Sacramento – California State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary Rosario Marin today joined with representatives from the County of Sacramento and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) and the State’s Department of General Services to sign an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which creates a streamlined Reciprocity Small Business Certification Program between the public entities.  This program will make it easier for Small and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises to do business with all three government entities.

“This is a major milestone in achieving the Governor’s goals of small business participation in the State’s contracting programs,” said Secretary Marin. “Furthermore, it shows how we can collaborate with like-minded public agencies throughout the state who share a commitment to maintaining the highest standards in their certification programs while making sure we put more small businesses to work on public contracts.”

Under this new MOU, businesses who have undergone and been approved through the State’s certification program, will now be fully eligible to participate as certified firms with both the County and SHRA’s procurement programs.

“This new program will positively impact tens of thousands of small firms throughout California,” said Will Bush, Director of the Department of General Services. “We are committed to making sure that those of us in State government continue to do everything we can to help create new small business opportunities, grow existing businesses, and encourage other State agencies to do more business with small businesses.”

The State of California purchases more than $9.5 billion in products, services and commodities each year. On March 29, 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-02-06 which directed all departments of state government to achieve a goal of at least 25 percent small business participation in all state contracts and procurements. 

Those seeking official state certification as eligible small businesses can find further information and download application materials or apply for certification online.

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