You Are Here : Home / Doing Business/ Bids and Solicitations / How To Do Business

How To Do Business

Welcome to Osceola County, Florida - where business growth and success are our top priorities.

Here, you'll find all the resources and support you need to navigate the local business landscape.

Vendor Requirements

To be eligible for a contract with Osceola County, vendors must fulfill the following prerequisites:

Maintain Active Status with the Department of State Division of Corporations
Possess valid Business Tax Receipts
Provide a Certificate of Insurance (amounts specified in each solicitation)
Hold all necessary federal, state, and local licenses and permits to effectively deliver the services outlined in the contract

View A Previous Vendor Rally Presentation(PDF, 936KB)

Types of Solicitations

Here's a streamlined version of the procurement methods in Osceola County:

Invitation to Bid (ITB): We use a publicly advertised ITB for one-time purchases over $50,000. The award goes to the bidder who meets all requirements and offers the lowest price.
Request for Proposals (RFP): For complex solicitations, we use RFPs. Selection is based on qualifications, experience, and price.
Professional Services (PS): For services like Engineering, Architecture, Land Surveying, and Landscape Architecture, we follow Florida State Statute Section 287.055, the Consultant's Competitive Negotiations Act (CCNA).
Request for Quotations (RFQ): For purchases under $50,000, we use RFQs, which can be solicited via phone, fax, or written quotes.
Small Purchases: For purchases under $1,000, we typically use the County's Procurement Card.

Responding to Solicitations

Osceola County uses various solicitation methods. All responses are publicly opened at a specified date, time, and location, as detailed in the solicitation. They are subject to Florida's Open Government Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes).

Here's a simple guide to responding to solicitations:

Understand: Carefully read the solicitation document and adhere to all instructions.
Organize: Ensure all contents are in the recommended/required order.
Deliver: Submit your response on time. Avoid last-minute overnight deliveries; if delivering personally, leave early. Late responses will not be considered and will be rejected.

All solicitation response openings are open to the public. All submittals are subject to a detailed evaluation by the County before a recommendation of an award is made to the Board of County Commissioners.

View Our Videos for Conducting Business in Osceola