Government Contracting

The state of Florida’s eProcurement system, MyFloridaMarketPlace, is designed to streamline transactions between vendors and state government entities that purchase goods and services. Businesses register online. Also businesses that want to apply for minority business enterprise (MBE) certification can do so as part of the online registration process.

As of Dec. 31, 2006, more than 80,000 vendors, including 25,000 minority vendors, had registered with MyFloridaMarketPlace, which is part of the Florida Department of Management Services. And 30 state agencies using the system had placed 354,000 purchase orders and spent $2.9 billion.

Help for Women and Minorities

›Women’s Business Centers

This nationwide network of centers, which are partly sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, helps women start and run successful businesses.

›WomenBiz.gov

The National Women’s Business Council, a bipartisan federal advisory group, sponsors this site. It is designed to help women-owned businesses sell to the federal government.

›Florida Black Business Investment Corporations

This consortium of eight regional organizations provides financial and technical assistance to African-American-owned and other minority businesses. The BBIC helps to finance startups and expansions. Financing typically ranges from $50,000 to $300,000.

›Additional assistance

Other entities that can provide helpful information for Florida’s minority-owned businesses include the Black Business Investment Board, Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (with offices in Tampa and Orlando) and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network.

Tags: Florida Small Business, Business Services