Florida Senate - 2013                                    SB 1124
       
       
       
       By Senator Altman
       
       
       
       
       16-01166-13                                           20131124__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to veteran preference in state
    3         purchasing; amending s. 295.187, F.S.; requiring state
    4         agencies to apply a specific percentage preference to
    5         bids, proposals, or replies from certified veteran
    6         business enterprises; providing an effective date.
    7  
    8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    9  
   10         Section 1. Subsection (4) of section 295.187, Florida
   11  Statutes, is amended to read:
   12         295.187 Florida Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunity
   13  Act.—
   14         (4) VENDOR PREFERENCE.—
   15         (a) A state agency, when considering two or more bids,
   16  proposals, or replies for the procurement of commodities or
   17  contractual services, at least one of which is from a certified
   18  veteran business enterprise, which are equal with respect to all
   19  relevant considerations, including price, quality, and service,
   20  shall apply a 3-percent preference to the first $500,000 of the
   21  bid, proposal, or reply award such procurement or contract to
   22  the certified veteran business enterprise.
   23         (b) An eligible certified veteran business enterprise must
   24  submit a veteran-owned preference form and any required
   25  documentation to be given preference.
   26         (c)(b) Notwithstanding s. 287.057(11), if a veteran
   27  business enterprise entitled to the vendor preference under this
   28  section and one or more businesses entitled to this preference
   29  or another vendor preference provided by law submit bids,
   30  proposals, or replies for procurement of commodities or
   31  contractual services which are equal with respect to all
   32  relevant considerations, including price, quality, and service,
   33  the state agency shall award the procurement or contract to the
   34  business having the smallest net worth.
   35         (d)(c) Political subdivisions of the state are encouraged
   36  to offer a similar consideration to businesses certified under
   37  this section.
   38         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013.