SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM FOR PROCUREMENT OF GOODS, SERVICES, AND CONSTRUCTION

Fort Worth City Code ch. 21

in effect

Fort Worth City Code § 21-1 PURPOSE.

§ 21-1 PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to foster competition, expand the supplier base, and promote and encourage the participation of small business firms in the city's contracting opportunities. (Ord. 27832-08-2025, § 1, passed 8-5-2025, eff. 9-1-2025)

Fort Worth City Code § 21-2 DEFINITIONS.

§ 21-2 DEFINITIONS. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section. PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS. A facility that is fully operational and has sufficient equipment, supplies and personnel to provide the product or service of the business in question to clients without significant reliance on the resources of another entity or affiliate, or of an auxiliary facility. A location utilized solely as a post office box, mail drop or telephone message center or any combination thereof, without no other substantial function, shall not be construed as a principal place of business. SMALL BUSINESS. A business entity that is located in Tarrant, Wise, Johnson, Parker or Denton County and that holds certification as a small business from an organization approved by the city manager. (Ord. 27832-08-2025, § 1, passed 8-5-2025, eff. 9-1-2025)

Fort Worth City Code § 21-3 CITY MANAGER AUTHORITY.

§ 21-3 CITY MANAGER AUTHORITY. The city manager shall implement and enforce this chapter and may establish such rules, regulations, or procedures, not inconsistent with this chapter, other city ordinances, and state and federal laws or regulations, as the city manager determines are necessary to discharge any duty under or to effect the purpose of this chapter. (Ord. 27832-08-2025, § 1, passed 8-5-2025, eff. 9-1-2025)

Fort Worth City Code § 21-4 SMALL BUSINESS PREFERENCE.

§ 21-4 SMALL BUSINESS PREFERENCE. (a) For procurements for contracts of $100,000.00 or less, each small business that has a principal place of business within the corporate limits of the city and submits a bid will be evaluated as though its bid price were 5% less than the amount bid, and will be scored based on that preference. The city will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder after preference adjustments. (b) The awarded contract will be in the amount actually bid and not based upon any deduction used for evaluation purposes. (Ord. 27832-08-2025, § 1, passed 8-5-2025, eff. 9-1-2025)

Fort Worth City Code § 21-5 SMALL BUSINESS GOALS.

§ 21-5 SMALL BUSINESS GOALS. (a) For contracts over $100,000.00, the city manager shall set a goal for the percent of work to be performed by small businesses, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. (b) The small business goal may be met by: (1) Self -performance by a small business; or (2) Documentation demonstrating the use of small business contractors. (c) This section does not apply to contracts which the city determines there are insufficient subcontracting opportunities available. (Ord. 27832-08-2025, § 1, passed 8-5-2025, eff. 9-1-2025)

Fort Worth City Code § 21-6 TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS; CHAPTER 380 GRANT AGREEMENTS.

§ 21-6 TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS; CHAPTER 380 GRANT AGREEMENTS. Small business requirements for tax abatement agreements and Chapter 380 grant agreements shall be made in accordance with the Tax Abatement Policy and Chapter 380 Grant Agreement Policy as adopted or approved by the Fort Worth city council. (Ord. 27832-08-2025, § 1, passed 8-5-2025, eff. 9-1-2025)

Fort Worth City Code § 21-7 EXCEPTIONS.

§ 21-7 EXCEPTIONS. This chapter does not apply to: (a) Contracts exempt from competitive procurement under Tex. Local Government Code § 252.022; (b) Professional services subject to procurement under Tex. Government Code Chapter 2254; (c) Community facilities agreements, infrastructure construction agreements, and any other similar agreements relating to the construction of public infrastructure or a public building by a developer if the city's participation in the agreement is less than $1,000,000.00; (d) Emergency contracts; or (e) Contracts in which, due to the use of state or federal funding, the state or federal government establishes participation requirements related to the types of businesses performing work under the contract. (Ord. 27832-08-2025, § 1, passed 8-5-2025, eff. 9-1-2025)

Source: City of Fort Worth, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Zoning Ordinance (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ftworth/latest/ftworth_tx/0-0-0-23748Fetched: 10/26/2026