Tampa includes VOSBs and SDVOSBs in city procurement

FL News - Published Nov 12, 2020

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced on Veteran's Day that veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) would be formally recognized and identified in the City's procurement policies and practices.

The City's procurement policies and practices, made through the City Equal Business Opportunity Division, already include women-owned businesses (WBEs), minority-owned businesses (MBEs), small local businesses (SLBEs), and LGBT-owned businesses (LGBTBEs). The executive order ensures usage of VOSBs and SDVOSBs can now be tracked and have opportunties promoted for them more systematically. For counting such businesses, the City will recognize the State of Florida Department of Management Services Office of Supplier Diversity's VOSB and SDVOSB certifications.

"Our veteran-owned businesses are an inspiration to us all," Mayor Castor said in a video statement released by the City.

Read the executive order at https://atg.tampagov.net/sirepub/cache/2/4vpaa1irsqbgfezqqwugmqck/499878211122020041448862.PDF