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JAXPORT’s growth creates BIG opportunity for small business

[ November 23, 2016   //   ]

JAXPORT payments for work by certified Jacksonville Small and Emerging Businesses (JSEB) have topped $12.4 million over the past three years, accounting for an average of 12 percent of the port’s overall contract payments per year. Recently, the JAXPORT Board of Directors approved a multi-year contract with JSEB-certified JAX Supply & Service Solution, Inc., for janitorial services at all of JAXPORT’s facilities. The three-year contract, valued at $179,280 annually, carries two additional one-year renewal options.

JAXPORT is committed to promoting equal access to all capital and procurement contracts while contributing to Northeast Florida’s economic growth. The continued growth of the port and cargo volumes offer the prospects for further JSEB opportunities.

The largest JSEB project of 2016 was performed by Jacksonville-based Moducomm Construction. Moducomm earned $754,165.34 as a subcontractor on a major capital project rehabilitating the Blount Island Marine Terminal in preparation for the placement of JAXPORT’s new 100-gauge container cranes.

In addition to construction, other JSEB contracts were awarded in 2016 for architectural/engineering services, graphic design, landscaping, surveying and mapping, professional staffing, security, printing and more.

Last year, Jacksonville-based Construction and Engineering Services Consultants, Inc. (C&ES) was awarded a multi-year Construction Management and Inspection Services contract, becoming the first JSEB selected as a prime contraction for port projects.

JAXPORT hosts numerous outreach events aimed at preparing small businesses to navigate the port’s contracting process. The results have been positive, according to Yetunde Oyewole, Coordinator of JAXPORT’s Small and Emerging Business Programs. “As a result of our outreach activities, we have seen an increase in both the total number of small businesses and the number of first time bidders. For instance, we received seven conforming proposals for the janitorial services contract. This was the first time six of those companies had bid on any JAXPORT project.”

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