Q: What does the Statewide Supplier Diversity Program do?

A: We create and develop data-driven tools and strategies to promote policies that help small and diverse businesses get fair access to California contracting opportunities.

Q: How do I join the Statewide Supplier Diversity Program?

A: We do not offer any membership.

Q: Do you offer one-on-one consultations?

A: Yes, we do. Our consultations help states, cities, counties, and others interested in increasing their supplier diversity. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn about our supplier diversity efforts, explore best practices, and discuss strategies to increase supplier diversity within various industries.

Q: Are these consultations for businesses interested in State contracting?

A: No, these meetings are not for businesses who want to learn about doing business with the state. For help with that, please email Businessoutreach@dgs.ca.gov.

Q: Can I apply for a diverse certification through your Program?

A: No, we do not offer our own certification. Our DGS Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS) offers the following certifications:

• Small Business (SB)
• Small Business for the Purpose of Public Works (SB-PW)
• Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)

For certification help, please email OSDSHelp@dgs.ca.gov.

State Certifications

Get certified as a small business and/or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise if you are interested in pursuing state contracting opportunities.

• Visit the California State Government Marketplace to find information on registration and certification, public procurement information, training resources, outreach events and more.

The DGS Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services provides support and assistance with:

• Small and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise certification assistance to Small and Diverse Businesses interested in doing business with the state. For eligibility requirements and benefits of becoming certified with the State of California, visit Apply For or Re-apply as Small Business, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (ca.gov).
• Training, education, and one-on-one appointments for Small and Diverse Businesses on how to effectively do business with the state.

For more information please visit the How to do Business with California State Government website. 

Federal Certification

Get certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise if you are a minority and/or woman-owned business interested in pursuing federal contracts:

• Visit the California Unified Certification Program (CAUCP) for a selection of certifying agencies.

Utilities Certification

Get certified if you are a minority and/or women-owned business enterprise, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise, LGBT Business Enterprise, or a Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise interested in contracting with utility companies:

• Visit the Supplier Clearing House for information on how to get started.

Access FREE resources to develop and grow your business

• State Small Business (SB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Contracting and Procurement Training
• Small Business Development Centers for assistance to start, run and grow your business.
• Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) [APEX Accelerators] for government contracting assistance in your location.
• Small Business Advice from SCORE to find a Small Business Mentor.
• California Capital Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) to help you prepare, pursue, and perform government contracts.
• California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) provides a wealth of information to help businesses succeed at every step.
• California Grants Portal is your destination to find grants and loans offered on a competitive or first-come basis by California state agencies.
• Diversity PartnerDirectoryto help provide support and technical assistance.
• Veterans Resource Guide provides information to assist veterans with starting a small business.

These resources can be utilized to support targeted outreach efforts into under resourced communities.

• Diversity Partner Directory to assist with identifying small and diverse businesses for state contracting opportunities.

• California SB/DVBE Atlas Tool (CalSAT) a mapping tool to assess contract spend in disadvantaged communities.
• Healthy Place Index (HPI) (healthyplacesindex.org) data to support leaders and advocates to prioritize resources and programs in communities most disproportionately impacted by health and racial inequities.
• California Ethnic Media Guide to promote cross-cultural communications.

See the Diversity Data Communication dated November 9, 2023, by clicking here: Diversity Data Collection Communication.

Voluntary Diversity Data Collection - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is voluntary diversity information? Voluntary diversity information is voluntarily provided data on ethnicity, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
2. Whose diversity information should be entered? The diversity information entered should be the business’ majority owner(s), including shareholders.
3. Who may provide the voluntary diversity information in Cal eProcure? State bidders, suppliers, and vendors, including certified SB/DVBE and applicants for SB/DVBE certification.
4. Am I required to provide this information in my profile? No, you are not required to provide this information in your profile. Providing diversity information is strictly voluntary.
5. Why is the state collecting this information? The state is collecting this information to determine where outreach is needed among various communities and where new outreach strategies need to be developed.
6. How will the diversity information be used? This information can be used by state departments to actively engage in focused outreach activities in addition to general outreach pursuant to GC §7400 and §7401 and GC §11139.6 and §11139.7 for the purposes of supporting greater diversity and inclusivity in state contracting and procurement.
7. Who will use the diversity information? More than 200 state departments, as well as reciprocity partners accepting the state SB and DVBE certifications (e.g., local governments, transportation agencies, public utility, water and school districts), could use the voluntary data to develop new strategies to ensure California’s supplier base is reflective of our diverse state. 
8. Will the diversity information be publicly displayed?  AB 2019 allows the state to publicly display the diversity information in the certification database. By voluntarily providing the information, you agree and authorize the state to display this information in your public certification profile on Cal eProcure.
9. Who will have access to the diversity information? State departments, state reciprocity partners, prime contractors, and the public.
10. Will businesses be able to update their diversity information anytime? Yes, businesses will be able to update their information anytime by logging into their Cal eProcure profile. See the step-by-step guide on updating your Diversity Data by clicking here: Diversity Data Procedures
11. Will the diversity information be used to provide a preference to any diverse groups in state contracting opportunities? Per California Constitution, Article 1 Section 31, diversity information shall not be used to grant a preference in state contracting.
12. How will the diversity information benefit my business? This information will help the state identify industries and sectors that may need additional outreach, assistance, and support in navigating the state's contracting process.
13. Who do I contact if I have questions about this information? Please email SupplierDiversity@dgs.ca.gov if you have general questions and OSDSHelp@dgs.ca.gov for technical assistance.

The Minority-Owned Small Business (MOSB) Task Force is a forum for diverse small businesses and affiliate organizations to identify ways to improve the state’s procurement process for state-certified small and micro businesses. The MOSB Task Force is not a policy-making body. It can advise or make recommendations to the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Government Operations Agency (GovOps) regarding state procurement policies and practices, disseminate information regarding specific state projects and programs, and provide a forum for an interactive discussion with interested parties.

The MOSB meetings are not open to the public at this time; however, to inquire about how to get involved or for more information, please email SupplierDiversity@dgs.ca.gov.

Public advisory meetings are open to the community and state representatives to learn about initiatives impacting small businesses. Councils provide a forum for businesses, business affiliate organizations and business trade associations to provide input and feedback on policies and contracting practices that impact diverse and disadvantaged small businesses. Businesses and organizations that represent small businesses can also apply to serve on an advisory council. Click each link to learn more:

• CA Department of General Services Small Business Advisory Council
• Caltrans Small Business Council
• CA High-Speed Rail Authority Small Business Advisory Council
• UC Small & Diverse Business Advisory Council | UCOP
• CA Department of Veterans Affairs Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Program – DVBE Request for Response allows the DVBE community, small businesses, state advocates, contractors, veterans, and the general public to request information regarding the state of California's DVBE program. Whether you're seeking information on the program, need assistance finding state contracts, or locating DVBEs to do business with, we can assist you.

• AB 2019 (Statutes of 2022, Chapter 730) Economic Equity for Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Firms and Diversity Among State Contractors.
• Executive Order N-16-22 summarizes state equity measures to improve outcomes and deliver better services by making its procurement policies simpler, faster, and more human-centered for buyers and businesses.
• AB 1574 (JEDE) (Chapter 756, Statutes of 2020) Leveraging State Procurement for an Inclusive Recovery Act of 2021 requires, among other things, the state to make continuous efforts to expand the pool of underutilized small businesses and micro businesses.
• Senate Bill 1045 (Polanco) (Chapter 1165, Statutes of 2002) Public employment and contracting updated by Senate Bill 1442 (Liu) (Chapter 870, Statutes of 2016) Discrimination: regulations and enforcement authorize focused outreach activities in addition to general outreach for the purposes of increasing diversity in the state’s contracting and procurement activities.