DGS Small Business Advisory Council

The purpose of the Department of General Services (DGS) Small Business Advisory Council is to provide a forum for representatives of the California small business community to provide input on policies and practices that impact small business participation in the state procurement and contracting process. 

The Council assists the DGS to develop solutions to the state's procurement and contracting concerns, to help communicate information regarding DGS projects and programs of interest to the small business community and to provide a forum for interactive discussions.

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Small Business Advisory Council Meetings

The purpose of this committee is to recommend strategies to communicate the benefits of certification throughout the small business community and to increase the number of small business firms that are certified.

Meetings of the full council and of the committees are open to the public and are subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Government Code Sections 11120-11132). 

For assistance connecting to a webinar, please contact:

Catrina Blair:
916.375.4343 or catrina.blair@dgs.ca.gov

Tasha Nomura-Stewart:
916.375.4567 or tasha.nomurastewart@dgs.ca.gov

2013 / 2014 Meetings

  • December 4, 2013 - Coming Soon!
  • September 4, 2013 - Coming Soon!

    2012 / 2013 Meetings

  • June 5, 2013 - Coming Soon!
  • March 13, 2013 - Agenda (PDF)  l  Administrative Office of the Courts Update (PDF) l Legislative Summary (PDF) l
  • December 5, 2012 - Agenda (PDF)  l Meeting Minutes (PDF) l  Fi$Cal Presentation (PPT)  l  Contract Management Presentation (PPT)
  • September 12, 2012 - Agenda (PDF)  l Enrolled and Chartered Bills (PDF) l Consolidated Annual Reports FY 09-10 and FY 10-11 (PDF)  l  California High-Speed Rail Authority Handouts (PDF)  l  Administrative Office of the Courts flyer (PDF)  l  Responses to SBC Member Questions (PDF)  

    2011 / 2012 Meetings

  • June 13, 2012 - Agenda (MS Word)  l  Meeting Minutes  l (PDF) Proposed Reorganization Plan (PDF)  l  Fi$CAL Presentation (PDF) l  California's Darker Shade of Green Presentation (PDF)
  • March 7, 2012 - **Special Workshop Meeting Agenda  l  How to do Business Presentation (PDF)  l  How to do Business Brochure (PDF)  l eProcurement Instructions (PDF)  l  I'm Certified, Now What (PDF)  l Construction Advocates (MS Excel) l Upcoming Solicitations (MS Excel)
  • January 25, 2012 - Agenda l  Meeting Minutes (PDF) l  Agenda Packet Tab # 5 - RESD Projects  l  Agenda Packet Tab #7 - 2012 SBC Meeting Dates  l  Legislative Bills
  • September 14, 2011 - Agenda l  Minutes 


    2010 / 2011 Meetings

  • June 8, 2011 - Agenda  l  Legislative Update  l  RESD Upcoming Solicitations  l  Dept of Water Resources Presentation
  • March 16, 2011 - Agenda  l  Minutes
  • December 8, 2010 -  Agenda  l  Minutes  l  Legislative Track                           Policy Track  l  Program Track  l  Draft SB/DVBE Off-Ramp Policy  l  List of Current Bundled / Unbundled Statewide Contracts
  • September 15, 2010 - CANCELLED

  • 2009 / 2010 Meetings

  • June 9, 2010  -  Agenda
  • March 10, 2010 -  Agenda
  • December 16, 2009 -  Agenda  l  Minutes
  • September 9, 2009 -  Agenda
  • June 10, 2009 -  Agenda  l  Minutes

      2008 / 2009 Meetings

      2007 / 2008 Meetings

      2006 / 2007 Meetings

      2005 / 2006 Meetings

      2004 / 2005 Meetings

    • April 27, 2005 -  Agenda  l  Presentation #1  l  Presentation #2
        • Membership
        The DGS seeks to be inclusive in the membership of the council. We desire a broad representation from the small business community through members who represent large segments of California industry, diverse ethnic associations and a broad geographic coverage. 

        For a listing of current Small Business Advisory Council members, see the Small Business Advisory Council Roster.

        The DGS will continue to add Small Business Advisory Council members who meet the eligibility requirements as established in the Charter.  We encourage eligible small business-persons to apply by submitting an Application for Membership.
        Leadership
        The Advisory Council is co-chaired by both Jim Butler, Deputy Director of the DGS Procurement Division and Aubry Stone, a Small Business member of the Council. 

        Mr. Butler is assisted by his alternate, Eric Mandell, Branch Chief of the DGS Procurement Division, Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services, Outreach and Communications.
        The Revitalized Small Business Advisory Council
        In 2004, the DGS decided to revitalize the Small Business Advisory Council.  A Charter was adopted that contains guidelines for operation of the council and criteria for membership. 

        The council membership was reconstituted, in accordance with the new requirement that members represent segments of the small business community through established trade associations or community organizations. 

        For more information, see the Charter and the SBC Roster.
        First Meeting of the New Council
        The first meeting of the new Council was held on March 14, 2005. Committees were established and committee chairs identified.  The council conducted a brainstorming session to identify small business issues.

        Due to continuing budget constraints, the DGS is unable to fund travel expenses for members to participate.  Notwithstanding that, the Council decided to meet quarterly. 

        The Council established three subcommittees:  the Construction Committee, the Process Committee and the Outreach & Education Committee.   

        The subcommittees will meet prior to regular council meetings (usually by teleconference) and report on their activities to the full council at the quarterly meetings.  The state's Small Business Advocates are invited guests to the council meeting and participate on committees along with other staff members of the DGS.
        Contact the Small Business Advisory Council Coordinator
        For information about the DGS Small Business Advisory Council or to apply for membership, please contact Eric Mandell by telephone at (916) 375-4608 or by email at Eric.Mandell@dgs.ca.gov.