Small Business Advisory Council

A forum for representatives of the California small business community to provide input on policies and practices.

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

The SBAC assists DGS with the development of solutions to the state's procurement and contracting concerns, helps communicate information regarding DGS projects and programs of interest to the small business community, and provides a forum for interactive discussions.

Businesses that are not members of the council may attend but only comment during the public comment period at the end of the meeting. Businesses in need of help or advice to navigate the state contracting process may be better served by contacting our Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services at BusinessOutreach@dgs.ca.gov

The SBAC meets quarterly, in March, June, September, and December of each year.

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

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Meeting dates for 2025 are March 12, June 4, September 3 and December 3, 2025. 

Angela Shell, Co-Chair, Deputy Director, Procurement Division, Department of General Services.

Lee Cunningham, Co-Chair, CEO, Women Construction Owners & Executives.

Procurement Processes Committee

Focuses on making the procurement process easier for small businesses and increase procurement opportunities for small businesses.

Chair: Charlotta Carter
Vice Chair: Leslie Murdock

Members 
Lee Cunningham

Andrew Chang

Catherean Mitchell

Don Stoneham

Jai Sharma

Julian Canete

Lori Kammerer

Merv Cutler

Mike Sabellico

Savita Farooqui

Shobha Mallarapu

Leslie Murdock

Tracy Porter

 

Outreach, Marketing, Education, and Training Committee

Works to improve available education and training on the state bidding and contracting process to include more businesses and create networks and partnerships to increase opportunities for small businesses.

Chair: Merv Cutler
Vice-chair: Don Stoneham

Members 
C.P. Krishnan

Don Stoneham

Frank Louie

Jai Sharma

Rose Langensiepen

Julian Canete

Lori Kammerer

Maria Solano

Mike Daniel

Mike Sabellico

Shaila Rao Mistry

Shobha Mallarapu

Stephen Simpson

Karen Nelson

Lee Cunningham

Jennifer Cortes

Lelsie Murdock

 

Commercially Useful Function Committee

Focuses on resolving and preventing issues regarding commercially useful function through improved processes, compliance, and accountability.

Chair: Lee Cunningham 
Vice-chair: Lori Kammerer

Members 
Charlotta Carter

Jai Sharma 

Lori Kammerer

Phil Vermeulen

Sandra Escalante 

Savita Farooqui

Shobha Mallarapu 

Stephen Simpson

Catherean Mitchell

Shaila Rao Mistry

Next Meeting

June 4, 2025 1 – 4 p.m.

DGS Ziggurat Building- 707 Third Street, West Sacramento, CA 95605

Meeting Details

 

contact

Office of Small Business and DVBE Services

Department of General Services

707 Third Street
West Sacramento, CA 95605
DGSSBCouncil@dgs.ca.gov