What is a California DVBE?

The short version

A DVBE is a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise certified by the California Department of General Services, Office of Small Business and DVBE Services. California law establishes a participation goal of at least 3% of state contract dollars for DVBEs. When a department buys from a certified DVBE, the spend counts toward that goal.

What certification requires

DVBE certification is a California state program with its own eligibility rules covering disabled veteran ownership and control, and business size limits aligned to the state's small business standards. It is administered by DGS, and certification is free to apply for.

What it is not

• Not the federal SDVOSB program. SDVOSB is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration and applies to federal contracting. DVBE applies to California state contracting. A firm may hold one, both, or neither. See the comparison.
• Not the DBE program. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise is a separate federal transportation program administered through USDOT with different eligibility criteria.
• Not a guarantee of award. Certification creates eligibility and preference mechanisms; it does not obligate any agency to buy.

What it does for a buying agency

• Participation credit. Spend counts toward the department's 3% DVBE goal.
• Access to the SB/DVBE Option. Purchases between $5,000.01 and $249,999.99 can be made directly with certified firms after two quotes, without advertising. Details here.
• Bid preferences and incentives. Many solicitations include a DVBE incentive applied during evaluation for bidders meeting or exceeding participation requirements.

Our certification

Anchor Ridge Solutions holds California DVBE certification, ID 2053715, current through July 2028, and California Small Business (Micro) certification. Both are verifiable through Cal eProcure.

General information only. Confirm current program rules with DGS.

Common questions

What is the California DVBE participation goal?

California sets a goal of at least 3% of state contract dollars for Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises. The parallel small business goal is 25%.

Is DVBE the same as SDVOSB?

No. DVBE is a California state certification administered by DGS. SDVOSB is a federal certification administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. They have separate applications and separate eligibility rules.