The proposed enhancements to the Savannah Business Opportunity (SBO) program aim to increase participation in City procurement by Local Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (LDBEs). The amended program requires that, for eligible contracts, no less than 10% of the annually-established DBE goal be met through participation by certified disadvantaged businesses located within the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Bryan, Chatham, and Effingham counties in Georgia. 

On September 28, 2017, City Council approved the SBO program in order to increase utilization of local and disadvantaged small businesses in all areas of City procurement. The Savannah Business Enterprise (SBE) component of the program allows Savannah-based businesses that meet required revenue and employee thresholds to participate in sheltered City contracts. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) portion of the program establishes a cumulative annual participation goal (18% for 2018) in order to increase subcontracting opportunities on City contracts for DBEs certified at the state and federal level.

If the proposed enhancements are approved, eligible City contracts will stipulate that no less than 10% of the contract’s DBE goal must be met by subcontracting with LDBEs. The policy would go into effect 30 days after Council adoption.

Approval