Government contracting in Kern County starts with SAM.gov and Cal eProcure, and GERC handles both for you. Kern County combines two of the largest military test installations in the country with an energy economy built on oil, gas, wind and solar. Edwards Air Force Base and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake buy construction, facilities support, engineering and supplies, and the defense primes that support them need registered, compliant subcontractors.
GERC helps Bakersfield, Ridgecrest and Tehachapi businesses register in SAM.gov, get certified and prepare for defense work, including the cybersecurity requirements now appearing in DoD contracts.
Who buys in Kern County
Public buyers in and around Kern County include:
- Edwards Air Force Base and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, plus the defense and aerospace primes that support them
- Caltrans District 6, for State Route 99, 58 and 178 corridor work
- Kern County, the City of Bakersfield and other cities in the county
- Kern High School District, Bakersfield City School District, Kern Community College District and CSU Bakersfield
- Water, energy and environmental agencies funding oil field remediation, renewable energy and groundwater projects
Government contracting help for businesses in Kern County
- SAM.gov registration and UEI and entity validation, so you are eligible for federal contracts, grants and set-asides
- Cal eProcure registration, so state solicitations for your UNSPSC codes reach you
- California Small Business (SB), Micro Business and SB-PW certification, with the 5% bid preference on state contracts
- DVBE certification for firms owned by disabled veterans
- Local vendor registration with cities, counties, school districts, transit agencies and special districts
- Bid and proposal writing for RFPs, RFQs and IFBs, and capability statements
- Grant writing for nonprofits, tribes, small businesses and public agencies
Cities we serve in Kern County
Bakersfield, Delano, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, California City, Wasco, Shafter, Arvin, McFarland, Taft and Maricopa, and unincorporated communities including Mojave, Rosamond, Lamont and Oildale.
Government contracting in Kern County: frequently asked questions
Do I need CMMC to work on Edwards or China Lake contracts?
If a DoD contract involves Controlled Unclassified Information, it can require a CMMC Level 2 assessment and a current score in SPRS. GERC helps with NIST 800-171, SPRS and CMMC readiness and with defense contracting registration more broadly.
Does it cost anything to register or certify?
No. SAM.gov, Cal eProcure, and California SB, SB-PW and DVBE certification are all free to apply for and hold. You pay GERC only for preparation, troubleshooting and ongoing management.
Economic consulting in Kern County and Bakersfield
GERC is also an economic consulting firm. For cities, counties, special districts, developers, nonprofits and businesses in Kern County and Bakersfield, we prepare economic impact analysis, fiscal impact analysis, benefit-cost analysis for grants, feasibility studies and market research.
Studies are delivered remotely, and we present findings to councils and boards in person or by video. See all of our economic consulting services.
Related services
- Procurement support for cities and public agencies
- Infrastructure grant writing
- Teaming partners for prime contractors
- BUILD (RAISE), INFRA and Mega grants
Schedule a consultation
- Call (909) 454-7076. This is the fastest route, Monday to Friday.
- Book a consultation at a time that suits you.
- Email us about Kern County. The message opens with the subject already filled in.