How To Do Business with the State of California & the Federal Government

Getting your business into the government marketplace can feel like learning two different languages at once. Whether you are looking at the State of California or the Federal Government, the goal is the same - stable revenue and growth - but the rulebooks are different. Join us for specific roadmaps to help you navigate both landscapes.
Session 1: How to do Business with the State of California. The California Department of General Services (DGS) is your gatekeeper here. California has a "Small Business First" policy, meaning they actively look to spend money with certified local firms.

Topics will include: Types of Certifications (i.e., SB-Smal Business, DVBE-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise); Key Concepts & Tools such as Cal eProcure the online portal where you register your business, apply for certifications, and search for bid opportunities;

Certification Benefits - bid preference and access to contracts; Commercially Useful Function - actually doing the work; and Emergency Registration – a dedicated list for certified businesses ready to provide goods/services during disasters (fires, floods, etc.)

Session 2: How to do Business with the Federal Government 101 - The federal marketplace is the largest in the world. The California Capital APEX Accelerator is a free resource designed to help you navigate this complex space.

Topics include: Why Go Federal – Government required set aside of 23% of all prime contracting dollars for small businesses; The Registration Roadmap - SAM.gov - System for Award Management (SAM) mandatory registration; UEI (Unique Entity ID) - Replaced the old DUNS number; North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes describe your products or services; Federal Set-Aside Programs - 8(a) Business Development for socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses; HUBZone - For businesses located in "Historically Underutilized Business Zones," etc.