Government contracting in Modesto and Merced starts with SAM.gov and Cal eProcure, and GERC handles both for you. The northern San Joaquin Valley runs on food processing, logistics and agriculture, with Modesto, Turlock and Merced as its commercial centres and UC Merced as its fastest-growing public institution. The foothill counties of the Mother Lode add road, wildfire recovery and rural infrastructure work. Both markets have far fewer certified small businesses than the work supports.
GERC helps firms here register, certify and bid, and helps rural nonprofits, tribes and agencies win grant funding.
Who buys in the northern Valley and the Mother Lode
Public buyers in the area include:
- Caltrans District 10 (Stockton), which covers Stanislaus, Merced, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador and Mariposa counties
- Stanislaus County, Merced County and the cities of Modesto, Turlock, Ceres and Merced
- UC Merced, CSU Stanislaus, Modesto Junior College and Merced College
- Modesto City Schools, Turlock Unified, Merced City School District and other school districts
- Irrigation districts, water agencies and wildfire recovery programmes in the foothill counties
Government contracting help for businesses in Stanislaus and Merced counties
- 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 Stanislaus and Merced counties
Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Oakdale, Riverbank, Patterson, Newman, Waterford and Hughson in Stanislaus County; Merced, Los Banos, Atwater, Livingston, Dos Palos and Gustine in Merced County; and Sonora, Angels Camp, Jackson, Sutter Creek, Ione and Mariposa in the Mother Lode.
Government contracting in Stanislaus and Merced counties: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Caltrans DBE and California SB certification?
DBE is a federal programme run in California by Caltrans and counts toward goals on federally funded transportation contracts. SB is a state certification from the Department of General Services that gives a 5% bid preference on state contracts. Many Valley contractors benefit from holding both. See our guide to Caltrans SB and DBE certification.
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.
Related services
- Infrastructure grant writing
- Procurement support for cities and public agencies
- Caltrans SB 1 grant support
- 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 Stanislaus and Merced counties. The message opens with the subject already filled in.