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County adopts new Small Business Enterprise thresholds after public feedback
Summary
After outreach and a low response rate to a gross‑receipts survey, Orange County commissioners voted 6–1 to adopt staff‑recommended SBE certification thresholds (construction $13.1M; professional/goods/services largely $7M) and directed staff to implement the new SBE policies.
The Board of County Commissioners on March 24 voted to adopt a new, race‑neutral Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program and certified thresholds following a series of public webinars, listening sessions and a county survey.
Staff presented three threshold options developed after outreach to more than 18,000 businesses and 46 stakeholders. Option 1 — the staff recommendation and the option ultimately adopted — sets the gross‑receipts caps for certification at $13.1 million for construction and $7 million for professional services, goods and services (services $5.7M in one set). Staff said the thresholds aligned with neighboring local programs and supported reciprocity with the City of Orlando when its program is finalized.
Commissioners debated higher versus lower thresholds and the low survey response (105 respondents, roughly 0.56% of invitees) before voting 6‑1 in favor of the staff recommendation. Commissioner Wilson — who voted yes on the final motion — stressed the vote included a one‑year implementation review and continued outreach to help smaller firms build capacity through mentoring and procurement training.
Staff said the SBE program will open a certification portal, begin outreach to chambers and small‑business partners, and roll out a mentor‑protégé program. A future report back will return to the board to report results and adjustments recommended after the first year of implementation.
Commissioners also approved a related resolution delegating authority to finalize the SBE policies and direct staff to prepare solicitation templates and procurement updates tied to the program.
The county did not reconfigure its procurement ordinance set‑aside limits but approved a direct‑award opportunity for small certified firms for lower‑value purchases (up to the department‑level threshold in procurement code).
