Welcome to the Office of Supplier Development (OSD)
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The Office of Supplier Development (OSD) is a team that assists and encourages local certified small businesses seeking procurement opportunities at Hillsborough County Public Schools. The OSD does this through the following functions:
- provide guidance on doing business with the Hillsborough County Public Schools;
- inform businesses about upcoming contract opportunities;
- advocate for the continued growth and success of certified local small businesses;
- plan, host, and support local business events targeted to small businesses;
- provide education and other resources to help increase the use of small businesses
Businesses can access resources, bidding opportunities, and training. The OSD offers guidance on procurement and contractual opportunities to aid in your growth and success.
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Eligibilty
Small Business Encouragement (SBE) Program Eligibility
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Each business registering as a Small Business Encouragement Program (SBEP) Trade Partner must meet the following eligibility standards:
- Must be an independent business with an office in one of the following Tampa Bay area counties:
Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk or Sarasota. - Must have been in business for at least one (1) year prior to application.
- Maximum Employees: 100
- Maximum Average Net Income: $2,000,000
- Maximum Net Worth: $3,000,000
- Must be certified as a Small Business, Woman-Owned Business, Minority-Owned Business and/or a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business with one of the agencies listed below. Only one small business certification is needed.
Note: If you are submitting a Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC) certificate, it must be accompanied by a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification from one of the approved agencies listed.
- Must be an independent business with an office in one of the following Tampa Bay area counties:
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Benefits
Small Business Encouragement (SBE) Program Benefits
What are the benefits of becoming an approved OSD Vendor with the District?
- Pre-bid Notifications
- 14 Day Pay Turn Around
- Direct Deposit
- Accounts Receivable Line of Credit
- Small Business Request Form Access
- Business Development Assistance
- Pre-project Briefings/ Networking Opportunities
- Dispute Resolution Procedure
- Assist Board with Verification of Taxpayer Dollar Reinvestment
- Small Business Encouragement (SBE) Program Vendor Directory Accessible by District Principals, Departments & Area Governmental Agencies
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Registration Steps
Small Business Encouragement Program (SBEP) Registration Steps
To do business with the District you must be registered on VendorLink. In addition, to participate in the District's Small Business Encouragement Program, you must complete the certification questions. To register, please complete the steps below:
- Go to VendorLink.
- Click on the Vendor Registration tab.
- The fields marked with a red asterisk are required. Have your company's Tax ID Number, Remittance/Payment Contact Information on hand.
- Please complete your primary contact, business information and Remittance/Payment Contact Information.
- The following fields are required and must be filled in: Number of Employees, Net Worth, Net Income, Number of Years in Business, FEIN/SSN, and Business Entity Type,
- Choose your Commodity Code(s) from the listing of services.
- Agencies: To be considered for the HCPS Small Business Encouragement Program (SBEP) you may select only free agencies, but you must select Hillsborough County Public Schools. There will be four (4) additional questions to answer at the end of this page. Click Submit when you have completed answering the questions.
- Go to the SLVMP (MBE, SBE, etc.) Tab.
- Select any of the programs in which the vendor/company meets the criteria by clicking the orange headers and click the Hillsborough Public Schools category.
- Please complete the Race, Ethnicity and Gender selections. Scroll up and select submit.
- Go to the Files (W-9, W-8, etc.) tab, under Contents select Agency Requested Files to upload all required documentation: HCPS Substitute W9, current Business Tax Receipt and must have a Certification as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE). Only companies that are small, certified, and meet the District’s Encouragement Program criteria are eligible for participation and/or recognition in the District’s Small Business Encouragement Program (SBEP). Must certified from one of the approved agencies: State of Florida, City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, City of St. Petersburg (SBE Certification only), Pinellas County, Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (Only one certification is required.)
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OSD Lab
OSD Lab
The Office of Supplier Development brings local certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) procedural assistance for the growth and success in the community. The “OSD Lab” provides small business owners with a great opportunity to learn more and ask questions about the technical support while maneuvering through MyVendorLink.com and seeking education resources related to procurement bidding opportunities with Hillsborough County Public Schools, as well as receive one-on-one assistance.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop or device to in-person sessions to aid in assistance.Lab Dates: VendorLink OverviewSecond Tuesday of each month Virtual 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fourth Tuesday of each month In-Person 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m .
Lab Dates: Bid/Proposal Overview
Second Thursday of each month Virtual 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fourth Thursday of each month In-Person 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
OSD Newsletter
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Sign up to keep up to date with Upcoming Master Classes, Pre-Bid briefings, and latest OSD News.
