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Equity in County Contracting

Your Gateway to County Contracts

Welcome to our platform dedicated to connecting small businesses, community-based organizations, and diverse vendors with County contracting opportunities, contributing to a more equitable and prosperous local economy.

Contract OpportunitiesContinuous Contract Opportunities
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Our Impact

$1.1B in Contract Awards

to preference program certified firms in 2023-24.

3,600+

Certified firms remain active across our programs.

15-Day Payments

We pay certified vendors promptly.

Quick Links

Certification Portals
Vendor Registration
Vendor Programs

Up Coming Events

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Objectives Equity in County Contracting

Small businesses and community-based organizations often face obstacles when seeking government contracts. To address these challenges, Los Angeles County launched the Equity in County Contracting (ECC) Initiative in 2021. Here is what we have been working on:

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Simplifying the Process

Guiding vendors of all sizes to better understand how to do business with the County by providing standardized solicitation information, clear requirements and shortened contracting timelines.

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Providing Training and Support

Providing training sessions, along with technical assistance to enhance the quality of your proposals to give you the tools you need to respond to solicitations and provide services.

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Building Through Community Partnership Programs 

Collaborating with local stakeholders and community-based organizations to make the contracting process transparent and easier.

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Driving Economic Growth

Empowering diverse vendors to grow their business by tapping into the vast purchasing power of the public sector.

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Expanding Best Practices

Building upon existing methods and adopting new ways to increase small, local, and diverse vendor participation in both solicitations and awards.

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Smaller Contracts for Greater Opportunities

Breaking down large contracts into smaller ones or establishing contracting tiers to create more contracting opportunities for small businesses and community-based organizations to qualify and compete for these awards.

Working together to advance equitable contracting in the County

The County is committed to implementing contracting strategies to create fair opportunities for underrepresented businesses and create a more inclusive and equitable contracting environment, enabling diverse businesses to thrive and contribute to economic growth.

Internal Services Department

 

Establishing a Consistent Approach

Developing a standardize system for all County contracts, providing a reliable source for businesses to understand and participate in the solicitation process.

Overseeing an Efficient Procurement Process

Implementing a modern electronic procurement solution to make County procurement more user-friendly and accessible for all businesses, community-based organizations, and County users.

Department of Economic Opportunity

 

Overseeing the Office of Small Business

Including its concierge, APEX Accelerator and certification programs that provides technical assistance. This is currently being expanded through the economic Mobility Initiative.

Driving Economic Recovery

Managing the $160 million in American Rescue Plan investment that revitalizes small businesses and nonprofits.

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Wins that make an impact

Accomplishments

2021 – Advancing Equity and Inclusion within County Contracts: Increasing opportunities for diverse businesses with Community Business Enterprise (CBE) that includes women and LGBTQ+ firms, through a 25% participation goal.

2023 – Ensuring Long-Term Benefits: the Board established a permanent 25% utilization goal for Local Small Business Enterprise (LSBE) and 3% for Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certified firms.

Improving Cash Flow for Small Businesses: By accelerating 15-day Prompt Payments for all Preference Program Enterprise, including the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBEs), Social Enterprise (SEs), and Local Small Business Enterprises (LSBEs), we’re significantly reducing the typical 30-day payment and improving cash flow for vendors supplying goods and services.

Implemented the Simplified Acquisition Process (SAP) Pilot Program threshold from $24,999 to $100,000 for the Internal Services, Parks and Recreation, Beaches and Harbors, and LAC+USC Hospital departments. 

Streamlined the County’s model of Request For Proposals (RFP), contract documents, and the Contract Account and Administration (A-C) Handbook, improving the administrative process.  

Promoting Competitive Contracting: Developed and published best practices for unbundling and breaking down contracts to create more opportunities for small businesses. 

Impactful Investments: The County has implemented equity initiatives like the Infrastructure LA Equity in Infrastructure Project Pledge and the Contractor Development and Bonding Program and streamlined the certification application process into a single portal. 

Cash Advance Pilot:  Developed a pilot program to provide vendors with contract advances with community-based organizations and non-profits, providing up to 15% of the contract amount.

History: Equity in County Contracting

The Equity in County Contracting (ECC) Initiative was created by the Board of Supervisors in 2021 to:

  • Leverage the significant economic opportunity for local small and disinvested businesses by tapping into the purchasing power of the public sector.
  • Streamline, standardize, and provide governance for County Contracting and make it easier for new and existing vendors to do business with the County
  • Engage with community to collaboratively design County Contracting changes to promote greater equity and good governance.
Click for Initiatives
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Future Goals

Implementing a New Equity in County Contracting Office

Establishing a centralized team to strengthen efficiency and collaboration in County contracting, as part of the Internal Services Department.

Rolling Out the Electronic-Procurement System for LA County

To streamline and digitize the procurement process, enhance efficiency, transparency, and access for vendors and County departments.

$2 Million Investment in Local Businesses

We will launch a Revolving Loan Fund to provide capital for small businesses and nonprofits.

Expanding the Cash Advance Pilot Program

Offering cash flow assistance.

$10 Million Commercial Acquisition Fund

Building a Stronger Economy: Expanding the Capacity of the Office of Small Business through the Economic Mobility Initiative for community partners.

Launching a new Customer-Serving Economic Opportunity Program

Integrated with the County’s Electronic Permitting and Inspections Portal known as EPIC-LA, we will offer faster permitting and entitlements process for qualifying small businesses, especially those participating in housing and community-serving projects.

Relief During Tough Times - $4.8 million Business Interruption Fund

The Department of Economic Opportunity is launching a $4.8 million Business Interruption Fund for small busineses to recover from economic setbacks, including those affecting County Contracting activities like with Public Works and labor disputes.

Strengthening Local Networks

Los Angeles County is partnering with organizations like Together for LA, Project Equity, and Inclusive Action to connect small businesses with essential resources and opportunities.

Supporting the Formalization of Sidewalk and Street Vendors

Paving the way for community microbusinesses to become future County vendors.

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