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

To participate in the UC Small Business First Program, please learn more about this pilot program on our website. The following US government issued certifications are accepted for the Small Business First Program:

Small Business
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business

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 Business
Small Disadvantaged Business
Woman Owned Business
Veteran Owned Business
Service Disabled 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)