Using existing resources, the Department of General Services’ small business advocate shall, at a minimum, provide the following services:

(a) Assist certified small businesses and certified disabled veteran business enterprises by providing information regarding all of the following:

(1) Identification of potential certified small business and certified disabled veteran business enterprise subcontractors and potential subcontracting opportunities.

(2) Solicitation protest procedures and timelines.

(3) Prompt payment procedures.

(b) Using existing resources, develop and maintain an outreach and education program to assist certified small businesses and certified disabled veteran business enterprises to establish the California multiple award schedule. The department shall actively promote the availability of certified small business and certified disabled veteran business enterprise suppliers to deliver or provide a broad range of goods and services to governmental agencies through their participation in the California multiple award schedule program established pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10290) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code and other types of contracts established by state agencies for repetitively used and commonly needed goods and services.

(c) Whenever the director consolidates the needs of multiple state agencies and establishes a contract for repetitively purchased or commonly needed goods or services, the director shall both encourage bidders to utilize certified small business and certified disabled veteran business enterprise suppliers and subcontractors, and utilize multiple award methods whenever practicable to further ensure that a fair proportion of needed goods and services are obtained from certified small businesses and certified disabled veteran business enterprises.

(d) Using existing resources, establish a training and development program for acquisition professionals, including methods for structuring solicitations to enhance the participation of certified small businesses and certified disabled veteran business enterprises in state contracting.

(e) Using existing resources, the department shall establish a recognition and awards program for state employees who make an outstanding contribution to the state’s overall effort to increase the level of certified small business participation in state contracting or certified disabled veteran business enterprise participation in state contracting.

(f) Prepare, and make available to the public, a directory of certified small business and certified disabled veteran business enterprise suppliers.

(g) In its review of state agency acquisitions, the department, as applicable, shall identify areas where improvements in the level of participation of certified small businesses and certified disabled veteran business enterprises in state contracting can be achieved.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 451, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)