Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certifications

The Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification programs were established to increase business opportunities for the DVBE and SB communities with the State of California; thereby stimulating the state's overall economy.  The programs are designed to help DVBEs and SBs participate in a more level playing field with certain advantages when competing against other non-DVBEs and non-SBs for state contracts and purchases.  Certified firms can also take advantage of other DVBE and SB benefits.

Every year, each state agency must submit to the legislature an annual report that tracks contract award activity involving DVBEs and SBs.  The report must demonstrate that the various participation goals have been met or exceeded.  If the minimum goals are not met, the agency must provide a sound justification and the remedial action they will take to attain or exceed the goal(s) the following year.

The Department of General Services (DGS), Procurement Division (PD), Office of Small Business and DVBE Certification (OSDC) is the state's certifying agency that administers the DVBE and Small Business Certification Programs.  While small business and DVBE certification is the OSDC's primary role, they also assist SBs and DVBEs in a variety of ways including conducting outreach events, providing resource guidance, and supporting the businesses through advocacy.

State of California Microbusiness Certification

Microbusiness (MB) certification is a subset classification of small business (SB) certification.  Therefore, all MBs are also SBs.  There is no separate formal MB certification.  It is a designation they receive based on the size of their business, which is determined by gross annual receipts averaged over a three-year period and the average number of employees over four quarters.

For more information on State of California small business certifications, please click here.