Selection of the Preferred Gross Receipt Option; approval and execution of Resolution the Orange County Board of County Commissioners regarding adoption of Orange County Business Development Division Small Business Enterprise Program Policies and Procedures Manual; and direction to staff to make any revisions to the Small Business Enterprise Program Policies and Procedures Manual to reflect the selected Preferred Gross Receipt Option. (Business Development Division)

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners is finalizing the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program by selecting a preferred annual gross receipt threshold for business certification and adopting the program's Policies and Procedures Manual. This program was established by Ordinance No. 2025-22 on July 15, 2025, following the suspension of the previous Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) program due to federal directives prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The SBE program is designed to be race- and gender-neutral.

Key Provisions:

• Certification: Businesses must be domiciled in the Orlando Metropolitan Statistical Area (Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Lake counties), have fewer than 100 employees, and meet specific gross receipt thresholds.
• Compliance: The Business Development Division (BDD) will monitor contract compliance, including subcontracting goals and prompt payment requirements (subcontractors must be paid within 72 hours of the prime contractor receiving payment from the County).
• Enforcement: The County may impose sanctions for non-compliance, including breach of contract, forfeiture of payments, and potential referral for prosecution.

Gross Receipt Options Considered:

• Option 1 (FDOT Alignment): Construction $13.1M, Professional Services $7M, Goods $7M, Services $5.7M.
• Option 2: Construction $13.1M, Professional Services $10M, Goods $10M, Services $10M.
• Option 3: Construction $25M, Professional Services $10M, Goods $10M, Services $10M.

Timeline:

• March 24, 2026: Resolution 2026-M-13 adoption.
• March 2026: Certification portal opens.
• August 1, 2026: Full SBE program implementation begins.