53A-RFP_Local_Pref_and_Ties_01-10-25.pdf

CITY OF SARASOTA

LOCAL PREFERENCE AND TIES

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Version 01-10-25

Standard RFP

This document contains the requirements to qualify as a local vendor/contractor for the benefit of local preference. This document also contains procedures on how tie bids will be handled, as well as recommendations for local hiring practices.

Vendors/contractors do not have to be a local vendor/contractor to submit a solicitation response.

1. LOCAL PREFERENCE, LOCATION POINTS, AND TIE BREAKERS

Note: Local preferences do not apply to Local Agency Program, Federal Funded projects, where prohibited by grant funding. Does not apply to CCNA.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

1.1. Definitions:

1.1.1. Local city business means the vendor has (i) a valid Local Business Tax Receipt, issued by the City of Sarasota at least one year prior to a bid or proposal submission, to do business within the City of Sarasota that authorizes the business to sell goods or services or to engage in construction, and (ii) a physical non-residential business address located within the City of Sarasota from which the vendor is operating or performing its business, and at which it maintains full-time employees who receive from the local business a regular paycheck from which deductions are made for employment related payroll taxes, including but not necessarily limited to social security and Medicare.

1.1.2. Local county business means the vendor has (i) a valid Local Business Tax Receipt, issued by Sarasota County at least one year prior to a bid or proposal submission, to do business within Sarasota County that authorizes the business to sell goods or services or to engage in construction, and (ii) a physical non-residential business address located within Sarasota County from which the vendor is operating or performing its business, and at which it maintains full-time employees (as defined in City of Sarasota Purchasing Ordinance) who receive from the local business a regular paycheck from which deductions are made for employment related payroll taxes, including but not necessarily limited to social security and Medicare.

1.1.3. Non-local business means any vendor that does not meet either the definition of local city business or local county business.

1.1.4. In order to be eligible for local preference, the vendor must provide a copy of the occupational license/Business Tax Receipt

1.2. Local Preference (NON CCNA)

1.2.1. Request for proposals, qualifications or other submittals and competitive negotiation and selection. For all other competitive solicitations in which specified factors used to evaluate the responses from vendors are assigned point totals, the City Commission, or its purchasing designee, shall give a preference to a local city business or local county business by giving additional points to each as follows: ten (10) additional points (out of 100) to a local city business, and five (5) additional points (out of 100) to a local county business.

2. TIES

2.1.1. The Evaluation Committee may choose to resolve a tie using the criteria below or require additional materials or interviews as the Committee so determines.

2.1.2. In the event of any tie (in the ranking criteria), after the above listed preferences or location points are calculated, the following may take effect:

2.1.3. If there is a tie (two or more firms have the same number of 1st place rankings), then the firms that has the highest number of 1st place and 2nd place rankings shall be the first ranked firm.

This method shall be used for all ties.

2.1.4. If there is a tie (two or more firms) having the same number of 1st and 2nd place rankings the following will take effect.

2.1.5. Between a local city or county business, and a non-local business, a contract award, or the first opportunity to negotiate, as applicable, shall be made to the local city or county business.

2.1.6. In the event of any tie between a local city business and a local county business, the local city business shall be awarded the contract or receive the first opportunity to negotiate, as applicable.

2.1.7. In the event of any tie between a local city business and another local city business, or a local county business and another local county business, the local vendor with the greatest number of full-time employees (full-time employee as defined in City of Sarasota Procurement Ordinance 12-5009) working in the City of Sarasota or Sarasota County respectively, shall be awarded the contract or receive the first opportunity to negotiate, as applicable.

2.1.7.1. In the event of any tie between a local city business and another local city business, or a local county business and another local county business and has the same number of full-time employees the local vendor with a Drug Free Workplace program in accordance with Section 287.087, Florida State Statutes, shall be awarded the contract or receive the first opportunity to negotiate, as applicable.

2.1.7.2. Preference must be given to vendors submitting a certification with their bid proposal certifying they have a drug-free workplace in accordance with Section 287.087, Florida Statutes. This requirement affects all public entities of the State and becomes effective January 1, 1991. The special condition is as follows:

2.1.7.3. Preference shall be given to businesses with drug-free workplace programs. Whenever two or more bids which are equal with respect to price, quality, and service are received by the State or by any political subdivision for the procurement of commodities or contractual services, a bid received from a business that certifies that is has implemented a drug-free workplace program shall be given preference in the award process.

Established procedures for processing tie bids will be followed if none of the tied vendors have a drug-free workplace program. In order to have a drug-free workplace program, a business shall:

2.1.7.4. Publish a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition.

2.1.7.5. Inform employees about the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, the business policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace, any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs, and the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations.

2.1.7.6. Give each employee engaged in providing the commodities or contractual services that are under bid a copy of the statement specified in section 43.3.7.4.

2.1.7.7. In the statement specified in section 43.3.7.4, notify the employees that, as a condition of working on the commodities or contractual services that are under bid, the employee will abide by the terms of the statement and will notify the employer of any conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any violation of Chapter 893 or of any controlled substance law of the United States or any state, for a violation occurring in the work place no later than five (5) days after such conviction.

2.1.7.8. Impose a sanction on or require the satisfactory participation in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program if such is available in the employee's community, by any employee who is so convicted.

2.1.7.9. Make a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of this section.

2.1.8. In the event of any tie between a local city business and another local city business, or a local county business and another local county business, and has the same number of full time employees and the local vendor has a Drug Free Work Place program in place in accordance with Section 287.087, Florida State Statutes, a coin toss will determine who shall be awarded the contract or receive the first opportunity to negotiate, as applicable

2.2. Local Hiring

The City of Sarasota local hiring initiatives do apply to the awarded bidder(s). The City of Sarasota encourages all Contractors/Vendors to hire local residents for all bids, quotes, proposals, and solicitations within the Sarasota area. Suncoast Workforce will assist the company awarded the bid with these efforts. Please be aware it is not intended for contractors and subcontractors to terminate existing employees, but to make every effort feasible to employ local residents before any other person, when hiring additional employees needed to complete proposed work to be performed.

Suncoast Workforce Board Inc.

DBA Career Source Suncoast 3660 N. Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34234 Phone: 941.358.4200 Fax: 941.358.2820

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