Vendor Inclusion Preference

Is shall be the policy of the City of Bartow that Veterans, and Woman/ Minority Businesses shall have maximum feasible opportunity to participate in the City’s procurement process. The City Purchasing Department shall:

  • Ensure nondiscrimination of the City’s procurement process;
  • Maintain a procurement environment in which Veterans, and W/MBE participants can compete fairly;
  • Prevent barriers that may obstruct such participation in the City’s procurement activities; and
  • Assist in the development of vendors so that they can compete successfully.

 The term “Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VBE)” means any business having at lease fifty-one (51%) ownership by a veteran owner in which must have been honorably discharged from service and veteran owner must independently control management and daily business operations. Must hold the professional license for the business, if applicable.

 The term “Women/Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (W/MBE)” means any business having at least fifty-one (51%) ownership by women or minority group members who independently control the management and daily business operations. Group members are Women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. Must hold the professional license for the business, if applicable.

 In order for a vendor to be recognized as a VBE or W/MBE by the City the following documentation must be submitted with the vendor’s registration and/or such documentation must be submitted with their quote or bid submission:

  • Valid Veteran or W/MBE Certification form from one of the following:
    • U.S. Small Business Administration
    • National Veteran Owned Business Association
    • Florida Minority Supplier Development Council
    • Women Business Enterprise National Council
    • The State of Florida Office of Supplier Diversity
    • Florida Department of Transportation
    • Other Florida governmental agencies

A purchasing preference shall be afforded to Veteran Business Enterprises (VBE), and Women/Minority Business Enterprises (W/MBE) in accordance with the following criteria:

  1. When written quotations (less than $50,000.00) are solicited, and the lowest price is offered by a non VBE or W/MBE, and the next lowest price is offered by a VBE or W/MBE and is within ten percent (10%) of the lowest price offered, then the VBE or W/MBE vendor shall be given the opportunity to match the lowest price offered. If the VBE or W/MBE vendor agrees to match the lowest price offered, the VBE or W/MBE vendor will be awarded the quote if they are otherwise fully qualified and satisfy all related city requirements.
  2. When sealed bids (less than $500,000.00) are solicited, and the lowest price is offered by a non VBE or W/MBE, and the next lowest price is offered by a VBE or W/MBE, and is within ten percent (10%) of the lowest price offered, then the VBE or W/MBE vendor shall be given the opportunity to match the lowest price offered. If the VBE or W/MBE vendor agrees to match the lowest price offered, the VBE or W/MBE vendor will be awarded the bid if they are otherwise fully qualified and satisfy all related city requirements.
  3.  When sealed bids ($500,000.00 or more, but less than $1,000,000.00) are solicited, and the lowest price is offered by a non VBE or W/MBE, and the next lowest price is offered by a VBE or W/MBE and is within seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the lowest price offered, then the VBE or W/MBE vendor shall be given the opportunity to match the lowest price offered. If the VBE or W/MBE vendor agrees to match the lowest price offered, the VBE or W/MBE vendor will be awarded the bid if they are otherwise fully qualified and satisfy all related city requirements.
  4.  When sealed bids ($1,000,000.00 or more) are solicited, and the lowest price is offered by a non VBE or W/MBE, and the next lowest price is offered by VBE or W/MBE, and is within five percent (5%) of the lowest price offered, then the VBE or W/MBE vendor shall be given the opportunity to match the lowest price offered. If the VBE or W/MBE vendor agrees to match the lowest price offered, the VBE or W/MBE vendor will be awarded the bid if they are otherwise fully qualified and satisfy all related city requirements.

 A Vendor preference shall not be afforded in any quote or bid award where it is precluded by law, administrative rule, policy, regulation or related funding agreement.

 **This policy in no way supersedes the Local Preference Policy.