Orlando International Airport Looking To Contract With Veteran Owned Businesses
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Board Enhances Programs for More Business Opportunities with Local Minorities, Small Businesses and Disabled Veterans
ORLANDO, FL. – At the August board meeting of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), the Board approved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) goals at Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport to include more minority business participation in construction and professional services provided for the Authority.
To encourage companies doing business with GOAA to hire more historically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE’s), the goal approved by the FAA and the Board for DBE participation has been increased from 14 to 16 percent. DBE’s are minority / women-owned companies. Recognizing the ever-changing business environment, the Board also expanded the parameters of its small business program to now encompass a new classification, the Service Disabled Veteran Enterprise program.
“Today’s action to expand the Authority’s outreach into the local small business community is the kind of effort that will pay dividends for years to come,” says Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “By opening wider the doors of opportunity to our veterans and small businesses, we are investing in the backbone of the American economy and we are also recognizing and saluting the efforts of our brave men and women who have been injured serving our country and who are now pursuing opportunities as business owners.”
GOAA staff prepared the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goal methodology and held a public meeting on July 8, 2013 at which time the business community was afforded an opportunity to comment. The meeting included women, minority, and majority businesses that are potential and current contractors with the Aviation Authority.
The Aviation Authority identified 17 projects eligible for Airport Improvement Plan (AIP) funding. They include projects for Airfield and Apron improvements including widening, extension and rehabilitation of taxiways, access control improvements and high mast lighting. These projects form the basis of the recommended 16% DBE goal.
“Today’s actions by the Board send a clear message that the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority wants to continue investing in our community and be a partner with local Veterans and small business owners,” says Phil Brown, Executive Director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
The Authority now has five programs in place designed to support small, minority, women and disabled veteran owned businesses: (Two federal and three local) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE), Local Business Development (LDB), Minority / Women Enterprise (MWBE) and Service Disabled Veteran Enterprise (SDVE).
Orlando International Airport and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority have a rich history of supporting the American military. From the early roots of acquiring land from the Air Force to build the current airport complex, to annual celebrations and recognitions of military service and sacrifice, the establishing of a new program to reach out to Veterans who own businesses is just the latest demonstration of military dedication.
###
For more information, contact Carolyn Fennell or Rod Johnson in the Office of Public Affairs at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at 407-825-2055.
