Doing Business with California

The state spends billions every year – $13.35 billion in contracts in fiscal year 2023-24 – buying everything from office equipment to construction services, food and hospitality and even goats. Conducting research using The State Contract & Procurement Registration System (SCPRS) that tracks past purchases can help you identify what products and services state departments buy, how much they’ve paid, the type of acquisition method and the name of the business awarded the contract.

And to take your research a step further, use DGS Dashboards to find how large of a market there is for your product or service.

Just like in the private sector, you want to identify the best person to whom you pitch your business or service. You’ll want to establish and build a relationship with this key person over time. Most state departments have an Advocate. Advocates can wear a few hats, but they are the ones you talk to about your company. Provide the Advocate with a capabilities statement and ask questions about the department’s buying habits and future purchases. Find a state department advocate.

This is one of the most critical questions to ask before placing a bid, and one that a small business owner often overlooks. Contract readiness is more than just becoming state certified. Getting your first award contract is exciting. But, before you leap into pursuing state contracting opportunities, it’s important to look at the health and sustainability of your business, systems, capacity, insurance and financials.