The Inland Empire is home to one of the Navy’s main technical centers and to some of the largest training bases in the country. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona Division in Norco employs more than 4,000 scientists, engineers, sailors, technicians and support staff. GERC is based in San Bernardino, and we get Inland Empire firms registered, certified, CMMC-ready and bidding for that work.
The region already does well from it. Businesses assisted by the Inland Empire APEX Accelerator won $909.9 million in federal contracts between May 2025 and April 2026, including 4,309 defense contracts worth $814.7 million.
Who is buying
- NSWC Corona Division, Norco. The Navy’s analysis and assessment center since 1964, with detachments in Fallbrook and Seal Beach. It has its own contracts department and a small business programs office, and holds industry days for prospective suppliers.
- March Air Reserve Base. Home of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, flying KC-135 and C-17 aircraft, where ground was broken on a $133 million KC-46 hangar in December 2025.
- Desert training and logistics bases. Fort Irwin’s National Training Center, the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms and Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow all buy facilities, logistics, maintenance and support services.
- Manufacturers. Collins Aerospace employs more than 700 people in Riverside making aerostructures for commercial and military aircraft, and General Atomics Aeronautical broke ground in January 2026 on a new MQ-9B hangar at El Mirage near Adelanto.
Where smaller firms get in
Base and warfare center work is bought through SAM.gov, and a large share is set aside for small businesses. Primes working on those contracts also need small business subcontractors to meet their goals. Either way, the buyer will check the same things: registration, NAICS codes, certifications, past performance and, where controlled information is involved, an SPRS score.
Local preference helps too. San Bernardino County applies a 5% preference for local vendors on county contracts, and Riverside County has its own local and small business preferences.
Why cyber compliance comes first
- NIST SP 800-171 is the foundation. A System Security Plan and a POA&M documenting your gaps, with a score submitted to SPRS.
- It reaches subcontractors. If you handle Controlled Unclassified Information, the requirement flows down to you.
- It takes months, not weeks. See our NIST 800-171 and CMMC readiness page.
What we do for Inland Empire firms
- Readiness review. Where you stand on registrations, certifications and cyber, and the order to fix them in.
- Registration. SAM.gov, UEI and entity validation, CAGE code, and DLA DIBBS with JCP.
- Certification. SB, SB-PW, DVBE, 8(a) and HUBZone where you qualify, plus California SB for state work.
- Bidding. A capability statement written for defense buyers, then proposals.
We serve Corona, Norco, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Chino, Chino Hills, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, San Bernardino, Victorville, Adelanto, Barstow and Twentynine Palms. For county and city contracting, see our Riverside County and San Bernardino pages.
Common questions
How do we sell to NSWC Corona?
Opportunities are posted on SAM.gov, and the Division has its own small business programs office. Register in SAM.gov, choose the right NAICS codes, prepare a capability statement aimed at its analysis and engineering work, and watch for its industry days. Subcontracting to a prime that already supports it is often the quickest first step.
Do Fort Irwin and Twentynine Palms buy from small businesses?
Yes. These bases buy facilities, logistics, maintenance and support services, and many contracts are set aside for small businesses, including 8(a) firms. Opportunities are posted on SAM.gov.
Is there free help in the Inland Empire?
Yes. The Inland Empire APEX Accelerator, hosted by Riverside Community College District, and the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center both offer free counseling. We work alongside them when a firm needs the documents prepared and filed.
How long before we can bid?
SAM.gov registration and a CAGE code usually take weeks. Certifications take longer, and NIST SP 800-171 readiness can take months. A readiness review first stops you doing them in the wrong order.
Can we meet in person?
Yes. Our office is at 255 N. D Street in San Bernardino, and we also travel for kickoffs, proposal reviews and board presentations.
Schedule a Consultation
- Call (909) 454-7076 — the fastest route. Monday to Friday.
- Book a consultation — pick a time that suits you.
- Email us about Corona and the Inland Empire — opens a message already titled, so it reaches the right person.
If you only want to know whether you need this at all, ask. There is no charge for that conversation.
GERC is a woman-led advisory firm led by Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, a PhD legal economist with more than 14 years of experience. Registered in SAM.gov under CAGE code 11SD2, certified as a California Small Business (Micro) and for Public Works. NAICS 541611, 541618 and 541690.