SAM.gov Registration, Small Business Certification & Government Proposal Writing in California
Serving clients nationwide from California. SAM.gov, UEI, CAGE, SBA and DSBS profiles, certification assistance, federal proposals and grants, plus Cal eProcure, DIR and vendor registration for California city, county, school district, airport and public agencies. Handled end to end.
We take you from unregistered to under contract — federal, state and local registrations, the certifications that open set-aside work, and the bids and grants that follow.
Based in San Bernardino and working across the Inland Empire, Riverside County, Orange County, Los Angeles County and Southern California — and nationwide on federal work. See the markets we serve →
Get Registered. Get Certified. Win the Work.
Every step from your first registration to a signed award. We handle the paperwork that makes you eligible, the certifications that make you competitive, and the proposals that win the contract.
What We Do
SAM.gov Registration
UEI Number & Entity Validation
Cal eProcure Registration
SBA & DSBS Profile Setup
Local & Public Agency Vendor Registration
Certification Assistance
Bid & Proposal Writing
Grant Writing
Prime Contractors: Find Certified Small Business Subcontractors and Meet Your SB, DVBE and DBE Goals
Winning a public contract often means meeting small business participation goals. California’s goals are 25% SB and 3% DVBE, and federal agencies have their own subcontracting plan requirements. GERC helps primes meet those goals and document them properly.
A woman-owned business. Certified as a California Small Business (Micro) and SB-PW. Registered in SAM.gov (CAGE 11SD2) and Cal eProcure. Primary NAICS: 541611, 541618, 541690. View our capability statement →
How We Support Prime Contractors
- Small business subcontracting plan support: We draft and review small business subcontracting plans that are ready for compliance review.
- Subcontractor outreach and vetting: We find and pre-qualify certified SB, MB, DVBE, DBE, 8(a), HUBZone, WBE and MBE firms that fit your NAICS codes and scope.
- Good faith effort documentation: We handle outreach logs, solicitations and records when participation goals can’t be fully met.
- Proposal support for prime contractors: We write volumes, build compliance matrices, write up past performance and edit final proposals for federal, state and local RFPs.
- Teaming partner readiness: We get your small business partners registered in SAM.gov, Cal eProcure and DSBS before the proposal is due.
Portfolio
GERC’s research, proposal and grant services are designed for organizations across the Inland Empire and California, including:
Logistics, Trucking & Warehousing
Vendor registration, DOT and freight infrastructure funding, public agency bids
Construction & Public Works
SB-PW certification, prevailing wage bids, public works solicitations
Transportation
Feasibility research, DOT infrastructure funding strategy
Housing & Infrastructure
Affordable housing grant proposals, CHDO development support
Manufacturing
Workforce and modernization grants, defense supply chain registration
Aerospace
Feasibility research, SBIR/STTR funding support
Energy & Environment
Clean energy grants, climate resilience funding research
Water & Utilities
Infrastructure funding research, agency vendor registration
Waste, Recycling & Environmental Services
CalRecycle and state programme applications, agency contracts
Healthcare & Community Services
Federal and foundation health funding, community programme proposals
Education & Workforce Development
Department of Education and workforce board funding
Food Systems & Agriculture
Local agriculture development proposals, USDA grant applications
Security Services
Federal RFP responses, vendor registration support
Professional, Staffing & Business Services
Vendor registration, certification, and public sector bidding
Oil & Gas
Funding research and grant writing for sustainability transitions
Public Agencies & Special Districts
Grant research, proposal development, procurement support
Nonprofits & Tribal Governments
Formation, 501(c)(3), capacity-building research, grant compliance
Meet Our Leadership
Led by Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, GERC assembles a collaborative team of researchers, analysts, economists, proposal strategists, and legal consultants with diverse backgrounds in law, economics, policy, and business development. Our cross-sectoral experience and global perspective enable us to align in-depth research with practical strategy, empowering clients to secure funding, scale operations, and achieve tangible results.
Dr. Shirley Ayangbah Founder & Lead Strategist
Dr. Ayangbah, a multidisciplinary scholar with a PhD in International Economic and Financial Law, an MA in Economics, and extensive experience in leading cross-border grant development, research consulting, and feasibility studies, is passionate about harnessing data and policy to foster inclusive growth and development. Read her full profile →
Dr. Yaling Ho
Senior Consultant, International Securities & Financial Law
Dr. Yaling Ho, a seasoned legal scholar with a PhD in International Law and an MA in Economic Law, brings over a decade of expertise in international financial regulation, U.S. securities law, and legal harmonization. Her work encompasses academic research, cross-border compliance, and policy advisory. Driven by a passion for advancing legal frameworks that promote transparency, security, and inclusive global markets, Dr. Ho is dedicated to making a positive impact on the legal landscape.
Zhaoxia Yi
Senior Consultant, Innovation & Global Strategy
Featured Projects
Frequently Asked Questions About Government Contracting and Small Business Certification
SB certification (California)
What is California Small Business (SB) certification?
It’s a state certification issued by the Department of General Services (DGS). Certified firms get a 5% bid preference on state contracts, and state agencies can use simplified purchasing with them. It also makes your firm attractive to primes that need SB participation.
Who qualifies for California SB certification?
Your business must be independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field, and have its principal office in California. It must also have 100 or fewer employees and average annual gross receipts of $19 million or less over the last three tax years, including affiliates.
What is the difference between SB, Micro Business (MB) and SB-PW?
Micro Business is a subset of SB for smaller firms, with gross receipts of $6 million or less. SB-PW (Small Business for Public Works) is for construction and public works firms and allows up to $46 million in gross receipts and 200 employees.
How much does SB certification cost, and how long does it take?
The state charges no fee. DGS typically processes a complete application in 30 to 45 days, but missing or mismatched documents are the most common cause of delays.
How long does SB certification last?
Certification lasts two years. You can renew starting 90 days before it expires. If you let it lapse, you lose your bid preference and your listing in the state’s certified firm search.
Where do I apply for SB certification?
You apply online through Cal eProcure (caleprocure.ca.gov). GERC prepares and submits the application and supporting documents, then responds to any DGS requests.
Can I be certified as both SB and DVBE?
Yes. DVBE (Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise) is a separate certification for firms at least 51% owned and managed by a disabled veteran. Many firms hold both, which makes them especially valuable to primes, since state contracts carry a 3% DVBE participation goal.
Is California SB certification the same as federal small business status?
No. Federal small business status is based on SBA size standards for your NAICS code and is self-certified in SAM.gov. Federal certifications such as 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and SDVOSB are separate programs.
SAM.gov and federal contracting
How long does SAM.gov registration take?
It usually takes 7 to 10 business days after you submit, but entity validation problems can add weeks. We fix name and address mismatches before submission to avoid delays.
Is SAM.gov registration free?
Yes. SAM.gov is free, and you should never pay the government a fee to register. Consultants like GERC charge only for preparation, troubleshooting and ongoing management.
What is a UEI number, and do I need a CAGE code?
The UEI (Unique Entity ID) is the federal ID that replaced the DUNS number. A CAGE code is assigned during SAM.gov registration, and you need both to bid on federal contracts.
What is the 8(a) Business Development Program?
It’s a nine-year SBA program for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Participants can receive set-aside and sole-source contracts.
For prime contractors
How can GERC help a prime contractor meet small business goals?
We identify and vet certified subcontractors, prepare subcontracting plans and document good faith efforts, so your bid stays responsive and compliant.
Can GERC help our subcontractors get certified before a bid deadline?
Yes. We prepare SAM.gov, Cal eProcure, SB, DVBE and DBE applications for your teaming partners quickly, so they can become eligible to count toward your participation goals.