Government Contracting

? MyFloridaMarketplace
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, 2005, more than 66,000 vendors, including almost 21,000 minority vendors, had registered with MyFloridaMarketPlace, which is part of the Florida Department of Management Services. Some 32 state agencies using the system had placed 194,000 purchase orders and spent $1.6 billion.

• Minority Contracting
  The One Florida initiative announced in 1999 by Gov. Jeb Bush directed state agencies under his supervision to find ways to reach out to minority contractors without the use of set-asides and price preferences in awarding contracts. The governor's staff says that certified minority spending by state agencies has increased 164%, from $263 million in fiscal year 1999 to $694 million in 2005.

? Help for Women and Minorities

• Women's Business Centers
  To assist women entrepreneurs with contracting, raising capital and other business services, the Small Business Administration recently launched My Biz for Women (www.sba.gov/women), which highlights federal programs specifically for women. Statewide, Women's Business Centers, which are partly sponsored by the SBA, help women start and grow small businesses.
• Florida Black Business Investment Board
  To become a player in the government contracting arena, a small business may need capital to grow. For minority entrepreneurs, one option is the Florida Black Business Investment Board (FBBIB). The FBBIB uses a combination of public and private funding to help business owners with direct loans and loan guarantees. It also helps with procurement opportunities for Florida minority businesses.
• 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 ranges from $50,000 to $300,000.
• Additional assistance
  Other entities that can provide helpful information for Florida's minority-owned businesses include the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund, with offices in Tampa and Orlando, and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network.

Resources

• MyFloridaMarketplace.com
  dms.myflorida.com
  (866) 352-3776
• Office of Supplier Diversity
  osd.dms.state.fl.us
  (850) 487-0915
• Women's Business Centers
  ? Delray Beach
  (561) 819-5318
  flwbc.org
  ? Orlando
  (407) 398-0743
  allianceflorida.com
  ? Jacksonville
  (904) 924-1100, ext. 252
  jaxwbc.com
• Florida Black Business Investment Board
  fbbib.com
  (850) 878-0826
• Florida Black Business Investment Corporations
  ? Tallahassee (850) 224-1800
  ? Tampa/St. Petersburg (813) 274-7925 or (727) 826-5785
  ? Orlando (407) 649-4780
  ? Fort Lauderdale (954) 587-3755
  ? Jacksonville (904) 634-0543
  ? Daytona Beach (386) 258-7520
  ? West Palm Beach (561) 845-8055
  ? Miami (305) 693-3550
• Hispanic Business Initiative Fund
  ? Tampa
  (813) 980-2765
  hbiftampa.org
  ? Orlando
  (407) 428-5872
  hbiforl.org

Tags: Florida Small Business, Politics & Law, Government/Politics & Law