DVBE Purchasing Guide
How California's Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise program works, why the 3% participation goal matters to your agency or bid, and how buying through a certified DVBE supplier counts — written for purchasing officers, AP teams, and prime contractors.
What is a DVBE?
A Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise is a California-certified business that is at least 51% owned by one or more disabled veterans, with daily operations managed by disabled veterans. Certification is issued and audited by the Department of General Services, Office of Small Business and DVBE Services (OSDS).
What is California's 3% DVBE participation goal?
California law sets a goal that at least 3% of state contracting dollars go to certified DVBEs each year. The goal applies to every state agency and to many contracts awarded by primes. Spend with a certified DVBE supplier counts toward the goal automatically — the certification does the work.
Does buying supplies from Tower DVBE count toward the goal?
Yes. Tower Sales and Consulting (Tower DVBE) is DVBE-certified (Cert #2034325) and Small Business (Micro) certified. Purchases by state agencies, local agencies with DVBE programs, and prime contractors all count as DVBE participation — no extra paperwork beyond recording our certification number.
How do I verify a DVBE certification?
Look the supplier up on Cal eProcure (caleprocure.ca.gov) under 'Get Certified / Search'. Tower DVBE's profile shows current DVBE and SB(Micro) status, certification dates, and codes. We also provide certification letters and a W-9 on request, same day.
How do prime contractors document DVBE participation on a bid?
Bidders on state solicitations with DVBE requirements list their DVBE subcontractors and suppliers on the Bidder Declaration (GSPD-05-105) and DVBE Declarations (STD 843). A supplier like Tower DVBE counts as participation for the goods it supplies. Many solicitations also offer a DVBE incentive — typically 3–5% of the evaluated score or price — for meeting or exceeding participation.
Can agencies buy from a DVBE without a formal solicitation?
California’s SB/DVBE Option lets state agencies award contracts (goods, services, IT) valued between $5,000 and $500,000 by soliciting quotes from as few as two certified SB or DVBE firms — no formal bid required. CalCard purchases under agency thresholds work the same day-to-day way.
What does Tower DVBE supply?
Roughly 84,000 in-stock products: safety and PPE, janitorial, office, MRO and industrial, tools, and facility supplies — plus off-catalog sourcing for anything we do not stock. Purchase orders and net terms accepted; UNSPSC codes shown on every product for FI$Cal requisitions.
Ready to count your spend toward the goal?
Browse ~84,000 products or send us your requirements — POs and net terms welcome, certification documents provided same day.