Strategic Initiatives

When vetting a small business, if you find that is not economically advantageous, you will need to fill out a waiver request if awarding a large business. You will need backup documentation with a quote from a SB (small business) or DVBE (disabled veteran business enterprise) attached to your waiver request with a thorough explanation why a contracted supplier or a certified small business is not being utilized. 

Departments can purchase high-quality, 100% PCW paper at contracted prices from Office Depot through UCIBuy+.

Recently, UC Procurement has negotiated 100% PCW paper to be at the same price, if not lower than 30% PCW paper! See below for additional sustainable and cost-saving tips:

• Set printer default to double-sided printing.
• Set default to print black and white, and only print in color when necessary.
• Minimize use of printing emails or unnecessary cover sheets.
• Minimize printing copies of reports or documents for meetings, if available electronically.
• Use Print Preview to view what will actually print.
• Print only necessary pages (use Print Range).
• Reduce margins (under Page Setup).
• Print multiple slides per page when preparing presentation handouts.

No, but we highly recommend using a small business when possible.

Yes, please note that not all existing small or diverse vendors have up-to-date certifications. Search for certified SBs/MBs or DVBEs through single sign-on or contact us by opening up a ticket and selecting Supplier Diversity - Small Business First, Help Finding a Certified Small or Disabled Vet Business for further assistance.

• Explorer.io (Recommended) (training video )
• Cal eProcure (training video )

See this short list of accepted certifying agencies for our Small Business First program.

If you are selecting a contracted supplier you may continue to work with them.

However, if your selected supplier is not contracted and your purchase falls between $10,000 and $250,000 and none of the other exemptions apply , then you will need to find a certified small business or disabled veteran business enterprise through Explorer.io or contact us by opening up a ticket and selecting Supplier Diversity - Small Business First, Help Finding a certified Small or Disabled Vet Business.

You may also ask the supplier to get certified if they qualify. More information is found on our Supplier Small Business Program page. 

No, but you can identify if a supplier is a certified small business in Amazon Business. 

No, the SBF program does not apply to circumstances where a federal grant, court decision, or court order requirements dictate how funds can be expended.