California Certified Small Business Lookup: How to Find and Verify SB, DVBE and DBE Firms

Before you list a subcontractor on a bid, you need two answers: is the firm actually certified, and is it certified for the right program? Short answer: look up California small business (SB), microbusiness, SB-PW and DVBE firms in the Cal eProcure Certified Firm Search. Look up DBE firms in the California Unified Certification Program directory, and federal SBA certifications in the SBA’s Small Business Search (SBS). Then confirm the certification is active on your bid due date and matches the goal you are counting it toward.

Which directory to use

How to search the Cal eProcure Certified Firm Search

DGS points primes to this database as the place to find firms that help meet the state’s 25% small business goal. To get useful results:

• Filter by certification type first. Pick SB, MB, SB-PW or DVBE depending on what the solicitation requires.
• Search several keywords. Firms describe themselves in their own words, so try synonyms: “economic analysis,” “economic impact,” “feasibility,” “grant writing.” Searching one term misses good firms.
• Use commodity codes. Firms are also listed by UNSPSC code. Our Cal eProcure commodity codes guide explains how the codes work.
• Narrow by location. Filter by county or service area when you need local crews or site visits.
• Save your search results. Export or screenshot them with the date. They become part of your good faith effort documentation.

Five checks before you list a firm on your bid

1. Certification is active on the bid due date. Check the expiration date in the directory, not the date on the firm’s capability statement.
2. It is the right certification. An SB certification does not count toward a DVBE goal, and a DBE does not count toward the state SB goal unless it also holds DGS certification. For state public works, look for SB-PW.
3. The scope matches. The work you assign should match what the firm is certified and listed to do.
4. It will perform a commercially useful function. Ask who will do the work and with what staff and equipment. A firm that passes everything through to someone else may not count.
5. Public works registration is current. On public works, subcontractors also need active DIR registration. See DIR registration and certified payroll.

Red flags

• A certification number that does not appear in the directory, or appears under a different business name.
• A firm offering to “add certification credit” to your bid without taking on real work.
• Quotes far below market from a firm with no employees or equipment for the scope.
• A DBE listed as current that has not completed California’s 2025–26 reevaluation.

What we would do in your position

1. Build a short list before solicitations post. Search by your common work items now, so outreach starts the day a bid drops.
2. Verify twice. Check status when you invite a firm and again on the bid due date.
3. Keep a screenshot of every lookup. It costs nothing and answers the reviewer’s first question.
4. Search for us while you are there. GERC is listed in the Certified Firm Search as a California-certified Small Business (Micro) and SB-PW, Certification ID 2045992, and is active in SAM.gov (CAGE 11SD2, UEI WXLUGDE9LUN5). We perform economic research, benefit-cost analysis, grants and proposal work on prime teams. Add GERC to your bid team.
5. Hand off the sourcing. We find, vet and document certified subcontractors for primes. Book a teaming call.

California certified small business lookup: frequently asked questions

Is there a list of California certified small businesses?

Yes. The Department of General Services keeps a public directory of certified Small Business, Microbusiness, SB-PW and DVBE firms. You search it with the Cal eProcure Certified Firm Search, by certification type, keyword, commodity code and location.

How do I look up whether a business is certified in California?

Search the firm’s name or certification ID in the Cal eProcure Certified Firm Search and confirm the certification type and expiration date. For DBE status, use the California Unified Certification Program directory. For SBA certifications, use the SBA Small Business Search.

Where can I find a list of DVBE subcontractors?

DVBE firms are certified by DGS and listed in the Cal eProcure Certified Firm Search. Filter by DVBE certification, then by keyword or commodity code for the work you need.

Does an SB or SB-PW certification count toward a DVBE goal?

No. Only firms certified as DVBEs count toward a DVBE participation goal. A firm can hold both SB and DVBE certifications, and the directory shows each one.

What replaced the SBA Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS)?

In July 2025, the SBA replaced DSBS with Small Business Search (SBS) at search.certifications.sba.gov. It filters firms by NAICS code, location and SBA certification.