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Veteran Business Enterprise Preference in State Contracting

A certified veteran-owned business wins a tied state contract bid. Florida Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunity Act.

Verified August 15, 2026

What this benefit is

The Florida Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunity Act gives a certified veteran-owned business the win on a tied state contract bid.

What it's worth: Preference on tied state contract bids, plus a listing in the state directory

  • The preference is a tie-breaker: it applies when bids are equal on price, quality and service.
  • Where several preference-eligible businesses tie, the contract goes to the one with the smallest net worth.
  • Political subdivisions are encouraged, not required, to offer a similar preference.

Who is entitled to it

  • A business at least 51% owned by wartime or service-disabled veterans, and managed by them.
  • Independently owned and operated, with no more than 200 permanent full-time employees.
  • Net worth of $5 million or less, and domiciled in Florida.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

The thing most people get wrong

A tie-breaker, not a set-aside

The preference bites only when bids are already equal on price, quality and service. Where several preference-eligible businesses tie, it goes to the one with the smallest net worth. Worth certifying for — but it is not a route to contracts on its own.

How to claim it

  1. 1Certify the business as a veteran business enterprise with the state.
  2. 2Once certified you appear in the state electronic directory.
  3. 3Claim the preference when you bid.
File with
Florida Department of Management Services
Documents you will need
dd214 · proof of ownership · financial statements
Periodic

Common mistakes that cost people this benefit

  • Expecting a reserved share of contracts. There is none.
  • Not certifying before bidding — the preference and the directory listing both depend on it.
Worth knowingThis is a tie-breaker, not a set-aside. It only bites when your bid is already equal on price, quality and service — worth certifying for, but not a route to contracts on its own.

Questions people ask

Do counties and cities have to offer this too?
No. Political subdivisions are encouraged to offer a similar preference, not required to.

Sources

Why only one source type: The statute establishes the preference and the certification. A DMS operating page has not been captured and hashed.

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.