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Caltrans previews 662 projects and steps to help small firms win contracts
Summary
Caltrans Director Tony Tavares told the symposium that 662 projects worth more than $14 billion will be advertised in the next two years, highlighted DBE and Minor B programs, and detailed mentorship, emergency contracting and district liaison resources for small businesses.
Caltrans Director Tony Tavares told attendees at the State of California Small Business Symposium that the department will advertise 662 projects over the next two years valued at more than $14 billion and that more than half of those contracts can be bid by small businesses as prime contractors.
Tavares said small firms may bid as prime contractors on contracts under $10 million and that his two‑year lookahead includes nearly 350 projects under that threshold. He gave project examples: a $26 million slope repair on State Route 118 in Ventura County, a $130 million pavement rehabilitation on U.S. 101 in San Mateo County and a $100 million pavement project on I‑680 in Alameda County.
On participation goals, Caltrans reiterated federal DBE program standards — currently a 22.2% goal derived from a disparity study — and said the agency exceeded $1 billion contracted directly to DBEs in federal FY 2022‑23. Tavares urged small and disadvantaged firms to pursue DBE certification and said Caltrans maintains district small‑business liaisons and a Contractor’s Corner resource to help vendors navigate Cal eProcure and project look‑aheads.
Tavares also described programs to lower barriers: Minor B contracts (valued at $461,000 or less) are fast‑moving, short‑duration construction projects designed for small firm primes, and the department aims to award a high share of Minor B contracts to small businesses. Caltrans described two emergency contracting types (director's orders and district director orders) and said it proactively reaches out to small and micro businesses for emergency work. The department has awarded more than $200 million in emergency contracts to small firms for disaster response and repairs.
Caltrans highlighted mentorship and workforce programs — including a statewide construction mentor‑protégé rollout and heavy‑equipment operator training — as ways to build capacity and meet the administrative and bonding expectations of larger projects. The director said Caltrans is exploring options to address bid, performance and payment bond barriers, noting the agency has removed the bid‑bond requirement for Minor B contracts and is considering bonding solutions tied to SSBCI and other financing mechanisms.
Caltrans staff advised vendors to register on Cal eProcure, maintain accurate commodity/NAICS codes and use the 'opt‑in' feature so prime contractors can identify and contact potential subcontractors. For product or commodity questions, Caltrans recommended contacting division procurement leads and the small business advocate office (smallbusinessadvocate@dot.ca.gov).
