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The Guide newsletter provides quick information and resources on how to do business with The Department of General Services (DGS) as well as other featured news, opportunities, and highlights.
Questions or ideas for The Guide can be sent to DGSNewsletter@dgs.ca.gov.
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The California Department of General Services provides a wide range of services to state and local government agencies, businesses, schools and the general public. They include the following: |
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- Contracting and procurement policies and solutions
- Real estate management and design
- Environmentally friendly transportation, energy efficient building upgrades, and clean energy generation and storage solutions
- Professional printing
- Design and web services
- Administrative hearings
- Building standards
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- Structural safety oversight
- Fire/life safety and accessibility for the design and construction of K-12 public schools and community colleges
- School construction funding
- Disability access
- Manage and maintain all buildings within the DGS portfolio statewide
- Manage and maintain partial building management services for over 200 other departments and agencies throughout the state
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I hope you, your family and community are staying safe during this time of intense winter storms. This new year is already testing our resilience and it is critically important that we do our part to keep everyone safe. I encourage you to check out the following resources:
In response to downed trees caused by strong winds, Cal OES is coordinating with DGS crew and other state partners to clean storm debris around the state.
I am thankful to our entire DGS team for the continuous support and efforts that go above and beyond during times of emergency. Fortunately, particularly since 2020, the knowledge we have gained over the years has prepared us for the unexpected, and thanks to our team's ingenuity and resourcefulness, DGS has garnered a strong reputation of being able to serve its clients regardless of circumstance – rain or shine!
During 2022, I completed my first full calendar year as Director of DGS, where I continue to appreciate and learn so much – about the intricacies of DGS’ many lines of business, about the many customers and partners who rely upon us, and about the remarkable qualities of our DGS employees. We have settled into the hybrid workforce that is our new reality. This reality has become an asset allowing more flexibility for many of our programs, promoting the well-being and health of our organization and employees as well as giving us the ability to better serve our customers.
As we embark on 2023 and grow this new reality, I strive to foster more creative and sustainable solutions within our business operations to improve upon our customer service, support the administration, and more broadly serve the people of California. I look forward to expanding partnerships to increase both visibility and access to the services we provide and seize more opportunities to collectively build resilience through state infrastructure, purchasing power, and our workforce.
Thank you for your continued partnership. I wish you joy, good health, and peace in the new year.
Ana M. Lasso Director, California Department of General Services
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This week, Governor Gavin Newsom released his January Budget Proposal for 2023-2024 fiscal year.
DGS has worked closely with the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Finance, and the Governor’s Office to balance priority services and take a thoughtful, sustainable approach to recent fluctuations in state revenues. As a result of General Fund revenues coming in lower than anticipated, some investments are temporarily on hold and we are watching closely for economic developments between now and throughout the spring budget process. We are hopeful that we may be able to revisit some budget requests in the May Revision; however, at this time we are pleased to share with you some of the highlights of the Governor’s proposed budget:
- Resources to staff the newly acquired Joe Serna, Jr. CalEPA building, located at 1001 I Street in downtown Sacramento, which was previously leased space, as well as the brand-new Richards Boulevard Office Complex, also in Sacramento.
- Funds for deferred maintenance projects in the coming year, focusing on fire and life safety updates.
- Resources to install and administer direct digital control systems in buildings owned and operated by DGS to maximize efficiency of building operations and achieve energy savings.
- Three years of funding to continue working toward meeting the administration’s goals for electric vehicle infrastructure.
- DGS is continuing to further the administration’s goal to reduce the state’s leased portfolio by working with 40 state departments to consolidate space across 132 individual leases, resulting in a reduction of 1.16 million square feet of leased office space and annual savings of approximately $35 million.
- DGS is carrying out several legislative mandates and initiatives related to adaptive reuse of underutilized state properties and affordable housing.
- Resources for management of Capital Outlay projects for the California Military Department.
- Resources to support emergency response efforts including procurement, logistics and fiscal support.
- Resources to support numerous legislative mandates and initiatives focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion in state contracting practices, as well as support for small businesses and disabled veteran enterprises.
- Resources to support enhancements in cybersecurity, privacy, data governance and continuing projects.
If you would like to view DGS’ complete budget details, you may visit the Department of Finance’s online budget site.
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Jan. 23 marks "Ed Roberts Day." Ed Roberts was a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities. After contracting polio at 14, Ed and his family fought for his ability to receive an education and participate in his community. Ed was accepted to the University of California, Berkeley, which at the time was not set up to accommodate students with disabilities. Ed was housed in the campus hospital, where he was joined later by other students with disabilities. Together, they advocated for the creation of programs that would support students with disabilities to live independently and thrive both on and off campus. Ed became the first executive director of the Center For Independent Living, and later, the director of the California Department of Rehabilitation.
DGS' California Commission on Disability Access (CCDA) honors the life of Ed Roberts and his legacy of advancing the full integration of people with disabilities into their communities. CCDA’s mission is to promote disability access in California through dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders including, but not limited to, the disability and business communities and all levels of government. CCDA’s efforts to convene conversations around access to places of public accommodations and to support and educate businesses with access efforts is our way of honoring Ed Roberts.
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Find current bid opportunities on the California State Contracts Register (CSCR). To search for DGS-specific opportunities, enter 7760 in the “Department” field.
Please note that the majority of California state purchases are facilitated by the individual state departments making the purchase, not by DGS. A filtered list of each state department and what goods and services they are looking to purchase can be found on CaleProcure.ca.gov.
Statewide Leveraged Procurement Agreement Opportunities
Leveraged Procurement Agreements (LPAs) allow departments to buy directly from suppliers through existing contracts and agreements. LPAs are available to California's state, county, city, special district, education, and other government entities. Here is a current invitation for bid being solicited for statewide contracts:
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Apply for Small Business/Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Certifications
Vendors/contractors interested in doing business with DGS should consider becoming a certified Small Business (SB) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), because DGS' Office of Business and Acquisition Services follows a strict SB/DVBE First policy. The Office of Business and Acquisition Services is the procurement and contracting shop for DGS offices and divisions, as well as six client agencies. It is responsible for processing procurements through solicitation, award and execution.
For guidance or support, reach out to the Office of Business and Acquisition Services SB/DVBE Advocate: OBASAdvocate@dgs.ca.gov.
For information on how to get certified, reach out to the Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Services (OSDS) at OSDSHelp@dgs.ca.gov.
Upcoming Procurement and Contracting Workshops and Webinars
The DGS Procurement Division offers and promotes a wide range of training sessions and webinars to support businesses with the state contracting process. A full list of upcoming events can be found on the Procurement Division's Events Page.
Join the California Department of Veterans Affairs – California Transition Assistance Program for a FREE virtual workshop on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 10 - 11 a.m. to learn the steps to become a business owner and the resources available to help you through the process.
If you already own your business, DGS will give a short presentation on how to get certified as a Small Business (SB) or a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE).
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DGS' Office of Sustainability supports all state departments in implementing energy retrofits to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, save money on utility bills and improve occupant comfort through the implementation of energy retrofit projects.
In response to AB 32 and Executive Order B-18-12, DGS’ Office of Sustainability developed the Statewide Energy Retrofit Program to assist state agencies in meeting the reduction requirements for greenhouse gas emissions and grid-based electricity purchases. This budget-neutral program was designed to develop and implement energy conservation measures with no upfront capital expenditure required of the participating state agency.
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DGS facilitates and participates in many public meetings and events to conduct state business, including the featured list below. Please note that meeting dates are subject to change. Visit our DGS website for the most up-to-date information and a listing of all DGS public meetings and events.
Office of Public School Construction Webinar: Financial Hardship and the California Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and Full-Day Kindergarten Facilities Grant Program
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. A free webinar to provide information on accessing, completing and submitting applications for the California Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and Full-Day Kindergarten Program and the Financial Hardship Program. Interested participants should register for this event.
State Allocation Board Meeting Responsible for determining the allocation of state resources used for the construction, modernization and maintenance of local public school facilities.
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. Meeting details will be posted in advance of the meeting and can be found on the Office of Public School Construction website.
California Building Standards Commission Meeting Produce sensible and usable state building standards and administrative regulations that implement or enforce those standards.
Date: Thursday, Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. This meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom. The agenda and meeting details can be found on the Buildings Standards Commission website.
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California Commission on Disability Access Meeting To promote disability access in California through dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders including the disability and business community and all levels of government.
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom. The agenda and virtual meeting details are forthcoming and will be posted on the California Commission on Disability Access website.
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