Prime contractors must now report payments made to small business subcontractors.
By STEVE HUETTEL
Published May 21, 2003
TAMPA - The Tampa Port Authority board made it easier Tuesday for small companies to do business with the agency.
The changes were sparked by complaints last year that businesses owned by African-Americans weren't getting a fair share of contracts from the authority and other public agencies in Hillsborough County.
Under a new policy, the port authority will consolidate all contracting and purchasing through a single office. The agency also will designate a manager to help small businesses bid on contracts and get hired as subcontractors.
The port authority previously asked companies bidding as prime contractors to say what percentage of the work would be performed by small business subcontractors. But officials acknowledged they didn't always follow up on whether the companies met that "expectation."
Now, the agency will include the percentage in the contract and require prime contractors to report payments made to small business subcontractors and the work they performed. The authority will keep a list of small businesses seeking work at the port and notify them of upcoming contract bids.
Also, the port director can recommend that the board allow only small businesses to bid on certain contracts and waive performance and payment bonds for small businesses.
