Prompt Payment Program Assistance

Prompt payment ensures that payments due on a contract awarded to a certified small business or a non-profit are paid in a timely manner. Assistance and advocacy provides clarification of the Prompt Payment Act for suppliers and State departments. 

The Payment Offices Directory helps contractors make contact with appropriate departmental accounting personnel. The Prompt Payment Tool Kit contains Frequently Asked Questions, the Penalty Calculation Process (with an example), a sample of the typical State invoice payment process, and California Government Code 927 et seq. California Prompt Payment Act.

To dispute an invoice:

Suppliers:

• Contact Awarding Department’s Payment Office (See Directory in Resources below.)
• Contact the Awarding Department’s Small Business Advocate (See Small Business Advocate Directory in Resources below.)

State Departments:

• Complete the Invoice Dispute Notification Form-STD. 209
• Submit copy of form, invoice & copy of contract to your Department’s Accounting section. (Additional procedures may exist.)
• Follow all other Departmental procedures
• If you have questions about disputing an invoice from a certified Small Business (SB) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), contact your department's SB & DVBE Advocate (See Small Business Advocate Directory in Resources below).

The California Prompt Payment Act requires that departments report annually to the Director of the Department of General Services the number and amount of late payment interest penalty payments paid to suppliers each fiscal year. Agencies may also choose to report Performance Measurement Information. In accordance with the Act, penalty payment data is collected, compiled, and reported to the Director.

The Late Payment Penalty Reports are in a user-friendly dashboard. Click the Late Payment Penalty Reports Dashboard link to view the most current fiscal year. In order to review previous reports, select the applicable Fiscal Year from the drop-down and click the 'GO' button.

Late Payment Penalty Paid Annual Reports

• Late Payment Penalty Paid Report Dashboard