How to sell to California government
Where California posts bids, how to register as a vendor, which certifications help, and what is open right now. Every portal and rule links to its official source.
Facts checked
Where California posts bids
State agencies post on Cal eProcure.[1] Certification is the lever in California: the SB/DVBE Option lets agencies buy from certified firms up to $250,000 with two quotes and no public ad.
Open bids right now
BidRover is tracking 941 open bids in California, from state agencies and local governments. Most common categories:
- Construction & facilities · 208
- General procurement · 203
- Transportation & logistics · 83
- Environmental & energy · 66
- Professional services · 58
- Goods & supplies · 56
- Software & digital services · 53
- Utilities & telecommunications · 27
- Pre-Development Agreement Marine Container Terminal Pier 500California, United States · Due Dec 10, 2026
- Zero-Emission Truck Purchasing Incentive ProjectCalifornia, United States · Due Dec 3, 2026
- Construction Management Support Services for Navy Way and Seaside Avenue Interchange ImprovementsCalifornia, United States · Due Jan 28, 2027
- Federal Legislative and Policy Advocacy ServicesCalifornia, United States · Due Nov 19, 2026
- Internal Affairs Investigations ConsultantCalifornia, United States · Due Nov 10, 2026
- Southern Mono Healthcare District - Mammoth Lakes: telecommunications and broadband servicesUnited States · Due Nov 18, 2026
Step by step
- 01
Register on Cal eProcure bidder registration
Free. Register with your FEIN (or SSN for sole proprietors). Registering does not certify you; small-business and DVBE certification are separate applications inside Cal eProcure.[2]
- 02
Choose your commodity codes
Notifications are sent by the codes in your vendor profile. Pick every code that describes your work, and revisit them when you add a service.
- 03
Get certified if you qualify
Small Business (SB) and Micro Business, through the DGS Office of Small Business & DVBE Services. Free, applied for inside Cal eProcure. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), through the DGS Office of Small Business & DVBE Services. The state's goal is 3% of contract dollars to DVBEs.[3][3]
- 04
Watch local buyers too
Cities, counties and authorities in California post separately. BidRover reads 6 California sources, listed below, in one search.
When a formal bid is required
Under the SB/DVBE Option (Government Code 14838.5), agencies may award contracts above $5,000 and below $250,000 without advertising, using quotes from at least two certified small businesses or two DVBEs.[2]
Tips
- Federal transportation DBE certification is separate and runs through the California Unified Certification Program, not Cal eProcure.
California sources BidRover reads
- Los Angeles County Solicitations · Municipal
- California Grants Portal · State grants and loans
- San Francisco Open Bid Opportunities · Municipal procurement
- Los Angeles RAMP Open Bid Opportunities · Municipal and regional procurement
- Port of Los Angeles Requests for Proposals · Port of Los Angeles
- California Cal eProcure Open Events · State departments
Questions
Where does California post government bids?
State agencies post on Cal eProcure (https://caleprocure.ca.gov/). Many cities, counties and authorities in California post on their own sites as well, so check the ones you want to sell to.
How do I register as a vendor with California?
Register through Cal eProcure bidder registration. Cost: Free. Register with your FEIN (or SSN for sole proprietors). Registering does not certify you; small-business and DVBE certification are separate applications inside Cal eProcure.
Does California certify small or diverse businesses?
Small Business (SB) and Micro Business (DGS Office of Small Business & DVBE Services): Free, applied for inside Cal eProcure. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) (DGS Office of Small Business & DVBE Services): The state's goal is 3% of contract dollars to DVBEs.
When does California require a formal bid?
Under the SB/DVBE Option (Government Code 14838.5), agencies may award contracts above $5,000 and below $250,000 without advertising, using quotes from at least two certified small businesses or two DVBEs.
Sources
- dgs.ca.gov/PD/Resources/Page-Content/Procurement-Division-Resources-List-Folder/Cal-eProcure-Portal-to-Access-Bid-Opportunities
- dgs.ca.gov/-/media/Divisions/PD/OSDS/Outreach/Resources/2026/DVBE_Brochure_Web_4-2026.pdf
- dgs.ca.gov/PD/Services/Page-Content/Procurement-Division-Services-List-Folder/Apply-for-or-Re-apply-as-Small-Business-Disabled-Veteran-Business-Enterprise