Small business Enterprise program

The Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program is a race and gender neutral program, which presents benefits to small businesses to participate in Leon County's procurement of goods and services. The SBE Program fosters growth in the County’s economy by affording small businesses a chance to gain experience, knowledge, and training to compete and secure contracts in the bidding processes.

Through the SBE Program, County Officials will reserve Request for Proposals (RFP) and Bids only for certified SBE's, when at least three SBE's that are certified for the type of commodity or service requested for RFP's and/or Bids. Small businesses participating in this program will be given the opportunity to develop and enhance their business, therefore, increasing their ability to compete effectively in procurement arenas.

SMALL BUSINESS enterprise CERTIFICATION CRITERIA

To qualify, a vendor must successfully complete the certification process. Please print a SBE Application, or call the MWSBE Division for a certification application.

The following are SBE eligibility criteria:

Majority owner(s) must reside and the business must currently be located in Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, or Wakulla Counties (Local Market Area) Florida.

Majority owner(s) must be a United States citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States.

Business must be legally structured either as a corporation, organized under the laws of Florida, or a partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability, or any other business or professional entity as required by Florida Law, and must be a for-profit business concern.

Business must be an independent firm and not an affiliate, front, facade, broker, or pass through.

Business must currently be licensed as required by local, state, and federal laws and engaging in commercial transactions typical of the field, with customers in the Local Market Area other than state or government agencies, for each specialty area in which certification is sought. Furthermore, if a supplier, business must be making sales regularly from goods maintained in stock.

Business must have expertise normally required by the industry in the field for which certification is sought.

Business must have a net worth of no more than $2 million.

Business must employ 50 or fewer full- or part-time employees, including leased employees.

Annual gross receipts on average, over the immediately preceding three (3) year period, shall not exceed:   

1. For businesses performing Construction - $2,000,000/year
2. For businesses providing Other Services or Materials & Supplies - $2,000,000/year
3. For businesses providing Professional Services - $1,000,000/year

Small Business Management Training will be completed or waived by the Small Business Development Center at FAMU.

Participation in this training will be approved by the County, only after the business has met the qualifications for items listed above.

Comments or Questions Contact:
Minority, Women & Small Business Enterprise Division
2284 Miccosukee Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850)606-1650
(850)606-1651 Fax

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