Water district hosting small business open house

The South Florida Water Management District is hosting an open house event for small businesses interested in learning about the district's procurement process and its Small Business Enterprise Program.

The open house, titled "How to do Business with the District," will give small business owners and executives the opportunity to interact with contract specialists and purchasing agents during one-on-one sessions. The event will be held Tuesday, June 30, from 9 a.m. to noon at Big Cypress Basin Service Center, Poinciana Professional Park, 2640 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples.

The SBE Program gives small businesses additional preferences during the District's solicitation process. The rule that created the Program includes provisions for bid equalization, sheltered markets, points for SBE participation in proposals and SBE subcontract participation goals. A participating firm must be certified by the District and demonstrate that its three-year average gross receipts, together with those of its affiliates, do not exceed $13 million for construction, $5 million for commodities and $6 million for services.