26-P-00044_-_DMI-45-Form-EBO-Determination-Letter-SLBE.docx

This is an Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Determination Letter issued by the City of Tampa's Department of Logistics and Asset Management (LAM) - Fleet Maintenance Division for Vehicle & Equipment Towing Services under Project Number 26-P-00044. The procurement covers towing services for five vehicle categories: light vehicles (up to 10,000 lbs), medium-duty vehicles (10,001-26,000 lbs), heavy trucks (26,001-80,000 lbs), construction and specialized equipment, and special equipment including boats and motorcycles, with estimated annual towing volumes ranging from 200-500 tows. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of five years of towing experience in Florida, hold valid Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission licensing, and provide three professional references. Sealed bids are due electronically through the OpenGov eProcurement Portal by 3:00 p.m. on January 30, 2026. The contract period spans one year with potential for four additional one-year renewals, with pricing requirements including flat towing rates by vehicle category, mileage rates for out-of-county tows, service call rates, and emergency response surcharges. Successful bidders must maintain 24/7 on-call operations with one-hour response times for routine calls and 30-minute response times for emergencies.

The estimated contract budget is $175,000 annually, with the City intending to award the contract to multiple responsive and responsible vendors. The determination classified this as a traditional solicitation with no narrowly tailored requirements or sheltered market provisions. However, the City offers a five percent bid discount (not to exceed $10,000) for certified Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBEs), though no subcontracting goals have been established for this procurement. The contract includes performance provisions with monetary deductions for non-compliance with cleanliness standards, response time failures, and improper vehicle handling, with potential contract termination after four deductions. Price adjustments will be limited to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), with the first potential adjustment occurring after the initial one-year contract period.