Section 14846 Of Article 2. Small Business Advocacy From California Government Code >> Division 3. >> Title 2. >> Part 5.5. >> Chapter 6.5. >> Article 2.
14846
. (a) (1) Using existing resources, each state agency shall
consolidate its existing staff functions that relate to contract
opportunities for small business into a single point of contact for
small businesses and designate a small business advocate as a liaison
to small business suppliers.
(2) Each small business advocate shall, at a minimum, provide for
both of the following:
(A) Make information regarding pending solicitations available to,
and consider offers from, California small business suppliers
capable of meeting the state's business need, and who have registered
with the state for this purpose.
(B) Ensure that payments due on a contract with a small business
are made promptly, as provided for in Section 926.15 or 927,
whichever applies.
(3) This subdivision shall not apply to state agencies whose
contracting expenditures total less than one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000) annually.
(b) Prior to placing orders under the California multiple awards
schedule program, state agencies shall first consider offers from
small businesses that have established multiple award schedules
whenever practicable.
(c) State agencies shall identify and implement innovative
acquisition operating processes, including payment processes, and
strategies for small business participation. To maximize the
benefits, state agencies shall actively share information about these
innovative processes with other state agencies.
(d) State agencies shall prepare solicitations, and any related
bid submission requirements, in a manner consistent with the scope,
complexity, and anticipated cost of the acquisition. Where
appropriate, state agencies shall provide bidders with simplified and
streamlined tools and methods for responding to solicitations that
allow bidders to efficiently, expeditiously, and cost-effectively
respond to the contracting opportunity.