How We’re Building California: A Guide to State Contracting and Our Commitment to Excellence

At Stronger Built, we believe in more than just high-quality construction; we believe in being a reliable partner for the infrastructure that powers our state. We recently tuned into a detailed briefing by the California DGS Office of Small Business and DVBE Services regarding how businesses can effectively support State of California projects.

Here is a look at what it takes to do business with the State, and how Stronger Built is positioned to meet those needs.

1. Understanding the "Gold Standard" of Certification

The State of California is committed to economic diversity, specifically through the Small Business (SB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)programs. These aren't just labels—they are a mandate (under Prop AB19) to ensure at least 25% of state contract dollars go to small businesses and 3% to disabled veteran-owned firms.

As a DVBE-certified contractor, Stronger Built is proud to help state agencies meet these goals while delivering the specialized expertise required for complex general contracting projects.

2. Speaking the Language: UNSPSC Codes

One of the most critical takeaways from the DGS briefing was the importance of UNSPSC codes (United Nations Standard Products and Services Code). Unlike the federal government’s NAICS codes, the State uses these 8-digit codes to identify exactly what a business provides.

We have optimized our profiles and our service offerings to align with these standards, ensuring that when state buyers look for "General Building Construction" or specialized "Site Preparation," Stronger Built appears as a qualified match.

3. The Power of "Commercially Useful Function" (CUF)

A major focus of the state’s presentation was CUF. This ensures that certified businesses are actually performing the work they are contracted for—managing, supervising, and executing the project rather than acting as a "pass-through."

At Stronger Built, our Class B General Contractor license (#1057434) is the foundation of our CUF compliance. We take full responsibility for the distinct elements of our work, from negotiating price to determining quality and executing the build.

4. Beyond the Bid: Emergency Readiness

The DGS highlighted an often-overlooked opportunity: the Emergency Registry. When disaster strikes—whether it’s fire, flood, or infrastructure failure—the state bypasses the traditional long-form bidding process to call on registered contractors who are ready to move at a moment’s notice.

Because we maintain a fleet of equipment and a ready-to-deploy team, we are committed to being part of California’s emergency response network, providing "drop-of-a-hat" service when the community needs it most.