California government bids for small agencies

Where California, its cities and counties post their bids, how to register, and the open ones that suit a small web, software, video or marketing agency right now.

Open right now (5)

Integrated media & marketing support, Bay Area MTC (upcoming RFQ) Pro ★★★★★ Metropolitan Transportation Commission (Bay Area) due 2026-11-16 Marketing & PR
Strategic media consulting & crisis communications, Port of Long Beach Pro ★★★★★ Port of Long Beach due 2026-12-08 Marketing & PR
Enhance LA's digitized certification system (BCA) Pro ★★★☆☆ City of Los Angeles: Information Technology Agency due 2026-11-24 Software
ERP requirements & selection support, LAUSD Pro ★★★☆☆ Los Angeles Unified School District due 2026-12-01 IT services
Adult Protective Services case management system, LA County Pro ★★★☆☆ County of Los Angeles due 2026-12-16 Web Software

Where California posts its bids

State bids: Cal eProcure. State bid opportunities are posted in the California State Contracts Register (CSCR) and searched on Cal eProcure. The event search page is public.
Register as a vendor: Cal eProcure supplier registration. DGS directs businesses to Cal eProcure to register and find bidding opportunities on state contracts. SB/DVBE certification applications are also filed there.
Technology buying: California Multiple Award Schedules (CMAS). A DGS program covering IT products and services, non-IT services and commodities. Approved CMAS suppliers form a pool that state and local agencies can request offers from instead of running a full competitive bid; suppliers apply to join.
Small business certification: Small Business (SB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification. The DGS Office of Small Business and DVBE Services (OSDS) certifies SBs and DVBEs. Certified small businesses get a 5% bid preference on applicable state solicitations and access to the SB/DVBE Option.
Free bid coaching: APEX Accelerators (DoD locator for California centers): the state's APEX Accelerator helps small businesses with registrations and proposals at no cost.

Big city, county and agency buyers

Each of these runs its own bid page, and most want you registered in their system too.

Buyer	Bid page	Runs on
City of Los Angeles	Open bids	RAMPLA (Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement)
Los Angeles County	Open bids	their own website
City of San Diego	Open bids	PlanetBids
County of San Diego	Open bids	BuyNet (county system)
City and County of San Francisco	Open bids	SF City Partner (city system)
County of Orange	Open bids	OpenGov Procurement
City of Sacramento	Open bids	PlanetBids

Good to know

Certified small businesses get a 5% bid preference on applicable California state solicitations. source
The state's goal is to use DVBEs in at least 3% of its overall annual contract dollars. source
Using CMAS is optional, and it is open to both state and local government agencies. source
Since July 1, 2023, the County of Orange publishes solicitations and receives vendor responses through OpenGov. source

Before you bid

Registering takes time, so do it before you find the perfect bid: how to get registered, and how to write a capability statement (with a free template).