Last quarter's newsletter (PTAC Section) spoke about a federal government contracting method with the U S General Services Administrations (GSA) via the Federal Supply Service (FSS) Schedules. The GSA program enables vendors to establish pre-negotiated contracts to do business with the federal government. This contracting method, however, is not restricted to the federal government.
The State of Florida maintains a program much like the GSA's program called SNAPS II, which is an acronym for State Negotiated Agreement Price Schedule. Much like the FSS Schedules used by the federal government, the SNAPS II program is used by Florida State Agencies, Local Government entities and other eligible users. SNAPS II provides the state an opportunity to evaluate commodities and contractual services to determine the feasibility of establishing State Term Contracts. The advantage to the vendors is one pre-negotiated contract for all state and eligible local entities to use. (SNAPS II agreements are not issued for items or services available from existing State Term Contracts.)
The intent of SNAPS II is to provide for the gradual improvement and access to economic growth opportunities with the expectation that the small businesses will achieve designated financial goals and "graduate" into the competitive corporate arena. Basically, the process works like this. A business must anticipate that it can do a certain amount of sales volume with the State of Florida in its industry, meet the threshold requirements, exercise its 4 option years and graduate into a State Term Contract.
The SNAPS II application consists of an application, signature by an authorized individual within the company, service area designation, and warranty statement. The nine-page application, (6 of these are information) becomes the contract when fully executed. A vendor is required to show proof of VISA purchase card acceptance upon submission of the application. A prospective vendor must be a Department of Management Services registered vendor with the State of Florida and have the SPURS (State Purchasing) vendor number. The vendor must also be registered with the Florida Department of State through the fictitious name filing or as a Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation, or Limited Partnership, etc.
If you have any questions about filing or obtaining the application, you may contact your local PTAC office at 239-225-4218 and ask for Sharon O'Hara. Free classes will be held to provide an overview of the SNAPS II program on January 14, February 11, and March 11 of 2003. Call 239-225-4220 for location and times. Immediately following the SNAPS II class, information will be provided concerning a new State of Florida Minority Business Loan Mobilization Program.
