Supplier Diversity Digest: A newsletter from the Office of Supplier Diversity
June 2018
Happy New Year!

We know what you’re thinking—it’s too hot outside to be winter, and we are still six months away from 2019. So what new year are we celebrating? We’re glad you asked, because as a small business, the state’s fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) is important and should be marked on your calendar. During this time, state agencies are planning for purchases and continuing to seek the best value in goods and services. Before you approach a state agency, research and utilize these resources:
1.  90-Day Spend Plans : View 90-day spend plans for potential upcoming bid opportunities as well as past-quarter spending patterns of state agencies.
2.  DFS FACTS : Conduct research on current and past State of Florida contracts on the Department of Financial Services’ Florida Accountability Tracking System
3.  MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) : Click here to see MFMP’s fiscal year-end resources. And don’t forget that you can view and submit proposals for business opportunities from the State of Florida via MFMP’s Vendor Bid System
4.  Current Bid Opportunities : Visit this page to view bid announcements from cities, counties, universities, colleges, and more.
Register Now

Tired of cold-calling and playing phone tag as you seek new work? Save yourself time and trouble, and attend our FREE Supplier Diversity Exchanges, where you can network and meet directly with state, federal, local, and county buyers during one-on-one appointments. Register now for these upcoming Supplier Diversity Exchanges:

July 31, 2018, Orlando Supplier Diversity Exchange: Event Info Register Here

August 23, 2018, Broward Supplier Diversity Day: Event Info Register Here
Small Business Update
Provided by the Florida SBDC Network

In December, the Florida Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) Government Contracting Services were rebranded to meet the Defense Logistics Agency’s recognition requirements. As such, government contracting services are now offered through Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs).

Florida PTAC procurement specialists are co-located at Florida SBDC regional offices across the state. At no-cost to you, these procurement specialists provide high-value, confidential consulting to help businesses—small or large, profit or nonprofit—research and bid on government contracts from the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, state and local agencies, and prime contractors. Procurement specialists also provide access to the organization’s Bid Match system, which searches thousands of public procurement databases to send targeted email updates with potential contract opportunities.

Florida PTACs also sponsor government contracting and matchmaker events to connect business owners with agency buying officers and prime contractors. Additionally, Florida PTACs offer a wide range of government contracting workshops each year that address topics such as introduction to government contracting, small business registrations, proposal and bid writing tips and techniques, marketing to the government, finding contracting opportunities, and more. To learn more about how the Florida PTAC can help you, visit www.FPTAC.org .
Provided by the Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business Development
 
At the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council’s Business Expo held on April 6, FACSMBD Chair Jay Narang participated in a panel titled, "How Rapidly Changing Technologies Influence the Way We Do Business." He also networked with Auto Nation Purchasing Director Jack Greene, Department of Management Services Chief Procurement Officer Roz Ingram, and Office of Supplier Diversity Executive Director Hue Reynolds at the expo (pictured above).
In addition to providing tools for veterans to take advantage of the benefits of living and working in the Sunshine State, Veterans Florida celebrates and highlights veteran-owned businesses. Take a break and view “Real Veterans. Real Success.,” videos on Veterans Florida’s YouTube channel . The channel features inspiring real-life stories as well as other informational videos.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Small Business Programs
The Department of Economic Opportunity offers many programs to help small businesses, including loans, loan guarantees, tax credits, and technical assistance. Review these helpful programs here .
Opportunity Zones
This April, Governor Scott announced his recommendation to designate 427 communities across every Florida county as Low Tax Opportunity Zones. Low Tax Opportunity Zones, as established in the federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, encourage long-term investment and job creation in targeted communities by reducing taxes for many job creators.

Click here to see if your community has been nominated as an Opportunity Zone and to view more program information.
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The content of this newsletter is intended to serve as informational only. It should not be construed as business advice or an endorsement of any particular organization by the Office of Supplier Diversity or the Florida Department of Management Services.