Amending Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Contracts and Procurement," by amending Section 17-109, entitled "Local Bidding Preferences," to expand the criteria for obtaining certification as a "Local Business Entity" for purposes of competitive bidding on City contracts, under certain terms and conditions.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

TITLE 17. CONTRACTS AND PROCUREMENT

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§ 17-109. Local Bidding Preferences

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(3) Certification.

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(b) The Commissioner shall certify a Business Entity as a Local Business Entity if the Commissioner determines:

(i) That the Business Entity, during the preceding 12 months, has filed a business income and receipts tax return with the City establishing that the contractor conducted business within the City within the calendar year preceding the filing of the return.

(ii) That during the preceding eighteen (18) months the Business Entity

has met the requirements of subsection (A) hereof, as well as the requirements of both (B) and (C); or has met the requirements of subsections (A) and (D)

:

(A) Has continuously maintained a valid commercial activity license and all other licenses and permits necessary to conduct business with the City;

(B) Has continuously occupied an office within the City, where business is conducted; and

(C) Satisfies at least one of the following requirements:

(.1) More than half of the Business Entity's full-time employees work in the City at least sixty percent of the time;

(.2) More than fifty of the Business Entity's full-time employees work in the City at least sixty percent of the time; or

(.3) The Business Entity's principal place of business is located in the City.

(c) If a Business Entity's principal place of business is not located in the City, then the Commissioner, prior to certifying the Business Entity as a Local Business Entity, shall:

(i) Require the Business Entity to provide employment and other data necessary to establish that the Business Entity has met the requirements for certification; and

(ii) In the absence of documentation demonstrating the existence of an office within the City of Philadelphia,

or demonstrating that the requirements of subsection 17-109(3)(b)(ii)(D) have been met,

conduct a site inspection of the Business Entity's offices within the City.

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Explanation:

[Brackets] indicate matter deleted.

Italics

indicate new matter added.

End