DBE Certifications in California

California’s General Order 156 (GO 156) outlines program guidelines to promote utility recruitment and use of women and minority-owned business enterprises. Procurement goals of 5% for women and 15% for minorities were initially established, and 1.5% goal for disabled veteran enterprises. In 2015, the California Public Utilities Commission expanded the Supplier Diversity Program to include LGBT-owned businesses however a specific quota was not established.

Statewide Certification Programs

The Supplier Clearinghouse under the supervision of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

Description:
The Supplier Clearinghouse certifies women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran-owned business firms and publishes a directory for use by participating utility companies and the public. The program provides certified MBE, WBE, DVBE, and LGBTBE firms the opportunity to participate in a wide range of business opportunities.

Benefits:

  • No fee
  • Official recognition of your Women, Minority, Service Disabled Veteran, or LGBT-owned business enterprise status
  • Promotion and visibility to the CPUC and 16 major utility companies
  • Inclusion in pertinent marketing and bid announcement events
  • Faster contracting processes

Qualifications (must meet all):

  • The firm is majority-owned (>51%) by minorities, women, and/or LGBT individuals
  • The firm is managed and controlled on a daily basis by minorities, women, and/or LGBT individuals
  • The firm is an independent business

Application Process:

  1. Visit here to apply.
  2. You will be required to upload your tax return and sign an affidavit.
  3. Upon receipt of all required documents, the process takes approximately 45 days to 90 days.

Contact Information:
[email protected]
(562) 325-8685

State Chamber of Commerce:

Local and Regional Programs

Los Angeles

City of Los Angeles Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification

Description:
The Office of Contract Compliance (OCC), Centralized Certification Administration (CCA) is responsible for administering the City’s certification program. It certifies qualified firms for DBE, ACDBE, MBE, WBE, and SLBE status for the City of Los Angeles. CCA maintains the City of Los Angeles Directory of certified DBE/ACDBE/MBE/WBE and SLBEs.

Qualifications:

  • Minority Business Enterprise
    • For-profit and independent business
    • Owners meet licensing requirements
    • Business is at least 51% owned and controlled by United States citizens or legal permanent residents who are members of the following groups: Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, Subcontinent Asian American
  • Women Business Enterprise
    • For-profit and independent business
    • Owners meet licensing requirements
    • Business is at least 51% owned and controlled by United States citizens or legal permanent residents who are women

Apply Here

Contact Information:
[email protected]

Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (BAVN)

Description:
BAVN is a free online portal provided by the City of Los Angeles and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development that connects businesses with City contracting opportunities.

Qualifications:
BAVN currently offers certification for disadvantaged business owners; disabled veterans; minority-owned businesses; women-owned businesses; small, emerging, and local businesses; and LGBTQ+ businesses.

Apply Here

Chamber of Commerce:

Sacramento
San Francisco

San Francisco Business Portal Vendor Database
Become a certified City vendor and expand your business! Create a Vendor Profile with the SF Office of Contract Administration (OCA). Businesses that qualify as small and/or locally-owned businesses and have female or and/or ethnic minority owners, may be designated as Woman-Owned (WBE) or Minority-Owned (MBE) businesses.

Apply Here

Chamber of Commerce:

Silicon Valley

Valley Transport Authority Business Diversity Programs
VTA’s Business Diversity Programs include the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program for federally funded projects; the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program for state-funded projects; and the Minority Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise (DVBE), and the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Business Enterprise (LGBT) programs for locally funded projects.

Through these diversity programs, VTA assists certified businesses seeking construction, purchasing, and professional services contracts.

Apply Here

Chamber of Commerce:

San Diego
Other

Chamber of Commerce: