Small and Diverse Business Certification Process

University of California has a goal of 25% small business utilization for overall annual contract dollars.

Accepted Certification Categories

Small Business First Program

The following US government issued certifications are accepted for the UC Small Business First Program:

• Small Business
• Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business

To participate in the UC Small Business First Program, please learn more about this pilot program on our website. 

Other Economic and Socially Responsible Programs

UCLA also acknowledges other US Government Certifications, however they are not currently accepted for the Small Business First Program.  For your participation in other Economic and Socially Responsible programs at UCLA, the following US government issued certifications are accepted, but only the two above are accepted for the Small Business First Program:

• Small Disadvantaged Business
• Woman Owned Business
• Veteran Owned Business
• LGBTQ Owned Business
• Minority Owned Business
• 8 (a) Business Development
• HUBZone

Certification Agencies

The following agencies offer certification process free of charge:

Federal System for Award Management 

• Eligibility requirement and benefits
• Available Certifications: Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Woman Owned Small Business, Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Business, 8 (a) Business Development, HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
• Note: Please make sure you do not choose private registration, which means that other entities cannot find you in the system and confirm your certified status.

California Department of General Services Cal eProcure

• Eligibility requirement and benefits
• Available Certifications: Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise.
• Instructions: Go to Cal eProcure site, please click on Get Certified at the bottom of the box on the left Under Small Business/Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise
• Note: You will need to complete two steps via https://caleprocure.ca.gov/pages/ 1) register as a Sourcing Bidder, 2) get certified. 

California Public Utilities Commission

• Eligibility requirement and benefits
• Available Certifications: Women-owned, Minority-owned, LGBT-owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses

US Department of Veteran Affairs

• Eligibility requirement and benefits
• Available Certifications: Veteran Owned Business
• Note: Please read Prepare for Verification Instructions to speed up your verification process 

Small Business Certification Benefits

• 25% government-wide contracting goal for small business utilization
• Eligible for small business set-aside and federal contracts
• Application of a five percent small business preference on applicable State solicitations 
• Placement in governmental databases
• Placement on Small Business List (UCLA)

Recently Added Small and Diverse Businesses