Vendors' Guide

HCC operates five (5) Main Campuses:  Brandon (Tampa), Dale Mabry (Tampa), Plant City, SouthShore (Ruskin), and Ybor City (Historical District of Tampa). Classes are also held at other various community locations such as satellite centers and local high schools.

HCC @ The Regent at 6437 Watson Rd., Riverview, FL 33578-4615 serves as a satellite center for the Brandon Campus.

The HCC Collaboration Studio ("GHCS") at 1602 N. 15th St., Tampa, FL 33605-5046 serves as the Data Center for the Office of Information Technology ("OIT") and houses the Public Dispatch Center for the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management.

The Ybor City Training Center ("YCTC") at 5610 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, FL 33619-1639 serves as a Workforce Development Center for multiple post-secondary adult vocational ("PSAV") programs.

The HCC Education Center at MacDill Air Force Base ("AFB") at 8102 Condor St., Tampa, FL 33621-5408 serves military personnel and civilians. 

The HCC Central Receiving Warehouse is located at the Brandon Campus and is accessible from two (2) different addresses. 

The original address was:
10414 E. Columbus Dr.
Tampa, FL 33619-7856

The new address is:
10451 Nancy Watkins Dr.
Tampa, FL 33619-7836

The Dr. Gwendolyn W. Stephenson District Administration Center ("GWSC") which currently serves as the College's corporate headquarters and houses the centralized College-wide departmental offices.  The adjacent building houses the Institute for Corporate and Continuing Education ("ICCE").  Both are located on Davis Islands near downtown Tampa and are neighbors of Tampa General Hospital.  Both buildings are located at 39 Columbia Dr., Tampa, FL 33606-3584.

Responsibility and authority to make purchases on behalf of Hillsborough Community College is delegated to the HCC Purchasing Department to ensure compliance with applicable provisions of Florida Statutes and the Florida State Board of Education's Administrative Rules and Regulations. Only the College’s designated purchasing agents in the HCC Purchasing Department have the authority to purchase goods and services and to commit HCC to payment for goods and services. This includes all contacts with Vendors regarding price, delivery, quantity requirements, or other matters of a contractual nature.

College employees may only purchase items within the guidelines of the HCC Purchasing Card Program with a P‐Card or by placing orders under a valid, existing HCC Blanket Purchase Order ("BPO"). Orders placed against any existing BPO should never cumulatively exceed its total dollar amount. Total dollar amounts may only be increased or decreased via a written change order to the BPO issued by the HCC Purchasing Department. HCC is not obligated to pay for any purchases made otherwise.

College employees may solicit quotations from Vendors, but may NOT order goods or services, or reserve items, services or dates when a financial commitment is required or otherwise commit HCC to the future purchase of a good or service, or future payment in the absence of a valid HCC Purchase Order issued by the HCC Purchasing Department. Unauthorized purchases may be considered personal transactions between a Vendor and an employee.

The HCC Purchasing Department is responsible for the selection of reputable and reliable vendors. Vendors are encouraged to contact our office at hccpurchasing@hccfl.edu prior to making sales calls on any of the College's sites. HCC Purchasing Department staff are available to meet with Vendors by appointment only, Monday through Friday, during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding most holidays, midterm/spring break, thanksgiving break, winter break, weekends, and any other days when the College is considered closed for normal operations.

HCC uses numbered purchase orders as its primary method for the procurement of goods and services. Vendors are cautioned NOT to ship merchandise or provide services without a valid HCC Purchase Order issued by the HCC Purchasing Department. Goods and services provided in the absence of a valid HCC Purchase Order may be returned or result in non‐payment at the sole discretion of the College.

In order to conduct business with Hillsborough Community College (“HCC”), Vendors must register online via HCC’s VendorLink System.  HCC's VendorLink System is a free-of-charge, secure, user-friendly online portal and one-stop service center.  To register, simply go to:  https://www.hccfl.edu/purchasing and click on “Vendor Registration.”  HCC’s VendorLink System also allows HCC’s registered Vendors to receive automatic email notifications regarding HCC's upcoming competitive solicitations as opportunities become available via the Vendor's registered National Institute of Governmental Purchasing ("NIGP") commodity code(s).  Vendor benefits include 24/7 access to vendor registration account information and immediate visibility to HCC staff as a supplier/provider.  For Vendors who are only interested in receiving automatic email notifications regarding upcoming competitive solicitations and identifying their business entity to HCC staff, these Vendors should complete the short process in which only the required data entry fields designated with a red asterisk must be completed.  All Vendors who wish to transact business with HCC and receive payment for goods and/or services must complete the full registration process and complete all required fields in addition to uploading all required documentation outlined on the HCC Purchasing Department's website and requested within HCC's VendorLink System.

Vendors are cautioned NOT to provide goods and/or services without a valid HCC Purchase Order issued by the HCC Purchasing Department.  Goods and/or services provided in the absence of a valid HCC Purchase Order may be returned or result in non-payment at the sole discretion of the College.  Additionally, all Vendors are required to maintain insurance while providing active services to HCC.  All active Vendors must provide proof of insurance and meet all of HCC’s Vendor Insurance Requirements as set forth by the College's Department of Risk Management.

All Vendors providing services on Hillsborough Community College (“HCC”) property or at College-sponsored events including, but not limited to, visual/performing arts, training, consulting, product delivery/assembly, maintenance and repair services, etc. are required to provide proof of insurance and meet all HCC Vendor Insurance Requirements as set forth by the College's Office of Risk Management prior to transacting business with HCC, prior to the commencement of any work for HCC, continue to maintain the required insurance coverage while providing services to HCC, and also serve as a condition of payment for services rendered.  HCC shall NOT transact business with any Vendor who refuses to comply with the HCC Vendor Insurance Requirements as set forth by the College's Office of Risk Management.  Failure to comply may be cause for debarment and deactivation within the HCC Purchasing Department's exclusive Vendor databases.  However, HCC reserves the right to specify alternative insurance requirements in contract language on a case-by-case basis.

All questions regarding the HCC Vendor Insurance Requirements should be addressed to the Office of Risk Management via email to hccriskmgt@hccfl.edu, via fax to 813.259.6025, or via telephone at 813.253.7569.  Certificates of insurance ("COIs") are not collected by the HCC Purchasing Department as a part of the vendor registration process.  Compliant certificates of insurance that meet the HCC Vendor Insurance Requirements should be emailed to hccfl@ebix.com.

All of the College’s competitive solicitations' documentation are available for download upon registration via HCC's VendorLink System, the College's web-based vendor registration and competitive solicitation management system. All legal advertisements are published in local newspapers, bulletins, and magazines as required by Florida Statutes.

Vendors without online access may request competitive solicitation documentation by faxing their request to 813.253.7561, by calling the HCC Purchasing Department at 813.253.7060, by sending a request in writing via an express courier to the attention of the HCC Purchasing Department using the address:  39 Columbia Dr., 6th Floor, Tampa, FL 33606-3584; or via USPS mail to the attention of the HCC Purchasing Department using the address:  P.O. Box 31127, Tampa, FL 33631-3127.  These types of requests must be completed well in advance of a competitive solicitation's designated due date and time for the opening and tabulation of submittals received in accordance with the specified requirements of the competitive solicitation.

All submittals received in response to the College’s competitive solicitations must be received in accordance with the competitive solicitation's specified requirements for the designated due date and time for the opening and tabulation of all submittals received in concurrence with the competitive solicitation's specified deadline for a submittal's status to be considered as valid and responsive. There are NO exceptions to this rule.

The College exclusively posts its competitive solicitations online via HCC's VendorLink System. Existing and interested Vendors may register free-of-charge to obtain an online account in order to receive automatic email notifications throughout the competitive solicitation process. Vendors who are only interested in participating in the competitive solicitation process may register by simply completing the required form fill‐in fields designated by red asterisks. Vendors who wish to transact business with the College via receipt of an HCC Purchase Order and/or contract award must complete the full registration process and upload all required documentation in order to receive payment(s).

The College’s public records are available upon request pursuant to Florida Statutes.  To request a public record, please contact the College's Custodian of Public Records:

Ashley A. Carl
Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations
P.O. Box 31127
Tampa, FL 33631‐3127
813.253.7158 phone
813.253.7198 fax
publicrecords@hccfl.edu

Archived competitive solicitations' documentation are available upon request for electronic copies and/or by appointment(s) for public viewing and photocopying during Mondays through Fridays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding most holidays, midterm/spring break, thanksgiving break, winter break, weekends, and any other days when the College is considered closed for normal operations.  Photocopy fees may apply in accordance with Florida Statutes.

For all purchases which are not exceptions to the requirement to solicit competitive offers by applicable Florida Statutes or the Florida State Board of Education's Administrative Rules, the following rules shall apply:

• For all purchases less than or equal to $10,000, the HCC Purchasing Department requires one (1) written quote and may use its discretion to obtain more quotes if it is in the College’s best interest.

• For all purchases between $10,000.01 and $65,000, the College shall, as circumstances require, publicly solicit the receipt of three (3) written quotations from at least three (3) different sources.

• For all purchases greater than $65,000, the College shall, as circumstances require, publicly solicit the receipt of competitive offers from at least three (3) different sources.

• All competitively‐solicited purchases less than or equal to $325,000 shall be approved or rejected by the College's President or his designee.

• All competitively‐solicited purchases greater than $325,000 shall be approved or rejected by the HCC District Board of Trustees at their next regularly scheduled Board Meeting.

• When the College publicly solicits for the receipt of competitive offers and only one (1) responsive offer is received, then the College may purchase such goods and/or services under the best terms it can negotiate.

Threshold amounts for competitive solicitation requirements are subject to change each year by the Florida Legislature and approval of the HCC District Board of Trustees.

The issuance of an HCC Purchase Order or the recommendation for a contract award is based upon the best value to the College.  Various evaluation criteria are used in determining the best value including price, quality, availability, delivery, sustainability and energy star rating, and fitness for a particular purpose.  During the evaluation of quotes, bids, proposals, replies, or other types of submittals, consideration may be given to a Vendor’s stated ability to successfully perform under the College’s purchase or contract terms and conditions as well as the Vendor’s record of past performance with the College.


Exceptions to the Requirements to Solicit Competitive Offers

• Educational tests, textbooks, instructional materials and equipment, films, filmstrips, video tapes, disc or tape recordings or similar audio‐ visual materials, graphic and computer based instructional software.

• Library books, reference books, periodicals, and other library materials and supplies.

• Purchases at the unit or contract prices established through competitive solicitations by any unit of government established by law or buying cooperatives.

• Food.

• Services or commodities available only from a single or sole source.

• Professional services, including, but not limited to, artistic services, instructional services, health services, academic program reviews, lectures by individuals, attorneys, legal services, auditors, and management consultants. Services of architects, engineers, construction managers, and land surveyors are selected and negotiated according to the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act, Section 287.055, Florida Statutes.

• Information technology resources defined as all forms of technology used to create, process, store, transmit, exchange and use information in various forms of voice, video and data, and shall also include the personnel costs and contracts that provide direct information technology support consistent with the College’s information technology plan.

• Single source procurements for purposes of economy or efficiency in standardization of materials or equipment.

• Items for resale.

• The College's President, or his designee, may waive solicitation requirements in emergencies when there is an imminent threat to students, employees, or public safety or in cases when it is necessary to prevent damage to the facilities caused by an unexpected circumstance in accordance with the College's established Administrative Rules and Administrative Procedures.

Hillsborough Community College ("HCC") is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to providing a nondiscriminatory environment which promotes equal access and equal opportunity to all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion national origin, age, gender, gender preference, disability, marital status, or veteran status.  The College encourages the participation of women-owned and minority-owned business enterprises (W/MBEs), in all contracts, subcontracts, and joint ventures associated with its procurements.  No person, agency or company shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise discriminated against in connection with the award and performance of any HCC procurement on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy or parenting, age, religion, disability, veteran’s status or affiliations or other bases under federal laws and regulations.  The College maintains a commitment to actively solicit responses from businesses owned by women and minorities as well as from businesses which demonstrate a good faith effort to provide bid opportunities to W/MBE subcontractors.  The College strongly encourages W/MBE participation in its procurements.  Additionally, the College encourages all contractors to make a good faith effort to provide bid opportunities to W/MBE subcontractors.

HCC does not have its own supplier diversity certification process; however, the Florida Office of Supplier Diversity ("OSD"), a specialized team within the Division of State Purchasing’s Department of Management Services ("DMS"), is available to help improve business opportunities for local Florida-based, small, disadvantaged, service disabled veteran-owned, woman-owned, and/or minority-owned business enterprises.  The goal of the OSD is to increase the number of Florida Certified Business Enterprises - minority-owned (MBE), woman-owned (WBE) and Veteran-owned (VBE).  The OSD’s office works with eligible business owners to process and grant their certification as well as to ensure they are informed of the benefits of certification.  The OSD’s certification process includes identifying and certifying eligible Florida-based small businesses by conducting thorough and effective reviews of the submitted required certification documents.  The OSD team does this through the following functions:

• assistance with applicable state certification and recertification;

• advocacy for the continued growth and success of woman-owned, minority-owned, and/or veteran-owned businesses;

• increase the outreach and communications of opportunities specific to unique business needs;

• planning, hosting and supporting Florida business events targeted to woman, veteran, and minority business owners; and

• provide educational and other resources to state government procurement professionals to help increase the use of these businesses in state and local government procurement contracts.

The Florida Office of Supplier Diversity and the leadership of the Florida Department of Management Services are working hard to ensure we are providing local Florida-based, veteran-owned, woman-owned, and/or minority-owned business owners the best customer service, support, advocacy and training opportunities available. These offices continue to review their processes to ensure that Vendors have a clear understanding of how to do business in the State of Florida, including the certification process to become a certified business enterprise.  Should you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact the OSD via telephone at 850.487.0915 or via email at osdhelp@dms.fl.gov.  The Office of Supplier Diversity is addressed in Section 287.0945, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunity Act is addressed in Section 295.187, Florida Statutes.

The HCC Accounts Payable Department is committed to paying the Collegeʹs liabilities in a timely manner.  HCC values the goods and services that Vendors provide and it is the HCC Accounts Payable Department’s goal is to ensure that all invoices are paid promptly upon receipt of goods and services. HCC’s standard payment terms are Net Thirty (30) Days, unless otherwise stated on the HCC Purchase Order or as otherwise agreed within a corresponding contract/agreement.

To expedite payment, submit all invoices referencing (a) valid HCC Purchase Order number(s) via email to hccaccountspayable@hccfl.edu (preferred, fastest method).

Or send via USPS mail to:

Hillsborough Community College
Attn: Accounts Payable
P.O. Box 31127
Tampa, FL 33631‐3127

If using an express courier service, submit all invoices referencing (a) valid HCC Purchase Order number(s) to:

Hillsborough Community College
Attn: Accounts Payable
39 Columbia Dr., 5th Floor
Tampa, FL 33606-3584

Invoices received without the reference of a valid HCC Purchase Order number will delay payment until a valid HCC Purchase Order number can be linked or obtained.

The HCC Central Receiving Warehouse is located at the Brandon Campus and is accessible from two (2) different addresses.

Brandon Campus Map

The original address was:
Hillsborough Community College
Brandon Campus
Central Receiving Warehouse (BWHS)
10414 E. Columbus Dr.
Tampa, FL 33619-7856

The new address is:
Hillsborough Community College
Brandon Campus
Central Receiving Warehouse (BWHS)
10451 Nancy Watkins Dr.
Tampa, FL 33619-7836

East Columbus Drive is lined with speed bumps whereas the pretty entrance way on Nancy Watkins Drive is smooth without speed bumps.
It is easier to access the Warehouse Building (BWHS) from East Columbus Drive because it's a straight shot once you pull into the parking lot.
From Nancy Watkins Drive, you have to drive around the whole campus to arrive at the Warehouse Building (BWHS).
Click on the link above to download and view the Brandon Campus Map and then you can decide which way you would rather go.

Normal operating hours for deliveries are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), Mondays through Fridays, excluding most holidays, midterm/spring break, thanksgiving break, winter break, weekends, and any other days when the College is considered closed for normal operations.

To coordinate a delivery, please call:
813.253.7924, or
813.253.7857, or
813.253.7872, or
813.253.7933 (fax), or
propdistserv@hccfl.edu (email)