TECO Energy places great importance on doing business with qualified suppliers and contractors. Prospective suppliers must meet certain minimum qualifications that vary by product and service category. 

Certifications

TECO Energy accepts all national, federal, state and local governmental agencies’ business certifications. We evaluate potential suppliers on the following criteria:

• Quality
• Safe Work Practices
• Competitive Prices
• Integrity
• Sound Environmental Practices

Qualifying Diversity Certifications

TECO Energy is committed to providing diverse suppliers, as defined by the Small Business Act, with economic opportunities to supply us with products and services. According to the Small Business Act, a small business is “independently owned and operated and not dominant in its field of operation” and meets the small business size standards matched to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes.

Additional definitions include:

• A minority-owned business (may be large or small) is defined as a business that is owned, managed, and controlled 51% or more by one or more persons who identify with one or more of the following ethnic/racial categories: African American or Black, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, Middle Eastern or North African, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Native American or Alaska Native.
• A woman-owned business is one in which a woman owns and manages at least 51 percent of the business.
• A small, disadvantaged business represents is a small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
• A veteran-owned small business is one in which not less than 51 percent of which is owned and managed by one or more veterans.
• A service-disabled veteran-owned small business is one in which not less than 51 percent of which is owned and managed by one or more service-disabled veterans.
• A HUB-zone small business can be found on the List of Qualified HUB-Zone Small Business Concerns maintained by the Small Business Act.
• An LGBTQ-owned business is defined as a business that is at least 51% owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBTQ person or persons.