6-IBE Preference Form.pdf

This is an Identified Business Enterprise (IBE) Preference Form for the City of Allentown, Pennsylvania, applicable to Quote No. 2026-001 for Summer Playground Bus Transportation services. The form establishes the framework for evaluating bids submitted by qualifying small businesses, small diverse businesses, and veteran-owned businesses in accordance with Article 815B of the City of Allentown's Home Rule Charter. Bidders must affirmatively declare whether they qualify for IBE preference status by completing the form with their firm name, authorized representative signature, printed name, and title. The preference mechanism allows the City to award contracts to qualifying IBEs whose bids fall within a 5 percent variance (.95 factor) of the lowest non-IBE bid price, provided the IBE bidder is properly licensed and compliant with all City ordinances and regulations. The form clarifies that failure to respond to the IBE preference question will not negatively impact bid consideration.

The IBE preference does not apply to public improvement construction contracts exceeding $50,000, situations where the difference between lowest non-resident and resident bids exceeds $2,500, or where prohibited by applicable law or state and federal regulations. When multiple IBEs submit bids, the contract award is made to the lowest bidder among them. The form emphasizes that IBE status is discretionary and that completing the preference declaration carries no adverse consequences for vendors electing not to claim qualifying status. Completion of this form is mandatory for all bidders submitting proposals for Quote No. 2026-001.