Local Business Certification Information
On March 9, 2011, the Tallahassee City Commission approved a new local Business Certification Program in an effort to promote the utilization and participation of local businesses in City procurement activities. The Local Business Certification Program is currently a one year pilot program that provides a preference to businesses located in Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson and Wakulla counties. Local businesses who are certified through the program, may receive a preference in City bids and contracting opportunities.
Great News! On May 9, 2012, the Tallahassee City Commission revisited the local Business Certification Program and extended it for approximately 6 more months with the following changes:
A ten percent (10%) preference incentive in City bids/contracting opportunities may be given to Certified Local(LBE-Leon) and Certified Extended Local(ELBE- Gadsden, Wakulla & Jefferson) Businesses, in lieu of the previous twenty (20%) for firms with an LBE or ELBE- Utility certifications. This change places all of our local vendors on a level playing field while continuing to provide local businesses with a preference when competing against non-local businesses for City bid/contracting opportunities.
Businesses owned or controlled in whole or in part by a full-time employee of the City of Tallahassee are now eligible to participate in this program.
To obtain a Local Business Certification application or for more information about the City of Tallahassee Local Business Certification Program, please visit our website or contact the City of Tallahassee's Procurement Services Office at (850) 891-8280.
How to become certified as a Local Business?
Click here to download the local business certification application.
(This form is in Adobe PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat reader to view and print.)
Completed Local Business Certification applications must be sent to :
City of Tallahassee Procurement Services/Vendor Certification Program
300 S. Adams Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Or faxed to:
(850) 891-8796
Thank you for your interest in our new Local Business Certification program with the City of Tallahassee. Our goal is to provide you information and the tools to become certified as a "Local Business" with us.
For more information, please call our Procurement Services department at (850) 891-8280.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of certifications does the City offer my local business?
A local business can apply to the City for one of the following certifications:
A. Local Business Enterprise ("LBE") Certification
LBE certification is available only to a Local Business that has maintained its permanent local place of business within Leon County for at least six (6) months immediately preceding submission of its application for certification.B. Extended Local Business Enterprise ("ELBE") Certification
ELBE certification is available only to a Local Business that has maintained its permanent local place of business within Gadsden, Jefferson or Wakulla County for at least six (6) months immediately preceding submission of its application for certification.
Why should I become certified as a LBE or ELBE if I am already registered as a City Vendor?
Becoming certified is NOT the same thing as becoming registered as a City vendor. In fact, virtually any business seeking to contract with the City can register as a City vendor, regardless of what services that business offers or where it is located. In contrast, certification as a LBE or ELBE requires that a business meet the criteria for participation in the Program and allows the certified business to take advantage of the benefits of the Program.
What are the exceptions?
- Purchases or contracts which are funded, in whole or in part, by a governmental entity if the grants, laws, regulations, or policies governing such funding prohibit application of that preference or goals.
- Purchases made or contracts let under emergency procurement situations as such are defined in the City's Procurement Policies and Procedures.
- Sole source purchases.
- The contract awarding authority determines that application of the preference or goal would result in a contract being awarded to a business without the capacity to perform it.
- Whenever the Manager for Procurement Services determines that sufficient qualified LBEs or ELBEs capable of providing the needed goods or services are not available or that application of this policy with respect to a particular contract would not in the best interest of the City.
- Pilot Programs approved by the City Manager or City Commission.
- Purchases made utilizing cooperative purchasing agreements with other governmental entities or made by way of contracts let by other governmental agencies, all as determined by the Manager for Procurement Services on a case by case basis.
- Whenever application of such preference or policy is precluded by applicable law.
What is the definition of Local Business Joint Venture?
The term "Local Business Joint Venture" shall mean a joint business association of a LBE or ELBE and another business that is formed to carry on a single business activity, which is limited in scope and duration, and that meets all other requirements of the City's Procurement Policy with respect to joint ventures. The LBE or ELBE member must own at least a 50% interest in the joint venture, as verified by the joint venture agreement or other related documentation that may be requested by Procurement Services.
How will certification under this Program affect my certification as a MBE?
A business can be certified both as a MBE and as a LBE or ELBE.
What happens during the certification process?
Once an applicant has submitted the application and such supporting documentation as may be required by Procurement Services, certification review will be completed within thirty (30) working days and the following procedures will apply:
The Local Business Certification Application and supporting documents will be logged in as appropriate. An application will not be processed until the application is complete and all supporting documents required by Procurement Services have been received by that office.
Information provided by the applicant will be verified, as deemed necessary, through telephone contact, site visits, verification of business licenses with appropriate entities, or other appropriate means.When appropriate the verification and review process may include a personal interview with the owners, officers, or employees of the applicant business.
Whenever reasonably required, the Manager of Procurement Services may expand the time for review for up to five (5) additional working days by giving notice to the applicant of such expansion of time.During the review process, the applicant may be required to submit additional information or documentation in support of its application. In such event, Procurement Services will make such request in writing, or by electronic communication, and will provide a time-certain for such submission. The time for review of the application will be tolled during any such period(s), such tolling to begin on the day following delivery of such notice to the applicant and to end on the day after all required information or documentation is delivered to Procurement Services by whatever means may be specified by that office.
What obligations do I have once my business is certified as a LBE or ELBE?
Once an applicant is certified as a LBE or ELBE, that business entity, within five (5) City business days following the effective date of such change, shall deliver written notification to Procurement Services of any change in the business, including its ownership, the type of business entity, its operations, its location, and any change in information previously provided to Procurement Services with respect to its application for certification and its certification under this program. Also, respond to any applicable bids.
What preferences will be given to local businesses in making purchases or awarding contracts?
Bids:
Ten percent (10%) of the total cost may be given to all Certified Local Business Enterprises (LBE-Leon)
Ten percent (10%) of the total cost may be given to all Certified Extended Local Business Enterprises (ELBE-Gadsden, Jefferson, & Wakulla)
Five percent (5%) of the total cost may be given to the Local Joint Venture Business , in which the LBE or ELBE member owns at least 50% interest in the joint venture and using the personnel permanent assigned to the local office.
Request for Proposals:
Points with respect to evaluation of proposals submitted by a Local Business or a Local Business, where the Local Business or the Local Business joint venture member, whichever is applicable, will perform at least 60% of the work under the contract utilizing personnel permanently assigned to its local office, will be set forth in each Request for Proposal. The Manager for Procurement Services shall have the authority to determine the criteria for award of such points and the number of points that can be awarded with respect to evaluation of such proposals. Points awarded with respect to each specific proposal will be determined by the Procurement Specialist assigned to the particular procurement action and will be provided to the evaluation committee for inclusion in the final ranking.
Note: The preferences in award of contracts set forth in this policy may not be applied in addition to other preferences for with a bidder may be eligible. In each instance, the City will apply only the preference that provides the most benefit to the vendor.
Where can I get a list of certified vendors?
You can retrieve a vendor listing by searching the Local Business directory.
How often is the Local Business directory updated?
The local business directory is updated automatically nightly.