Office of Small Business and DVBE Services

This Thanksgiving, the Office of Small Business and DVBE Services team is thankful and appreciative of the opportunity to serve small businesses and disabled veteran-owned businesses across California. We know how important your contributions are to the vitality of our communities and the economic wellbeing of the Golden State. We also want to express gratitude to our strategic partners, whose work is so critical to our mission. As the holiday season and new year approach, we look forward to new opportunities to strengthen that partnership and continue delivering for California businesses. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the California Department of General Services.? #Thanksgiving #OSDSBusinessOutreach #SmallBusiness #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise #Procurement?

Last week, the Office of Small Business and DVBE Services team had the privilege of attending the "Veteran Success: Honoring Service and Empowering Business Growth" event at Oceanside City Hall. We want to extend our gratitude to the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network and the City of Oceanside for organizing this meaningful event. At the event, #OSDS engaged with dozens of veterans, helping them navigate the certification process and connecting them to valuable resources to support their business growth. It was inspiring to witness the dedication and passion of these entrepreneurs as they work to build their futures. As strategic partner, the San Diego & Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network plays a crucial role in supporting small businesses by providing no-cost expert business consulting, training, and resources. Their mission is to help entrepreneurs succeed by addressing challenges like business planning, funding, marketing, and certifications. Their commitment to empowering small businesses was evident throughout the event. Thank you to everyone who visited the Office of Small Business and DVBE Services table. We look forward to continuing to serve and empower California's veteran business community!? ?? #VeteranSuccess #DVBE #SmallBusinessCertification #Entrepreneurship #OSDSOutreach?

"Doing Business with California State Government”?? hosted by Hosted by Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation.? Date: Wednesday, November 27, from 10 - 11 a.m.? Registration: https://lnkd.in/gW6scd5s "Fireside Chat: The State of EV Charging and the Driver Experience"?? hosted by ChargerHelp, Inc? Date: Monday, December 2, from 12 - 1:30 p.m.? Registration: https://lnkd.in/gmtCe586? ? "Solving the Marketing Mystery: the 5Ws - Session 1"?? hosted by California Department of General Services? Date: Thursday, December 5, from 10 - 11:30 a.m.? Registration: https://lnkd.in/g-i6i4cW? ? "Caltrans District 4 Small Business Quarterly Outreach "?? hosted by @Caltrans District 4? Date: Friday, December 6, from 11 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.? Registration: https://lnkd.in/gSGyD6hA? ?? ?? #OSDSBusinessOutreach #SmallBusiness #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise #Procurement #WednesdayWatchlist???

As a Certified #SmallBusiness or #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise, it's essential to understand how your business stacks up against the competition—especially when it comes to State contracts. That’s where the Certified SB/DVBE Spend Comparison Dashboard comes in!? This powerful tool allows you to compare state spending between Certified Small Businesses (SB) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) and non-certified firms. By leveraging this data, you can identify trends, spot gaps, and target the right opportunities more effectively.? Here’s how it works:? ? Search by Fiscal Year – Narrow your data to the specific year you're interested in.? ? Search by UNSPSC Number or Description– Use UNSPSC to find spending data for the categories that match your products or services.? ? Compare Spend – The dashboard lets you see how much is being spent by both Certified Firms vs. Non-Certified Firms for each category, giving you insight into where the big opportunities lie.? ? Why is this valuable?? It empowers you with a data-driven approach to targeting the right agencies and departments, helping you strategically position your business for success in the state procurement space.? Remember: The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to seize opportunities and grow your business. Get started with the Certified SB/DVBE Spend Comparison Dashboard today and use the data to propel your business forward https://lnkd.in/gVhANkVz ? Follow us and stay connected for more tips and support! Our “Essential Tuesday” posts offer tips, how-to, resources and advice to help #SmallBusiness and #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise firms gain an edge in state contracting. To reach OSDS call us at (916) 375-4940 or email?[email protected].?? #OSDSBusinessOutreach #SmallBusiness #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise #Procurement #GovernmentContracting?

The Office of Small Business and DVBE Services had the pleasure of attending the "2024 Caltrans North Region Procurement Fair" hosted by Caltrans District 1, Caltrans District 2 and Caltrans District 3 at the California Department of General Services headquarters in West Sacramento.? Held in-person for the first time since 2019, the event brought together a dynamic community of vendors, contractors, and state agencies to discuss sourcing, purchasing, and upcoming bid opportunities. And suppliers who attended were given a 90-day priority purchasing preference giving those who participated in the in-person event a competitive edge in securing contracts! It was a fantastic opportunity for #SmallBusinesses and #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise firms to strengthen relationships and access new opportunities in the government contracting. This year’s Procurement Fair was an invaluable opportunity to network with key stakeholders such as Caltrans, Department of General Services, SMUD, California High-Speed Rail Authority, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and many more, along with dozens of Northern California Prime contractors! The event also featured two insightful presentations: “Doing Business with Caltrans” and “Doing Business with the State of California” to help new businesses get started in pursuing certification. Thank you to everyone who attended and made the event a success!? #SmallBusiness #DVBE #Caltrans #ProcurementFair #StateOpportunities #Networking #DoingBusinessWithCaltrans #PublicProcurement #SmallBusinessSupport?

The Office of Small Business and DVBE Services (OSDS) was proud to sponsor the “8th Annual VIB Network National Conference" hosted by our strategic partner Veterans In Business (VIB) Network. Over 400 veteran business owners from across the country gathered in beautiful San Diego to connect, collaborate, and share insights.? The conference featured engaging activities and inspiring speakers, setting the stage for an action-packed two-day event. A key moment for our OSDS team was participating in the Tactical Networking session, connecting with veteran entrepreneurs and partners from diverse industries. OSDS Branch Chief, Anda Draghici contributed to the Government Contracting Panel, offering valuable insights into contracting opportunities for veteran-owned businesses. The OSDS team also providing tailored support and guidance to veterans seeking business opportunities through the Matchmaking session. We engaged with hundreds of attendees during the exhibition, strengthening connections and answering questions about resources available for veteran entrepreneurs. The conference wrapped up with a M*A*S*H-themed awards ceremony, recognizing the outstanding contributions of businesses and organizations that make VIB such a vibrant and impactful network. A huge congratulations to VIB for organizing such a powerful and successful event, and to everyone who participated. We look forward to continuing to support our veteran business community and help them thrive in the world of government contracting! #VeteranBusiness #VIB2024 #Networking #VeteranOwned #OSDS #GovernmentContracting #SmallBusinessSupport #DVBE #VeteranEntrepreneurs #VIBNationalConference?

Office of Small Business and DVBE Services (OSDS) was thrilled to participate in the “2024 OneLA Procurement Fair” hosted by our strategic partner the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. This dynamic event encouraged businesses to "Get in the Game" by learning how to prepare for procurement opportunities across California. It was a great chance for #SmallBusinesses and #DVBE firms to connect with government agencies and industry leaders guiding these important initiatives.? ?? #OSDS held a panel discussion to share insights on DGS Small Business certifications, emphasizing how businesses can increase visibility, access preference programs, and position themselves effectively for future opportunities. We also participated in one-on-one matchmaking sessions, providing guidance to attendees on how to position their businesses for upcoming procurement demands.?? ?? Plus, attendees passed by our exhibit table for resources and expert advice to help them understand the steps they need to prepare for major contracting opportunities.? ?? All in all, an excellent event showcasing the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and OSDS commitment to empowering small businesses and helping them take proactive steps toward success.?? ?? #OneLAProcurementFair #SmallBusinessCertification #GovernmentContracting #GetInTheGame?

"PROCON Interactive" hosted by Small Business Diversity Network Date: Wednesday, November 20, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Registration: https://lnkd.in/ggWDqYJX "Caltrans North Region Procurement Fair" hosted by Caltrans?? Date: Wednesday, November 20, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.? Registration: https://lnkd.in/gwNMqqaW "Veteran Success: Honoring Service and Empowering Business Growth" hosted by SBDC North San Diego County Date: Thursday, November 21, from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.? Registration: https://lnkd.in/gHKhPhwj "Solving the Marketing Mystery: the 5Ws - Session 1" hosted by California Department of General Services Date: Thursday, December 5, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Registration: https://lnkd.in/g-i6i4cW ? #OSDSBusinessOutreach #SmallBusiness #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise #Procurement #WednesdayWatchlist

Owners of Certified #SmallBusiness and #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise firms know that opportunities don't just land in their laps. Success in state contracting comes from perseverance, knowledge, and following best practices. One best practice is using research tools to learn of potential contracting opportunities for your certified business. The Department Spend Dashboard is a valuable no-cost resource for understanding spending budgets and purchasing needs of state departments and agencies.? This research tool can help uncover valuable insights:? ? Total Spend by Department – how much a department spends in any given fiscal year.? ? Spend by Acquisition Type – breakdown of spending by type? ? Non-IT Services? ? Non-IT Goods? ? IT Services? ? IT Goods? ? Departments and acquisition types that align with the products or services you provide? ? A clear roadmap for where to focus your marketing efforts and how to position your business for state contracting success. Key takeaway – the more you understand the spending habits of state agencies, the better you can strategically target your outreach and maximize your efforts. Take the guesswork out of the equation – explore the Department Spend Dashboard and empower your business to thrive https://lnkd.in/gVhANkVz Follow us and stay connected for more tips and support! Our “Essential Tuesday” posts offer tips, how-to, resources and advice to help #SmallBusiness and #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise firms gain an edge in state contracting. To reach OSDS call us at (916) 375-4940 or email?[email protected].?? #OSDSBusinessOutreach #SmallBusiness #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise #Procurement #GovernmentContracting?

Join the Office of Small Business and DVBE Services, San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network, City of Oceanside and San Diego County Regional Airport Authority at the “Veteran Success: Honoring Service and Empowering Business Growth” event next Thursday, November 21 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Small business owners, veteran owned businesses and entrepreneurs are invited to connect and collaborate with resource partners, advisors and procurement professionals.?? Don’t miss this chance to: Learn practical strategies and lessons from veterans who have transitioned into entrepreneurship.? Discover how APEX Accelerators, SBA, and SBDCs support your business with resources and guidance.? Connect with government agencies, prime contractors, and resource partners to explore new business opportunities. Follow the link below for free registration and further details. We hope to see you there! https://lnkd.in/gHKhPhwj #OSDSBusinessOutreach #SmallBusiness #DisabledVeteranBusinessEnterprise #DVBE #CalEProcure #Procurement #StateProcurement #StateContracting?