Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

From the City of Tampa:

 NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

For additional information, contact:
Liana Lopez
Public Affairs Director
(813) 274-8251
Liana.Lopez@tampagov.net

Mayor Signs Executive Order
to Increase Opportunity for Small Businesses
to Compete for City Contracts

Tampa, Fla. (May 3, 2007) – Mayor Pam Iorio signed an Executive Order today expanding opportunities for small businesses to better compete for city projects. The new approach utilizes a sheltered market for certified small businesses and includes other initiatives. The sheltered market means that only city-certified small businesses are eligible to compete for projects that have an estimated cost of $200,000 or less.

The new Executive Order is a result of the Disparity Study conducted in 2006 that addressed the availability and utilization of women and minority owned businesses for City of Tampa contracting and procurement activities. The Disparity Study showed no disparity with regard to the city’s utilization of subcontractors. Consequently, the Executive Order encourages the continued use of women and minority subcontractors, but does not require this utilization.

The study did show a disparity with prime contractors and the issuance of the Executive Order is considered an interim measure to address the deficiencies until the mayor recommends an ordinance to the Tampa City Council. The draft ordinance is expected to be submitted to Council later this month.

For additional information, please contact Minority Business Development Manager Gregory Hart at (813) 274-5522.

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