Department of General Services Honors Agencies for Small Business Advocacy
SACRAMENTO, Calif-- The California Department of General Services (DGS) has recognized nine state employees and 11 agencies for their outstanding effort and commitment in steering an increasing amount of commerce to California small businesses and companies operated by disabled veterans.
In 2006, Gov. Schwarzenegger directed that State government do 25 percent of its purchasing and contracting with Certified Small Businesses (SBs) and at least 3 percent with Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs). The Governor’s Executive Order also directs DGS to facilitate efforts to link more of California’s SBs and DVBEs with the state’s contracting opportunities through various outreach events.
Last week, the State Agency Recognition Awards were handed out, honoring employees, agencies and departments for meeting and/or exceeding these ambitious goals and the advocates who work hard to contribute to their success. Currently, small businesses represent 98 percent of all California enterprises and employ more than 50 percent of the workforce.
“These companies have made a valuable contribution in ensuring California’s SBs and DVBEs get connected with state government agencies,” said DGS Acting Director Ron Diedrich. “They have made the most of their opportunity to compete for nearly $9 billion of procurement business the state provides yearly.”
The 2010 agency winners of the State Agency Recognition Awards are:
State Agency Recognition Awards:
Gold--California Department of Aging
Silver--Procurement Team, DGS Office of State Publishing
Bronze--CA Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (CDCR), CA State Prison Corcoran
Bronze--CDCR, Kern Valley State Prison
Honorable Mention--Supplier Diversity, University of California, Berkeley
Small Business/ DVBE Advocate of the Year:
Gold--Tracie Wagner, Franchise Tax Board
Silver--Linda L. Langley, CDCR Wasco
Bronze--Kevin Aria, Department of Consumer Affairs
Honorable Mention--Susan Sudmann, Parks and Recreation
Honorable Mention--Ann Blazina, Caltrans
Special Awards:
CA Military Department--Governor's Award
DGS Real Estate Services Division for Veteran's Homes--State & Consumer Services Agency Secretary Award
Gloria Anderson, DGS Procurement Division Office of Small Business and DVBE Services--John Lopez Award from CA Department of Veterans Affairs
Marty Keller/Michael Gonzalez, Governor’s Office of Economic Development--SB/DVBE Leadership Award from the CA Small Business Association & the CA DVBE Alliance
Lori Hall, Department of Water Resources--Small Business Advocate's Innovation Award
Most Improved Small Business Contracting (25% is state goal):
Small Department (under $1 million)--CA Transportation Commission--63% increase to 67.26%
Medium Department ($1 million to $7 million)--Victims Compensation Board--37.54% increase to 73.54%
Large Department (Over $ 7 million)--First 5 California--53.73% increase to 85.16%
Most Improved DVBE Contracting (3% is state goal):
Small Department (under $1 million)--Department of Aging--34.94% increase to 47.58%
Medium Department ($1 million to $7 million)--Boating and Waterways--29.42% increase to 53.01%
Large Department (Over $ 7 million)--Military Department--9.85% increase to 21.20%
The Department of General Services acts as the business manager for the State of California, with more than 4,000 employees and a budget in excess of $1 billion. DGS helps state government better serve the public by providing services to state agencies including innovative procurement and acquisition solutions, creative real estate management, leasing and design services, environmentally friendly transportation, and architectural oversight and innovative funding for the construction of safe schools.