MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE) PARTICIPATION,
CONDITIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS
It is the official position of the University of North Florida (UNF) to recognize the challenge by the Governor of Florida to reach out to minority businesses and to develop business partnerships as the means to increase minority business spending without the use of unfair and divisive race/gender based purchasing practices of the past. The University is fully committed to the implementation of its approved Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program.
MBE Obligation – Contractors are strongly encouraged to make all efforts reasonably necessary to ensure that minority owned business enterprises have a full and fair opportunity to compete for performance on UNF projects. Contractors shall not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin or gender in the award and performance of work under UNF contracts.
Certification – Firms desiring to participate as a Minority Business Enterprise on UNF projects or contracts should be duly certified by a recognized certifying agency such as the City of Jacksonville, Office of Supplier Diversity, or a member of the Florida Unified Certification Program (FUCP) to name a few.
Contract Award – UNF proposes to award contracts to the most responsible contractor submitting a responsive bid/proposal that is most advantageous and in the best interests of UNF provided the contractor has acknowledged UNF’s position to include MBE participation.
Good Faith Efforts - Contractors are required to indicate in writing all efforts that would tend to demonstrate good faith in the solicitation of MBE Subcontractors. The following criteria are indicative of good faith efforts to solicit MBE firms:
a)
Whether the contractor attended any pre-solicitation or pre-proposal meetings that were scheduled to inform MBE firms of contracting and subcontracting opportunities;
b) Whether the contractor advertised in general circulation, trade
association, and minority focus
media concerning the
subcontracting opportunities;
c)
Whether the contractor followed up initial
solicitations
of
interest by contacting MBE firms to
determine with
certainty
whether these MBE firms were interested in
participating in the
project;
d) Whether the contractor selected portions of the work to be
performed by MBE firms to increase the likelihood of
participation;
e)
Whether the contractor provided interested MBE firms with adequate information about the plans, specifications and requirements of the project;
f) Whether the contractor negotiated in good faith with interested MBE firms and not rejecting MBE firms as unqualified without sound reasons based on a thorough investigation of their capabilities;
g) Whether the contractor made efforts to assist interested MBE firms in obtaining bonding, lines of credit, or insurance required by the contractor, and;
h) Whether contractor sought or used the services of available MBE community organizations, minority contractors’ groups, Local, State and Federal MBE assistance offices, and other organizations that provide assistance in the recruitment and placement of MBE firms.
MBE Monthly Report Form -Contractors will complete and submit a monthly summary of actual MBE participation, listing total payments to the subcontractor during the month and the total amount of MBE participation using this form. Contractors are required to maintain records of the MBE summaries for three (3) years.
Links of interest...
