California Small Business (SB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)
State procurement certifications for small businesses and disabled-veteran-owned businesses. [California SB and DVBE guidance]
California Department of General Services, Office of Small Business and DVBE Services. California program. Official program information
Sources reviewed .
CAL FIRE links to the administering DGS office. Use DGS’s current thresholds and detailed requirements before submitting. [CAL FIRE certification guidance]
Who qualifies
SB applicants must be independent California businesses; DVBE applicants must meet disabled-veteran ownership and management rules. [California SB and DVBE guidance]
- SB: principal office and owners or corporate officers must be in California, with size limits applying to the business and its affiliates. [California SB and DVBE guidance]
- DVBE: at least 51% disabled-veteran ownership, disabled-veteran management of daily operations, and a U.S. home office. Check DGS’s full criteria for the business structure and current size limits. [California SB and DVBE guidance]
Cost
Certification is free of charge. [CAL FIRE certification guidance]
Processing time
A typical processing time is not stated in the official sources reviewed. [California SB and DVBE guidance]
What it unlocks
- SB certification offers a 5% bid preference on applicable state contracts. DVBE certification supports participation in the state’s DVBE procurement program. [California SB and DVBE guidance]
How to apply
- Use DGS’s Office of Small Business and DVBE Services to check current eligibility and required records. [California SB and DVBE guidance] Open DGS certification information.
- Apply online through the certification route linked by CAL FIRE. [CAL FIRE certification guidance] Find the official application route.