What is California DVBE Certification — And Why It Matters to Prime Contractors
California’s Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification program is more than a well-meaning initiative—it's a powerful tool for veteran-owned businesses and prime contractors seeking an edge in public sector bidding.
But what exactly is DVBE certification, and why should it matter to you as a prime contractor?
Let’s break it down.
What Is California DVBE Certification?
The California DVBE certification is issued by the Department of General Services (DGS) and designates that a business is majority-owned and operated by a disabled veteran. To qualify, the business must meet strict eligibility criteria, including:
At least 51% ownership by one or more disabled veterans
Daily business operations and control are handled by a disabled veteran
The veteran(s) must be honorably discharged and meet the service-connected disability requirement
Once certified, the business is officially listed in the California Statewide DVBE Directory, making it eligible to participate in DVBE programs and preference initiatives across the state.
Why Does It Matter in Public Contracting?
Most California state contracts include a 3% DVBE participation goal, meaning that prime contractors are strongly encouraged — and often rewarded — for including certified DVBEs in their bids.
Teaming with a certified DVBE can:
Improve your proposal score through preference points or compliance credit
Make your bid eligible for specific set-aside or incentive programs
Demonstrate your commitment to diversity and public contracting best practices
How California Veteran DVBE Strategies LLC Helps
At California Veteran DVBE Strategies LLC, we're not just certified, we’re ready. We aim to support prime contractors like you by making DVBE participation simple, credible, and beneficial.
Whether you need:
A responsive DVBE for teaming on a current bid
Documentation and certifications are ready for proposal submission
A long-term DVBE partner for ongoing compliance
Searching for a DVBE Subcontractor? Start Here.
You don’t need to guess who’s ready. We built CaliforniaVetDVBE.com for one reason:
To help prime contractors easily find a reliable, proposal-ready DVBE partner.
We’ve worked with primes across various sectors — from IT to infrastructure and administrative services — and we know what agencies expect.
Let’s Connect
Need a certified California DVBE partner for an upcoming bid?
📩 Contact us today for certification, past performance, and teaming documentation.
