Small Business and DVBE

Small Business Program

CSULB supports Small Business Legislation which provides for small business preference where responsibility and quality are equal. The goal of the program is to provide small businesses a fair and equal opportunity to compete for campus business. To achieve this goal, all State of California registered small businesses are granted a 5% bid preference when California Department of General Services (DGS) certification is submitted with bids. The Small Business Preference Form or an equivalent advisory statement is also required to be submitted with all CSU bid solicitations for the procurement of goods and services.

Without DGS certification and the Small Business Preference Form (or an equivalent advisory statement), we are unable to provide the opportunities outlined according to CSU Policy. The CSU Contracts and Procurement Policy allows for a reduction in competition when requesting SBE bids.

SBE Bid Preference Example

  • Bidder A Certified SBE responds with a $100,000 bid.
  • Bidder B Non-Certified Supplier responds with a $96,000 bid.
  • Bidder A is a certified small business, granted a 5% bid preference, wins the award, and is paid $100,000 for the project.

SBE Option

A campus may award a contract for the acquisition of goods, services or information technology that has an estimated value of less than $250,000 through an informal bid process without advertising to a certified small business enterprise, as long as the campus obtains price quotations from two or more certified small business enterprises as referenced in Government Code Section 14838.5.

Ethnicity, Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation Business Enterprises

CSU awarding departments are prohibited from using the data compiled under this policy to discriminate or provide a preference in the awarding of any contracts. Contractors are prohibited from using the information compiled under this policy to discriminate or provide a preference in the solicitation or acceptance of bids for subcontracting, or for materials or equipment on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or ancestry.

CSULB SBE and DVBE Advocate Contact:

Terri Reilly
Phone: 562.985.8290
Email: terri.reilly@csulb.edu