CaliforniaGovernment Contracts
Federal and state contracting opportunities, certifications, and procurement resources for California contractors.
Definition
California government contracts are federal and state procurement opportunities awarded to businesses operating in or serving California. These include Department of Defense, civilian agency, and CA state contracts across industries like technology, healthcare, construction.
Overview
California ranks among the top states for federal contract spending, receiving over $60 billion annually. The state's diverse economy supports contracting across technology, aerospace, healthcare, and environmental services. Major federal installations include Edwards Air Force Base, Naval Base San Diego, and multiple NASA facilities.
Why This Matters for Contractors
California's massive state budget (over $300 billion) and federal presence create dual opportunities for contractors. The state's SB/DVBE program is one of the most structured in the country, and the technology sector creates particularly strong demand for IT modernization and cybersecurity contracts.
Key Industries in California
CA State Certifications
SB/DVBE (Small Business / Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise)
California mandates a 25% small business participation goal and 3% DVBE goal for state contracts. Both certifications are administered by the Department of General Services.
DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
Required for Caltrans federally-funded transportation contracts, with specific goals varying by project.
Top Federal Agencies in California
CA State Procurement Portal
Cal eProcure
https://caleprocure.ca.gov
This is California's official state procurement portal where all state agency solicitations are posted. For federal contracts in California, search SAM.gov or use GCFinder's state filter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a certified small business in California?
Apply through the California Department of General Services (DGS) Office of Small Business and DVBE Services. The SB certification requires your business to be independently owned, have its principal office in California, and meet revenue limits. DVBE certification requires at least 51% ownership by disabled veterans. Both can be applied for simultaneously.
What federal agencies have the most contracts in California?
The Department of Defense is the largest federal contract source in California, driven by bases like Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, Edwards AFB, and Vandenberg SFB. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Ames Research Center, plus Department of Energy national labs (Lawrence Livermore, Sandia), are also major sources.
What is California's DVBE requirement?
California requires a 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goal on state contracts. Many solicitations include DVBE incentives that give bidders additional evaluation points for including DVBE participation, making DVBE certification or partnering with DVBE firms a competitive advantage.
How do I find California state and federal contracts?
For state contracts, use Cal eProcure (caleprocure.ca.gov), California's official procurement portal. For federal contracts performed in California, search SAM.gov filtered by state. GCFinder provides unified search across federal opportunities with California-specific filtering.
Find California Contracts
Search thousands of federal contracting opportunities in California. Filter by agency, NAICS code, set-aside type, and more.