Contracting Programs for Small-local, Veteran, Nonprofit, and Other Organizations

We are committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable local economy. We want to provide more contracting opportunities for:

  • Small and local businesses
  • Nonprofits
  • Veteran-owned businesses
  • Organizations that address economic, social, and environmental disparities

Small-Local Business Preference Program

Benefits

If you have a "small-local business," we evaluate your bid or proposal as if it is 15% cheaper than what you proposed. 

Small-local businesses will also have more subcontracting opportunities. Many contracts over $1 million will have a requirement to subcontract at least 3% of the contract to small-local businesses.

Eligibility

Your business or organization must qualify as both:

  • Small business OR Social Equity Enterprise (SEE)
  • Local business

It can be for-profit or nonprofit.

Definitions

Local business

Meets at least one of the following criteria:

  • Your main office or headquarters is in San Diego County
  • You have a physical location in San Diego County where regular business work is done
  • You are part of a legal partnership or joint venture where at least one member meets the above criteria and:
    • Performs a commercially useful function
    • Has an ownership stake in the business
    • Is not simply a subcontractor        

Small business

The County defines small businesses broadly so more organizations can qualify. To qualify as a small business, you must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Have one of the following certifications:
    • California Small Business
    • Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)
    • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
    • Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
  • Meet the following employee count and revenue criteria of a Small Business or Small Business for the Purpose of Public Works:
Eligibility Small business Small business for the purpose of public works
Maximum employee count 100 200
Average Gross Annual Receipts cap over the last three tax years $18 million $43 million
  • Register as a nonprofit organization with the State of California. Budget at employee count are sam as Small Business criteria (see table above)
  • Have a certification from another public agency recognized by the County as part of the Reciprocal Small-Local Business Certification Program:
    • HubZone
    • City of San Diego Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE)
    • City of San Diego Emerging Local Business Enterprise (ELBE)    

Social Equity Enterprise (SEE)

A SEE is a business or nonprofit deeply rooted in advancing equity. They operate in and for the benefit of historically underinvested communities.

SEEs meet at least one of the following:

  • Has main place of business or headquarters in an area of San Diego County that qualifies for New Market Tax Credits (NMTC). You can see the areas on the Community Development Institutions Fund Map.
  • Mainly provided services to Low-Moderate Income (LMI) populations or justice-involved communities in the previous 12 months.
  • Mainly provided services to advance environmental or climate justice in the previous 12 months.
  • Provides pro bono services in San Diego County:
    • Donates a minimum of 1% of products or services to LMI populations; or
    • Donates a minimum of 1% of gross annual revenue to philanthropy; or,
    • Is at least 51% owned by, and whose management and daily operations are controlled by, persons qualifying as Low-Moderate Income or are justice-involved.   

How to qualify

You do not need to pre-qualify as a small-local business. When you respond to a procurement, select that you are a small-local business and submit a self-certification.

Veteran-Owned Business and Disabled Veteran Business Program

We want to recognize veterans' service by supporting their participation in County contracting.

Benefits

Eligible businesses will qualify as a small business. They get benefits of the Small-Local Business Preference Program.

Disabled veteran businesses are eligible for direct contract awards up to $75,000. They do not need to compete.

Eligibility

You must be certified as one of the following:

  • State of California certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)
  • Certified by the federal government as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
  • Certified by the federal government as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

How to qualify

If you hold any of the certifications above, you are qualified.

Reciprocal Small-Local Business Certification Program

A business may meet the County’s definition of a “Small Business” if they hold certain certifications from other public agencies. If a business meets the County's definition of both “Small Business” and “Local Business”, they qualify for the Small-Local Business Preference Program, see above.

Other Public Agency Certifications recognized:

  • HUBZone
  • Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOB)
  • Small Business (SB) -California
  • Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)
  • Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) City of San Diego
  • Emerging Local Business Enterprise (ELBE) City of San Diego\

How to qualify

You do not need to pre-qualify and the County is not a certifying agency. You should ensure you have the appropriate documentation available as proof of eligibility and follow the instructions in the procurement packet when applying.

Other information

For more information or to recommend we add a certification to the Reciprocal Small-Local Business Certification Program, please contact econdev@sdcounty.ca.gov.