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California Small Business (SB) & Micro Business certification — 5% bid preference on state contracts

Phone number
(916) 375-4940 (DGS Office of Small Business and DVBE Services, Certification@dgs.ca.gov)
Category
Small Business
Auto tags
Eligibility
Independently owned, not dominant in its field, principal office in California, 100 or fewer employees, average gross receipts of $19M or less (Micro: $6M or less)
Auto Summary
California's Department of General Services certifies Small Businesses (SB) and Micro Businesses. Certified firms get a 5% bid preference on state solicitations and count toward the state's goal of 25% of contract dollars going to small businesses. Businesses must be independently owned, not dominant in their field, headquartered in California, have 100 or fewer employees and average gross receipts of $19M or less ($6M or less for Micro). Apply online through Cal eProcure. Contact (916) 375-4940. Verified 2026-09-28.
Value
5% bid preference
Espanol
Certificación de Pequeña Empresa (SB) y Microempresa de California — preferencia del 5% en contratos estatales
URL
dgs.ca.gov/PD/Serv...terprise
Who it's for: California businesses that want to sell to the State of California.

Requirements (Small Business)

  • Independently owned and operated, and not dominant in its field.
  • Principal office in California.
  • 100 or fewer employees, including affiliates.
  • Average annual gross receipts of $19 million or less over the last three tax years.
  • Micro Business: gross receipts of $6 million or less.

What you get

  • A 5% bid preference on state solicitations.
  • A place in the state's Small Business Participation Program, which aims to spend at least 25% of state contract dollars with small businesses.

How to apply

  • Register and apply online at Cal eProcure: <https://caleprocure.ca.gov>. DGS posts step-by-step registration and application guides, and its certification team runs hands-on workshops.
Related: Sierra SBDC offers small-business advising.
Source: DGS, "Apply for or Re-apply as Small Business, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise", <https://www.dgs.ca.gov/PD/Services/Page-Content/Procurement-Division-Services-List-Folder/Apply-for-or-Re-apply-as-Small-Business-Disabled-Veteran-Business-Enterprise> (checked 2026-09-28).