Financial Affairs

Small Business First

With the Small Business First program, the University of California is committing to providing contracting and procurement opportunities with certified Small Businesses (SBs), Microbusinesses (MBs), and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs). The University has established the Small Business First policy to increase the utilization of these businesses in alignment with UC’s sustainability goals and overall mission. Our goal is to award 25% of our total spend to small, diverse, and local businesses.

Image of Open Sign that reads Support Local Businesses

How It Works

All non-construction UC contracts and procurements between $10,000 to $250,000, that cannot be procured via an existing strategically-sourced agreement, should try to be awarded to a SB/MB or DVBE, wherever practicable.

We encourage one quote from a SB/MB or DVBE for purchases between $10,000 to $99,999.99, and two quotes for procurements between $100,000 and $250,000.

Preparing To Participate

How Suppliers can prepare to participate in the Small Business First program

Get certified as a Small Business (SB) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) with your local certifying agency–see sample list of SB/DVBE accepted certifications on UC’s Small Business First webpage

Familiarize yourself with UC's Terms & Conditions to ensure you can meet them

Review UC’s insurance requirements to ensure you have the appropriate limits

Subscribe to UC’s Small Business Supplier List to get more information about the Small Business First program

Questions and resources

Direct any questions about this program to UCSC’s Strategic Sourcing Department at strategicsourcing@ucsc.edu

Visit UC’s Small Business First webpage to learn more about the program, read FAQ’s, and stay up to date on this program!

Small Business Toolkit coming soon!

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Small Business First

​How It Works

​Preparing To Participate

​Questions and resources

How It Works

Preparing To Participate

Questions and resources