DVBE Certification in California
What Prime Contractors Need to Know
If you're a prime contractor in California’s public sector, you’ve likely seen the DVBE participation requirement on bids. But many teams rush to find a certified partner at the last minute, without fully understanding how DVBE certification in California works or how it can benefit your business.
Here’s a practical breakdown of what the certification means for primes, why it matters, and how to find a qualified DVBE subcontractor without the usual stress.
What Is DVBE Certification in California?
The State of California created the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) program to promote participation of disabled veteran-owned businesses in state procurement.
To become certified, a business must:
Be at least 51% owned by one or more disabled veterans
Have the daily operations controlled by a disabled veteran
Be domiciled in California
Be officially certified by the Department of General Services (DGS)
Once approved, the business is listed in the California DGS DVBE Directory, which contracting officers and primes use to verify participation and validate bids.
Why Should Prime Contractors Care?
California state agencies and departments are required to meet a 3% DVBE goal on most procurements. This means that prime contractors who don’t include a certified DVBE in their bid may lose evaluation scorecard points — and the entire contract.
Benefits of working with a certified DVBE include:
Eligibility for DVBE incentives and bid preferences
Improved bid scores
Faster compliance reviews
Stronger partnerships with public agencies
The Problem: Certification ≠ Readiness
Here’s where many primes run into issues: not every certified DVBE is proposal-ready or has the experience to operate as a reliable subcontractor.
At California Veteran DVBE Strategies LLC, we bridge that gap. We combine:
Active California DVBE certification
Experience across 130+ awarded contracts
Rapid response for teaming requests
Expertise in documentation and public compliance
We’re not just certified — we’re ready, informed, and built to deliver.
How We Help Prime Contractors Succeed
As your DVBE subcontractor, we support:
Teaming strategy and documentation (STD 843, DVBE declarations, etc.)
Responsive communication during short bid windows
Ongoing contract support and post-award compliance
We’ve supported primes on projects with Caltrans, CalSTRS, CalPERS, and numerous local governments — and we bring the same reliability to every engagement.
Find a California-Certified DVBE Subcontractor — Fast
When you visit CaliforniaVetDVBE.com, you’re not searching a directory — you’re connecting with an experienced, certified, and responsive DVBE partner already working with top contractors across the state.
Let’s simplify your next proposal.
📩 Contact us today for a teaming agreement, certification documents, or a quick call to scope your opportunity.
