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State leaders outline small‑business contracting goals and resources at statewide symposium
Summary
California cabinet and agency leaders presented coordinated steps to connect small, disadvantaged and disabled‑veteran businesses with state contracting opportunities, highlighted new rules and trainings, and answered vendor questions about procurement, bonding and certification.
State leaders gathered at the State of California Small Business Symposium to describe how the administration and several state agencies are expanding contracting opportunities for small, disadvantaged and disabled‑veteran businesses.
Deputy Director David D'Luz of Caltrans' Office of Civil Rights opened the virtual event and said the session was intended to help the contracting public understand where procurement opportunities and program support exist across state government. "If anyone has any concerns regarding this process, please let us know," he said as he explained the Q&A and recording process.
Secretary Toks Omishakin of the California State Transportation Agency framed the event as part of a broader push to ensure small firms can access state infrastructure spending. He described two contracting streams: a state‑funded stream governed by Assembly Bill 2019 with a 25% small‑business participation goal, and federally funded projects subject to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and a roughly 22.2% federal DBE goal. "This is the most fruitful period that we have to invest in infrastructure in this state's history," Omishakin said, citing Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds coming into California.
Directors and secretaries from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz), the Department of General Services (DGS), the California Department of Technology (CDT) and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (Cal OSBA) described complementary programs: export assistance and market access (GoBiz); certification, supplier training and a statewide CALSAT mapping tool to track spend with certified firms (DGS); breaking large technology procurements into smaller work packages and vendor forums (CDT); and the SCALE technical‑assistance network and SSBCI capital programs to expand access to finance (Cal OSBA).
Speakers emphasized practical entry points for vendors: register and maintain a profile on Cal eProcure (including UNSPSC/NAICS codes), connect with district small‑business liaisons, opt into procurement lists that notify prime contractors, and participate in mentor‑protégé and supplier‑training cohorts. Caltrans, DGS and other agencies said they will post contact emails and links with the recorded session.
The leaders took audience questions on EV charging deployment, product approvals, bonding and early payment. On EV infrastructure, Omishakin recommended coordination with Caltrans, DGS, CDT, GoBiz and the California Energy Commission. On bonding, Caltrans said the agency removed bid‑bond requirements for 'Minor B' construction contracts valued at $461,000 or less and is exploring financing approaches for performance and payment bonds, including SSBCI‑linked options.
The symposium concluded with a pledge to post the recording, contact lists and resource links for attendees to follow up with agency small‑business teams.
