Women Minority Business Enterprises (W/MBE) Vendor Preference

Policy 

It shall be the policy of the City that W /M BE vendors may be given preference in the procurement process after local vendors were given preference, unless otherwise prohibited or waived by the City Manager. The City strives to use Women/ Minority Business Enterprises vendors whenever practicable and possible. Women/ Minority Business Enter::>rises (must meet designation below) shall be entitled to match the lowest qualified bid and be considered the lowest bidder by giving written notice to that effect to the City by 3:00 p.m. on the third business day after the bid opening. In the event the lowest bidder has filed Lo:al Preference, Local Preference will supersede the W/MBE Vendor preference. 

Notice 

Any procurement for purchases over $25,000.01 or more by the City to which the provisions of this section are being applied shall contain a statement that a vendor preference will be used in the evaluation and award of that purchase. When W/MBE preference will api:ly, it is the vendor's responsibility to request W/MBE Preference by submitting a valid W/MBE Certification with its sealed bid or proposal. 

For City purchases $25,000.00 or less, it is the vendor's responsibility to request W/MBE Preference by submitting a completed W/MBE Certification with its quotation. 

Certification 

Any vendor claiming to be a W/MBE shall deliver certification to the General Services Department. The General Services Department shall verify the accuracy of any certifications when determining whether a vendor meets the definition of a W/MBE. It is the responsibility of any vendor claiming to be W/MBE to include a valid certification with its quote􀁂, bid, or proposal. Failure to submit such certification shall constitute a waiver of the vendor's ability to exercise W/MBE vendor preference in the procurement. 

Designation: In order for a vendor to be designated as a W/MBE, a valid W/MBE Certification from one of the following must be submitted: 

a.    Florida Minority Supplier Development Council

b.    Women Business Enterprise National Council

c.    The State of Florida Office of Supplier Diversity

d.    Florida Department of Transportation

e.    U. 5. Small Business Administration

f.    Federal Aviation Authority

Exceptions to W/MBE Vendor Preference Policy

1. The procurement preference set forth in this policy shall not apply to any of the following:

a. Purchases or contracts that are funded, in whole or part, by assistance of any

federal, state, or local agency that disallows W/MBE vendor preference.

b. Purchases or contracts that are funded, in whole or part, by a governmental entity and the laws, regulations or policies governing such funding prohibit the application of W/MBE vendor preference.

c. Goods or services purchased under a cooperative purchasing agreement, state

contract or interlocal agreement.

d. Contracts for professional services, procurement of which is subject: to the

Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA) or subject to any cor1petitive

consultant selection policy or procedure adopted or utilized by the City Commission.

e. Purchases made or contracts let under emergencies or retainer agreements for legal services.

2. Application of W/MBE vendor preference to a particular purchase may be waived upon

written justification to and approval by the City Manager.

3. The W/MBE vendor preference established in this policy does not prohibit or lessen the right of the City Commission or City staff to compare quality or fitness for use of supplies, materials, equipment, and services proposed for purchase and to compare qualifications, character, responsibility, and fitness of all persons and vendors submitting Quotes, Bids or Proposals.

4. The W/MBE vendor preference established in this policy does not prohibit the City Commission from giving any other preference permitted by law, in addition to the local preference authorized in this policy.