The Broward County Board of County Commissioners developed the County Business Enterprise (CBE) program to increase participation of small businesses in County projects as both prime contractors and subcontractors. The Broward County Business Opportunity Act of 2012, amended on May 9, 2018, establishes a minimum goal of at least 25% CBE participation for all eligible County procurement contracts (with certain exceptions including where such goal would be prohibited by applicable law and with regard to contracts where goals are set under the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, and the Broward County Small Business Enterprise (SBE) or Sheltered Market programs).
With regard to projects funded with the Broward Penny for Transportation surtax, adopting a 30% CBE participation goal, and ensuring that appropriate contracts are awarded to SBE firms, would further critical County small business and economic development goals and ensure that all businesses, including small businesses and businesses owned by women or minorities, will have a fair opportunity to participate in the projects funded by the surtax. According to the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy report, public agencies and the private sector in Florida spend less than 1% of their procurement expenditures contracting with minority owned businesses. Expanding the goal will allow for a more inclusive and robust local economy.
This discussion supports the following Commission Goal under the Vision Statement addressing “Ensuring economic opportunities for Broward’s diverse population and businesses.”
Goal 4: Utilize policies and strategies to create employment opportunities and supports for economically disadvantaged members of the community (e.g., Workforce Investment Program, quality and affordable child care, trainee and internship opportunities tied to Skills Gap Assessment by Alliance, better collaboration with colleges and universities, and construction projects using small and certified businesses).
|