FL S1142

Creates section 287.0577, F.S., establishing small business participation requirements for state agency contracting, defining "small business" as an independently owned Florida entity with 50 or fewer full-time employees and average annual gross sales not exceeding $5 million for licensed contractors, $500,000 for sole proprietors with professional licenses, or $1 million for other businesses.

Requires state agencies to avoid unnecessary contract bundling and, when bundling is necessary, to conduct market research and include written summaries and analyses justifying the bundling in solicitation documents.

Mandates agencies award at least 35 percent of total annual contract dollar amounts to small businesses directly or as subcontractors, with prime contractors required to subcontract at least 35 percent of gross contract amounts to in-state small businesses.

Prohibits agencies, general contractors, and prime contractors from requiring bid bonds, performance bonds, or other sureties for contracts not exceeding $500,000, and requires subcontractors be paid within 15 calendar days of invoice receipt.

Directs the rules ombudsman in the Executive Office of the Governor to establish a tracking and reporting system on small business participation in state contracting and provide annual compliance reports to the Governor, Cabinet, and Legislature beginning February 1 of each year, effective July 1, 2013.