Small Business Program

THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM OVERVIEW
As of June 30, 2013, the Toll Bridge Small Business Program (SBP) has documented payments of $259 million to more than 330 individual small businesses, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) on Seismic Safety Projects on the Antioch, Dumbarton and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridges. Over $200 million has been paid to local firms.
In regard to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Seismic Safety Project, $252 million has been paid to small businesses, DVBEs and DBEs, with 78% or $198 million paid to local firms.
Some additional facts:
- Small Businesses, DVBEs and DBEs have performed essential elements of bridge construction
- The SBP established a strategic partnering model that is unique to capital construction projects and this structure has produced measurable results
- Prime contractor involvement with subcontractor training is essential to the success of small businesses
- The SBP actively worked in partnership with prime contractors to identify unobligated work in order to maximize small business, DVBE and DBE subcontractor opportunities
The vision of the SBP was to create an integrated program to benefit local and minority small businesses based on public and private sector partnerships. The key element of partnerships is building relationships to promote access, foster growth and facilitate the transfer of technology. The effort to develop and implement the SBP reflects the scope, scale and effort needed to construct a world class bridge.
STEP ONE: Get Certified
Make sure you are currently registered as a small business or disabled veteran business enterprise.- Check your certification status at the Dept. of General Services website
- Small Business Certification Overview
- DVBE Certification Overview
STEP TWO: Get the status of current contract opportunities
- Caltrans District 4 (Bay Area) construction contract opportunities
- Caltrans Architectural & Engineering contract opportunities
STEP THREE: Advertise your services to prime contractors
RESOURCES
The Alameda County Small Business Development Center works with Caltrans to help disadvantaged and small business construction and professional service firms, providing free or low-cost training and free one-on-one counseling to improve success in winning and performance on public works contracts.
City Build is an employment service program under the Workforce Development Division of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, which provides workforce training and job referral services to San Francisco residents interested in pursuing a career in the construction industry and assists contractors working on City Construction Projects with their local hiring obligations.
Cypress Mandela Training Center, located in Oakland, is a workforce development program providing skilled trades training to men and women.
Oakland Private Industry Council provides accessible, high quality training and employment services to local residents and employers.
The Department of General Services – Procurement Division, Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS) is the State’s certifying agency that administers the Small Business and DVBE Certification Programs. Non-profit organizations and non-profit Veteran Service Associations receive registration upon application approval. In addition, the OSDS’ Communications & Outreach section assists Small and Disabled Veteran businesses by participating in outreach events, providing resource guidance and supporting the businesses through advocacy.
State of California Procurement Division (PD) is the central purchasing authority for all California State departments, agencies, institutions, community colleges, technical institutes and boards of education. Each year the agency procures almost $10 billion of goods and services ranging from pencils to temporary labor.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Small Business Administration – San Francisco Office
- Department of Business, Transportation and Housing – Small Business Enterprise
- Caltrans Office of Business and Economic Opportunity
- Department of General Services Small Business and DVBE Services
- California Small Business Development Center
- Caltrans Connect/opt-in
- Caltrans Bid Posting and Submittals On-Line

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM OUTREACH
In 2007, the Small Business Program launched a proactive outreach effort to increase small business and Disbabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DBVE) participation in construction contracts, with particular focus on the Bay Bridge's new East Span.
For future events, small businesses and DVBEs are encouraged to bring marketing materials, qualification information, client references and other useful information to better position themselves for potential contract opportunities.
- Caltrans District 4 small business events and activities
- Statewide small business events and activities
BIDDERS' CONFERENCE: Removal of the original SFOBB East Span Superstructure
August 21, 2014
On August 21, 2014, Caltrans District 4 held a Bidder’s Conference for the removal of the original San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge east span. Meeting materials and resources for attendees are available below:
BIDDERS' CONFERENCE: Yerba Buena Island Transition Structure, Contract 2
June 14, 2012
The Bidders' Conference for the Yerba Buena Island Transition Structure, Contact 2 (YBITS 2) provided contract information to prospective bidders and facilitated meetings between potential prime contractors and small businesses.
- YBITS2 Bidder Conference Agenda
- Presentation
- Project Schedule
- Project Location
- Attendee List
- Historical Bay Bridge Photos and Technical Photos from Constructability Tour (PDF, 13.3 MB)
- Structure Display Photos (PDF, 10.9 MB)
- Cantilever Truss Photos (PDF, 5.6 MB)


Contact the Small Business Program at smallbizconstruction@dot.ca.gov

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The Small Business Program includes producing events and collateral materials, designed to educate prospective businesses about the Bay Bridge Seismic Safety Projects and to help identify valuable resources and provide opportunities to help small businesses grow and thrive.
Professional development and technical assistance courses, held in both San Francisco and Oakland, are lead by industry experts/ These free workshops delve into a variety of relevant topics to provide real-world knowledge and insight to small businesses gain a competitive edge.
Workshops topics have included Bonding and Insurance, Bidding and Estimating, Doing Business with Caltrans, Subcontractor Essentials, and the Caltrans Owner Controlled Insurance Program.
Future workshops will also provide technical assistance, including Capacity Building. Capacity Building is a comprehensive effort to provide small businesses with the assistance needed to increase their business management skills, long-term viability and success on public projects.
Have an idea for a useful workshop topic? Let us hear from you! Contact us at smallbizconstruction@dot.ca.gov.
Downloadable Documents:
■ Capacity Building Factsheet
■ Small Business Education and Training Program Overview
■ 2007 Small Business Survey
■ 2008 Small Business Post Award Survey
PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS

COST ESTIMATING, BIDDING AND COST CONTROLS - PART 1
Presented November 3, 2011
Course Documents:
■ Cost Estimating, Bidding and Cost Controls - Part 1 - Training Presentation
■ Attendee List
COST ESTIMATING, BIDDING AND COST CONTROLS - PART 2
Presented November 10, 2011
Course Documents:
■ Cost Estimating, Bidding and Cost Controls - Part 2 Training Presentation
■ Attendee List
BIDDING AND ESTIMATING - PART 1
Presented August 12, 2010
Course Documents:
■ Bidding and Estimating – Part 1 Training Presentation
BIDDING AND ESTIMATING - PART 2
Presented September 16, 2010
Course Documents:
■ Bidding and Estimating – Part 2 Training Presentation
HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH CALTRANS /
CALTRANS OPT-IN WORKSHOP
Presented July 29, 2010
Course Documents:
■ How to do Business with Caltrans
■ Caltrans Opt-In Presentation
COST ESTIMATING, BIDDING AND COST CONTROL
October 29, 2009 and Dec 16, 2009
Course Documents:
■ Cost Estimating, Bidding and Cost Control

SUBCONTRACTOR ESSENTIALS, PART 1
Presented May 28, 2009
Course Documents:
■ Subcontractor Essentials, Part 1 Syllabus
SUBCONTRACTOR ESSENTIALS, PART 2
Presented June 11, 2009
Course Documents:
■ Subcontractor Essentials, Part 2 Syllabus
■ Caltrans Standard Specifications and Caltrans Standard Plans
■ California Department of Industrial Relations
■ Occupational Health and Safety Administration
■ Caltrans Construction Manual
■ Caltrans Quick Reference Guide
BONDING AND INSURANCE
Presented November 15, 2007
Course Documents:
■ Caltrans Insurance Req_Standard Specs
■ Bonding & Insurance Presentation
CALTRANS OWNER-CONTROLLED INSURANCE PROGRAM (OCIP)
Presented December 5, 2007
Course Documents:
■ OCIP Manual
■ Oakland Touchdown 1 OCIP Specifications
■ Caltrans District 4 OCIP Presentation