UPDATED_SBEP_Participation_Requirements_and_Contract_Language_to_PRC_10.13.25.pdf

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OSD’s SBEP Participation Requirements and Updated Contract Language

5 SMALL BUSINESS ENCOURAGEMENT PROGRAM (SBEP)

Per School Board policy 6320.02 - Supplier Development-Small Business Encouragement Program, 6320.02 - Supplier Development | Hillsborough County Public Schools, The School Board is committed to doing business with contractors, vendors, and other suppliers who reflect the growing range of small businesses in our community. It is the policy of the Board to advocate and encourage small business utilization through the Office of Supplier Development’s Small Business Encouragement Program (SBEP). SBEP seeks to identify and enable the participation of any certified small local businesses in every aspect of the Board’s procurement activities.

The Small Business Encouragement Program (SBEP) is gender/race neutral and is open to any certified small, local business that meets the eligibility requirements as outlined by the designated certifying agencies approved by the Office of Supplier Development (OSD).

The Board’s expectation is that a minimum reinvestment of 20% of the district’s net eligible expenditures will be spent with identified certified small businesses located in the Tampa Bay area, as defined as part of the Tampa Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area.

5.1.1 The Office of Supplier Development (OSD): The Office of Supplier Development (OSD) registers locally certified small businesses that wish to participate in Hillsborough County Public Schools’ (HCPS) Small Business Encouragement Program (SBEP). The SBEP serves as a tool to measure HCPS’s engagement with certified small local businesses in the Tampa Bay area.

To support this initiative, HCPS encourages its contractors to utilize businesses registered with the OSD, thereby contributing to the District’s small business reinvestment goals. HCPS expects the participation of OSD-registered SBEP trade partners in the delivery of goods and services. When third-party agreements are necessary to fulfill contract requirements, HCPS recommends selecting trade partners who are registered with the OSD under the SBEP.

It is important to note that only companies that are both locally certified as small businesses and meet the criteria of the SBEP are eligible for participation and/or recognition under the program. A searchable directory of registered vendors is available at: OSD's SBEP Vendor Directory. HCPS will only accept vendors listed as registered SBEP participants on this website.

Bid Submission Requirements:

Bidders must include a copy of their SBEP registration certificate issued by the Office of Supplier Development with their bid submission. Bidders must clearly indicate whether and how third-party vendors will be incorporated into the contract.

If a bidder intends to utilize OSD-registered SBEP trade partners as secondary or tertiary subcontractors, supporting documentation must be provided. This information will become part of the executed contract with HCPS, and the contractor agrees to submit regular updates as mutually agreed upon with the OSD Supplier Development Officer.

5.1.2 Subcontractors. The Contractor, as the prime contractor, is solely responsible for all actions taken by its subcontractors and shall bear all liability for the actions of subcontractors under the contract. HCPS must pre-approve each subcontractor and must follow all the Contractor’s requirements herein. All rules and requirements applicable to the Contractor shall apply to all HCPS approved subcontractor(s). The subcontractor includes any organization whom the Contractor utilizes for the provision of goods and services subject to the contract. The Contractor must notify HCPS for prior approval as to the use of any subcontractor.

(1) Subcontractor Participation: The Proposer must identify SBEP utilization expenditures to the HCPS OSD registered SBEP subcontractor(s) that perform a function in the provision of goods or services in the Proposal.

Subcontractor(s) must identify whether they enter second-tier subcontracts with an SBEP sub-contractors to ensure completion of work.

https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/632002-supplier-development https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/632002-supplier-development https://www.myvendorlink.com/agencies/sdhc/vendordirectory

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OSD’s SBEP Participation Requirements and Updated Contract Language

5.1.3 OSD Contacts: Proposers may contact the OSD for additional information:

Office of Supplier Development 4901 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Tampa, FL 33605 T: (813) 635-1240 Email: OSD@hcps.net

5.1.4 Small Business Encouragement (SBE) Program Eligibility

Each business registering as a Small Business Encouragement Program (SBEP) Trade Partner must meet the eligibility requirements as outlined by the designated certifying agencies approved below.

• City of St. Petersburg

• City Of Tampa

• The Florida Business Council (FSMSDC)

• Hillsborough County

• Pinellas County

• State of Florida Certification

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

5.1.5 SBEP Letter of Intent. The Contractor (vendor who will receive payment(s) directly from HCPS) must identify SBE utilization expenditures to HCPS’ OSD-certified SBEP registered subcontractor(s) that perform a function in the provision of bid goods and services. Subcontractor(s) must identify whether they enter second tier subcontracts with an HCPS SBEP sub-contractors to ensure completion of work.

With respect to the proposed subcontract(s) described below, the Contractor promises to compensate the undersigned SBEP(s) ( %) percent of the TOTAL dollar value of this bid or commensurate with actual dollars to be paid by HCPS. A Bidder who claims to utilize HCPS SBEP vendors must sign, below, and list the i) names of all proposed SBEP subcontractors, ii) contact information, and (iii) description of the goods and services to be provided. The parties understand that they will enter into a formal agreement for the goods and services listed herein upon award to the Contractor by the Board or HCPS.

TO BE SIGNED BY EACH IDENTIFIED SBE SUBCONTRACTOR: THE UNDERSIGNED IS CURRENTLY AN OSD- REGISTERED SBE WHO IS PREPARED TO PERFORM THE DESCRIBED PROVISION OF THE GOODS AND SERVICES RELATING TO THIS SOLICITATION. THE SUBCONTRACTOR UNDERSTANDS THAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON BEHALF OF THE CONTRACTOR. HCPS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REMUNERATION ON THE BEHALF OF, OR

MONIES OWED BY THE CONTRACTOR.

mailto:OSD@hcps.net https://stpetegreenhouse.com/sbe/ http://www.tampagov.net/minority-business-development https://fsmsdc.org/sbe-certification/ https://hillsboroughcounty.diversitycompliance.com/ https://pinellascounty.sbecompliance.com/ http://www.dms.myflorida.com/other_programs/office_of_supplier_diversity_osd/ https://certifications.sba.gov/

5 SMALL BUSINESS ENCOURAGEMENT PROGRAM (SBEP)