TechCA’s Small Business Committee has adopted a Small Business Platform outlining policy priorities to expand opportunities for small businesses and disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBEs) in California state technology contracting. The platform emphasizes fair and transparent procurement practices, streamlined contracting processes, timely payments, meaningful participation in state technology projects, and stronger collaboration between government and the small business community.

1. General Small Business Principles

• 1.1 Support policies that promote fair, transparent, and practical access to California state technology contracting opportunities for SBs and DVBEs.
• 1.2 Support policies that recognize the role of small businesses in delivering specialized technology services, innovation, competition, and local economic development.
• 1.3 Support procurement practices that reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on vendors and state officials while preserving accountability, performance standards, and procurement integrity.
• 1.4 Support greater communication, education and engagement among state departments, agencies, small business advocates, and the technology industry.
• 1.5 Support policies that improve cash flow, timely payment and predictable contracting processes for small businesses doing business with the state.

2. Vendor and Professional References

• 2.1 Support streamlining the vendor and professional reference process to reduce workload on state officials who are asked to participate in repeated reference checks.
• 2.2 Support reusable vendor references that may be valid for a defined period, including potential use of the eVAQ process or another state-approved technology solution.
• 2.3 Support reference processes that preserve quality assurance while reducing duplicative requests that disproportionately burden small businesses and state staff.
• 3. Payment Terms and Deliverables-Based Contracts
• 3.1 Support streamlined and transparent ways to reduce net payment terms and communicate the importance of cash flow for small businesses.
• 3.2 Support policies and practices that encourage timely state review, approval, and payment for completed deliverables.
• 3.3 Support clearer expectations for departments and vendors when contracts are structured around deliverables, including realistic review timelines and defined approval processes.
• 3.4 Support breaking large deliverables into smaller monthly or milestone-based components when appropriate, particularly for information technology consulting services.
• 3.5 Support greater involvement by information technology subject-matter experts when departments construct deliverables-based contracts.

4. Small Business and DVBE Programs

• 4.1 Support modular contracting strategies that break large IT acquisitions into smaller, discrete contracts or task orders, enabling small businesses to bid as prime contractors, lowering project risk, and aligning procurement with iterative digital service delivery.
• 4.2 Support increased awareness, communication, education, and advocacy related to small business and DVBE participation in information technology consulting services, solutions, and procurements.
• 4.3 Support greater engagement with small business advocates across departments and agencies to identify barriers, share best practices and improve participation in technology procurements.
• 4.4 Support continued updates on activities related to procurement thresholds for small businesses doing business with the state.

5. Procurement Incentives and Contracting Vehicles

• 5.1 Support examination of mandatory and optional incentive policies, including how small business and DVBE target goals are applied in solicitations.
• 5.2 Support review of how small business and DVBE incentives are permitted or restricted in Technology, Digital and Data Consulting, CMAS and other leveraged procurement vehicles.
• 5.3 Support exploration of a sliding-scale approach to small business and DVBE incentives on larger requests for proposals when such an approach would increase participation, competition, and value to the state.
• 5.4 Support practical approaches to small business and DVBE carve-outs that expand opportunity while recognizing current statutory and policy limits.

6. Teaming and Prime Contractor Participation

• 6.1 Support strategies, events, and practical guidance to help information technology consulting services firms team with prime contractors on larger solicitations.
• 6.2 Support policies and practices that encourage prime contractors to include qualified small businesses in meaningful roles rather than limited or symbolic participation.
• 6.3 Support education for small businesses on how to evaluate teaming opportunities, manage risk and participate effectively in larger state technology projects.