For California vendors
How to Register on Cal eProcure and Sell to the State of California
California runs its own front door for state purchasing: Cal eProcure. Complete a free supplier profile and state agencies can find you for the work you do — and unlike a lot of states, registration and the Small Business and DVBE certifications cost nothing. Here's what Cal eProcure is, how to register, how to pick the right UNSPSC codes, and how the free Small Business certification earns a 5% bid preference — with a separate incentive for veteran-owned DVBEs — on state contracts.
We’re an independent tool built by a small team. We’re not affiliated with the California Department of General Services, the Office of Small Business & DVBE Services, or any government agency. Registering on Cal eProcure, getting SB or DVBE certified, and searching state bids are always free to do directly on the state’s official systems, and the UNSPSC reference below is a preliminary guide, not the official record.
What Cal eProcure is and why it matters
Cal eProcure is California’s online procurement portal, run by the Department of General Services (DGS) and its Office of Small Business & DVBE Services (OSDS). It is where you register as a supplier, where you apply for state certifications, and where the state advertises its open solicitations. In plain terms: a complete Cal eProcure profile is how the state finds you, and being certified is how you earn preferences that make your bid more competitive.
New to government contracting entirely? get your federal SAM.gov registration set up first, then come back here for the California-specific steps — or read our guide to winning your first government contract.
Registration and certification are free
Here is the good news up front: registering as a supplier on Cal eProcure costs nothing, and applying for California Small Business (SB) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification is also free— there is no application or certification fee. You don’t even need a login just to search posted opportunities.
This is different from some other states. Texas’s CMBL, for example, charges a $70 annual fee. California doesn’t. So if a third-party site offers to “register” or “certify” your business in California for a fee, you don’t need it — everything here is done directly on the state’s official system at no cost. Your only real investment is the time to fill out the profile accurately.
Step-by-step: registering on Cal eProcure
Create your Cal eProcure account
Set up a supplier account on Cal eProcure, California's online procurement portal run by the Department of General Services. This is where your company profile, your UNSPSC codes, and any certifications all live.
Complete your Supplier Registration
Fill in your business profile: legal name, contact details, business type, and the email address where you want opportunity notices to go. A stale email quietly costs you bids, so keep it current.
Select your UNSPSC codes
Choose the UNSPSC codes for the goods and services you provide. These codes drive how agencies find you, so pick only what closely matches your work. The searchable family finder below helps you narrow it down before you drill into the exact classes and commodities.
Apply for SB and/or DVBE certification
Optional but worth it: apply for California Small Business (SB) and, if you qualify, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification through the same portal. Both are free and unlock the bid preference and set-aside advantages covered below.
Picking the right UNSPSC codes
This is the step that trips up most new suppliers, because your codes shape how the state and its buyers find you. California classifies goods and services with the UNSPSC (United Nations Standard Products and Services Code), which nests in four levels: Segment(the broadest grouping) → Family → Class → Commodity (the most specific). Each level adds two digits, so a family is 4 digits and a commodity is 8.
The guiding principle is simple: pick the codes closest to what you actually provide. Too many and you drown in irrelevant notices; too few and you miss real work. Start by finding the right families below, then drill into the exact classes and commodities when you complete your Cal eProcure profile.
Try a trade or keyword like “roofing”, “janitorial”, “IT services”, or “staffing” — or type a family code like “7215”. Leave it blank to browse them all.
Showing 58 of 58 curated families.
- 2711Tools
Hand Tools
Includes: wrenches, drills, saws, screwdrivers, hammers.
- 3010Structures
Structural Steel Shapes & Basic Metal Forms
Includes: beams, channels, angles, grating, hollow structural sections.
- 3011Structures
Concrete, Cement & Plaster
Includes: concrete and mortars, cement and lime, plasters, aggregates.
- 3012Structures
Road & Landscape Materials
Includes: asphalt, paving materials, road base, soil stabilizers.
- 3013Structures
Masonry & Structural Building Products (Block, Brick, Tile)
Includes: blocks, bricks, tiles and flagstones.
- 3014Structures
Insulation Materials
Includes: thermal insulation, specialty insulation, sealing layers.
- 3015Structures
Exterior Finishing Materials (Roofing, Siding, Fencing)
Includes: roofing materials, siding, rain gutters, fencing.
- 3016Structures
Interior Finishing Materials (Flooring, Millwork)
Includes: flooring, ceiling materials, cabinetry, molding and millwork, countertops.
- 3017Structures
Doors, Windows & Glass
Includes: doors, windows, glass products, skylights, gates.
- 3018Structures
Plumbing Fixtures
Includes: faucets, sanitary ware, shower heads, sinks.
- 3019Structures
Construction & Maintenance Support Equipment
Includes: ladders and scaffolding, construction sheds and trailers, formwork.
- 3026Structures
Metal Stock & Structural Raw Materials
Includes: aluminum bar and sheet, brass stock, steel stock, coil.
- 3116Manufacturing Components
Hardware (Fasteners & Fittings)
Includes: bolts, anchors, brackets and braces, clamps, connectors.
- 3121Manufacturing Components
Paints, Primers & Finishes
Includes: paints and primers, paint applicators, solvents and thinners.
- 3911Electrical Systems
Lighting Fixtures & Accessories
Includes: interior lighting fixtures, exterior lighting fixtures, emergency lighting.
- 3912Electrical Systems
Electrical Equipment, Components & Supplies
Includes: circuit protection devices, electrical boxes and enclosures, distribution and control centers, connectors.
- 3913Electrical Systems
Electrical Wire Management (Conduit & Raceway)
Includes: conduit and busways, wire raceways, wire protection devices.
- 4010Distribution
Heating, Ventilation & Air Circulation (HVAC)
Includes: heating equipment, cooling equipment, boilers, ventilation, air circulation.
- 4015Distribution
Industrial Pumps & Compressors
Includes: pumps, compressors, pump parts and accessories.
- 4017Distribution
Pipe, Piping & Pipe Fittings
Includes: commercial and industrial pipe, pipe fittings, flanges, adapters.
- 4319Information Technology Broadcasting
Communications Devices & Accessories
Includes: personal communication devices, communication device accessories.
- 4321Information Technology Broadcasting
Computer Equipment & Accessories
Includes: desktops, laptops, servers, monitors, peripherals.
- 4322Information Technology Broadcasting
Network & Data / Voice Equipment
Includes: network connectivity equipment, call management systems, network security equipment.
- 4323Information Technology Broadcasting
Software
Includes: business function software, data management software, development software, software licenses.
- 4617Defense
Security Surveillance & Detection
Includes: surveillance and detection equipment, access control, locks and security hardware.
- 4618Defense
Personal Safety & Protection (PPE)
Includes: face and head protection, fall protection, respiratory protection, hearing protectors.
- 4619Defense
Fire Protection
Includes: fire fighting equipment, fire prevention, extinguishers, sprinklers.
- 4712Cleaning Equipment
Janitorial Equipment
Includes: floor machines, cleaning equipment, janitorial carts, waste containers.
- 4713Cleaning Equipment
Cleaning & Janitorial Supplies
Includes: cleaning and disinfecting solutions, brooms and mops and brushes, restroom supplies, wipes.
- 7210Building
Building & Facility Maintenance & Repair Services
Includes: building maintenance and repair, facility maintenance, pest control, conveyance/elevator repair.
- 7211Building
Residential Building Construction Services
Includes: single family dwelling construction, multi-unit dwelling construction.
- 7212Building
Nonresidential Building Construction Services
Includes: commercial and office building construction, industrial plant construction, public building construction.
- 7214Building
Heavy Construction Services
Includes: highway and road construction, paving, land preparation, marine construction.
- 7215Building
Specialized Trade Construction & Maintenance Services
Includes: plumbing, HVAC, electrical, roofing and siding, painting, drywall, concrete, glass and glazing, carpentry, masonry.
- 7610Industrial Cleaning Services
Decontamination & Abatement Services
Includes: hazardous material decontamination, disinfection, abatement.
- 7611Industrial Cleaning Services
Cleaning & Janitorial Services
Includes: general building and office cleaning, building component cleaning, custodial.
- 7612Industrial Cleaning Services
Refuse Disposal & Treatment
Includes: refuse collection and disposal, recycling services, landfill services.
- 7613Industrial Cleaning Services
Toxic & Hazardous Waste Cleanup
Includes: toxic spill cleanup, oil spill cleanup, nuclear waste treatment.
- 7812Transportation
Material Packing & Handling Services
Includes: material handling services, packing.
- 7814Transportation
Transport Services
Includes: transport arranging services, logistics operation management, terminal services, courier.
- 7818Transportation
Vehicle & Transport Maintenance Services
Includes: vehicle maintenance and repair, fleet maintenance, panel and paint services.
- 8010Management
Management Advisory (Consulting) Services
Includes: business and corporate management consulting, project management, industrial management.
- 8011Management
Human Resources & Staffing Services
Includes: temporary personnel services, personnel recruitment, staffing, human resource development.
- 8012Management
Legal Services
Includes: business law, civil liability, administrative law.
- 8013Management
Real Estate Services
Includes: real estate management, lease and rental of property, escrow and title services.
- 8014Management
Marketing & Distribution Services
Includes: market research, sales and business promotion, mailing services, trade shows and exhibits.
- 8016Management
Business Administration Services
Includes: management support services, office equipment rental or leasing, administrative support.
- 8017Management
Public Relations & Professional Communications
Includes: media relations, publicity and marketing support, crisis management, brand management.
- 8110Engineering
Professional Engineering Services
Includes: civil engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, chemical engineering, structural engineering.
- 8111Engineering
Computer Services (IT)
Includes: computer programmers, software development, hardware maintenance and support, data services, help desk.
- 8116Engineering
Information Technology Service Delivery
Includes: managed IT services, cloud services (SaaS, IaaS, PaaS), access management, hosting.
- 8211Editorial
Writing & Translation Services
Includes: technical writing, creative writing, language interpretation, editorial services.
- 8214Editorial
Graphic Design
Includes: art design services, graphic display services, 3D visualization.
- 8411Financial
Accounting & Bookkeeping Services
Includes: accounting services, audit services, taxation and preparation, corporate finance.
- 8413Financial
Insurance & Retirement Services
Includes: property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, pension and retirement funds.
- 8610Education
Vocational Training
Includes: vocational training services, in service training, manpower development.
- 8613Education
Specialized Educational Services
Includes: management education and training, educational support services.
- 9212National Defense
Security & Personal Safety Services
Includes: guard services, security systems services, detective services, armored car services.
These are 4-digit families — the middle tier. Each opens into more specific 6-digit classes and 8-digit commodities (for example, family 7215 contains separate classes for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, roofing, and concrete work). This is a preliminary reference, not the official record; pick your exact classes and commodities when you register your business in Cal eProcure.
California Small Business (SB) certification
California’s SB certification is the workhorse credential for selling to the state. It’s free, and it earns you a real edge on bids. The state’s goal is to direct at least 25% of its contracting dollars to small businesses, and certified small businesses get a 5% bid preference when a non-small business submits the lowest or highest-scored bid — a margin that decides a lot of close awards.
Who qualifies as a California Small Business
Last verified: July 16, 2026 · Source: dgs.ca.gov / caleprocure.ca.gov
- Independently owned and operated, and not dominant in its field of operation.
- Principal office located in California, with the owners (officers, if a corporation) domiciled in California.
- 100 or fewer employees, including affiliates.
- Average annual gross receipts of $19,000,000 or less over the previous three tax years — or, if you are a manufacturer, 100 or fewer employees with no gross-receipts cap.
Microbusiness and public-works variants: a small business is automatically designated a microbusiness if its gross annual receipts are $6,000,000 or less, or it is a manufacturer with 25 or fewer employees. There is also a separate Small Business for the Purpose of Public Works (SB-PW) standard — 200 or fewer employees and average annual gross receipts of $46,000,000 or less. These dollar thresholds are adjusted periodically for inflation, so confirm the current figures on dgs.ca.gov before you rely on them.
Not sure which set-asides and certifications you qualify for across federal and state programs? Run our set-aside eligibility checker to see your options in one place.
California DVBE — and why it is not the federal SDVOSB program
The Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) program is California’s certification for veteran-owned firms. The state’s goal is to direct at least 3% of its contracting dollars to DVBEs, and certified firms are eligible for DVBE incentives and the SB/DVBE Option on state contracts. According to DGS, a business qualifies when it is:
- At least 51% owned by one or more disabled veterans (an LLC must be wholly owned by one or more disabled veterans).
- Daily business operations managed and controlled by one or more disabled veterans.
- The veteran owner has a service-connected disability of at least 10%.
- The disabled veteran owner resides in California.
California DVBE is a state program, distinct from the federal SDVOSB program — don’t confuse the two. DVBE is run by the California Department of General Services and only helps with California state contracts. The federal Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) program is run by the U.S. Small Business Administration and helps with federal contracts. They have different certifiers, different eligibility rules, and different opportunities — holding one does not certify you for the other.
Selling to the federal government too? Check your federal eligibility with our SDVOSB certification checker — it’s a separate track you can pursue alongside California DVBE.
After you register: finding and bidding on California work
Your Cal eProcure profile gets you found; the solicitations themselves are advertised on the California State Contracts Register (CSCR), which you reach through Cal eProcure’s contract search. By statute the state advertises its contracts for services over $5,000 on the CSCR, and postings run for at least 10 working days before the bid is due. Anyone can search the CSCR without a login — when a posting fits, you read the solicitation and submit your response by its instructions.
You don’t have to watch every portal by hand. Browse live bids in our feed — we pull California and federal opportunities into one place with a plain-English summary and fit score for each, so you can decide whether to bid without reading a 200-page solicitation.
Selling to the federal government too?
California contracts are only half the market. Federal work runs through SAM.gov, where registration is free — make sure yours is set up, valid, and current before a deadline catches you.
Common questions
- Is Cal eProcure free to use?
- Yes. Registering as a supplier on Cal eProcure costs nothing, and applying for California Small Business (SB) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification is free — there is no application or certification fee. You also don't need a login just to search posted bids. This is different from some other states (for example, the Texas CMBL charges a $70 annual fee). If a third-party site asks you to pay to register or get certified in California, you don't need it — do it directly on the state's official system.
- Do I have to register or get certified to bid on California contracts?
- You generally don't need to be certified to submit a bid on most California state solicitations — anyone can search and respond to opportunities. Two things make it worth doing anyway. Completing a Cal eProcure supplier profile with your UNSPSC codes is how agencies find you and how you line up notifications for the work you do. And SB or DVBE certification unlocks real advantages: a 5% small business bid preference on evaluation, and eligibility for the SB/DVBE Option that lets agencies award smaller contracts to certified firms after taking a couple of quotes.
- Which UNSPSC codes should I pick, and how many?
- Pick the codes closest to what you actually provide. California classifies goods and services with UNSPSC (United Nations Standard Products and Services Code), which nests as Segment > Family > Class > Commodity. Over-selecting buries you in irrelevant notices; under-selecting means you miss real work. Use the searchable family finder on this page to narrow to the right 4-digit families, then drill into the exact 6-digit classes and 8-digit commodities when you complete your profile in Cal eProcure.
- Who qualifies as a California Small Business?
- As verified July 16, 2026, a California Small Business is independently owned and operated, has its principal office in California, is owned by people domiciled in California, is not dominant in its field, and stays under the size limits: 100 or fewer employees and average annual gross receipts of $19,000,000 or less over the previous three tax years (manufacturers qualify with 100 or fewer employees, with no gross-receipts test). A certified small business is automatically designated a microbusiness if its gross annual receipts are $6,000,000 or less, or it is a manufacturer with 25 or fewer employees. For public-works bidding there is a separate SB-PW standard (200 or fewer employees and $46,000,000 or less in average annual gross receipts). These dollar figures are adjusted periodically, so confirm the current numbers on dgs.ca.gov before you rely on them.
- Is California DVBE the same as the federal SDVOSB program?
- No — they are two separate programs, and this trips up a lot of veteran-owned firms. California DVBE (Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise) is a state program run by the Department of General Services and only helps with California state contracts. The federal Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) program is run by the U.S. Small Business Administration and helps with federal contracts. Different certifiers, different eligibility rules, different opportunities. Being certified in one does not make you certified in the other, so if you sell to both the state and the federal government, you generally pursue both.
- Where are California state bids posted?
- State solicitations are advertised on the California State Contracts Register (CSCR), which you reach through Cal eProcure. By statute the state advertises its contracts for services over $5,000 on the CSCR, and postings run for at least 10 working days before the bid is due. You can search the CSCR without logging in. BidGovContracts also pulls opportunities into one feed with a plain-English summary and fit score for each, so you can decide whether to bid without reading the full solicitation.
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