CS/CS/HB 1017 Summary

• Creates section 255.0991 establishing local business preference for competitive bid contracts on construction services, printing services, and goods/contractual services when a local business bid is within 10 percent of the lowest bid or within an established dollar threshold.

• Allows agencies, universities, colleges, school districts, and political subdivisions to offer both local and non-local lowest bidders an opportunity to submit best and final bids, with ties awarded to local businesses.

• Defines "local business" as an entity with principal place of business in Florida for at least 1 year and at least 60 percent of employees residing in the state at contract award time.

• Penalizes businesses that intentionally misrepresent local business qualifications by prohibiting them from claiming local preference status for 2 years.

• Exempts small business contracts, emergency solicitations, single-source purchases, and transportation projects funded with federal aid from local business preference requirements; effective July 1, 2013.