this one, plus templates, checklists, and walkthroughs for every major veteran business program
- HRVCC hosts certification workshops and procurement matchmaking events throughout the year, so you can learn alongside fellow veteran entrepreneurs
- Fellow members share their experiences navigating these programs — real, practical advice from people who've been through the same process
- HRVCC staff can connect you directly with VBOC Houston, Houston PTAC at HCC, and Texas Veterans Commission counselors — warm introductions, not cold calls
- Your member portal gives you on-demand access to all HRVCC guides, templates, event recordings, and resources — available any time you need them
Additional Houston-Area Veteran Business Resources
- Texas Veterans Commission — texasveterans.gov — state claims, benefits, and business counseling
- SBA VBOC Houston at the University of Houston SBDC — 713-752-8444
- SCORE Houston with veteran mentors — houston.score.org
- Lone Star Veterans Association — Houston veteran community and networking
- American GI Forum of Texas — advocacy and business support for Hispanic veterans
- NaVOBA — National Veteran-Owned Business Association — corporate supplier diversity certification
- Houston Veteran Business Council — local veteran business advocacy and networking
- Houston PTAC at HCC SBDC — free federal contracting assistance for veteran businesses