Small Business Initiatives

In 2021, the Equity Ad Hoc Committee was established to review procurement policies across the region. Its purpose was to identify ways local agencies and the San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG) could help small businesses successfully secure government contracts. To support this effort, SBCOG and Amplify Communities (National Core) held a series of focus groups in the summer of 2022. These sessions brought together community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities for promoting equity. National Core then completed a study to guide SBCTA/SBCOG towards a priority to (1) study, monitor, and improve equity outcomes for communities throughout the county; (2) gain a better understanding of the public agency procurement and contracting environment; and (3) identify small business providers, partners, model programs, and best practices.

Based on insights from the focus groups and consultations with the City/County Manager’s Technical Advisory Committee (CCMTAC), the following recommendations were developed:

• Create a centralized system to simplify and standardize access to regional public procurement opportunities.
• Establish a policy that prioritizes small businesses in procurement.
• Develop a small business certification recognized regionally, which local jurisdictions can choose to adopt.
• Organize vendor and procurement fairs where municipalities, chambers of commerce, business councils, and small businesses can connect and share information about public procurement opportunities.
  In December 2023, the San Bernardino Region Public Procurement Memorandum (small business study) was finalized. This document analyzes local agency practices, policies, and procedures, aiming to identify ways to support small businesses in accessing government contracts and guides the COG in additional actions and projects to be implemented over time.
  

In December 2023, the San Bernardino Region Public Procurement Memorandum (small business study) was finalized. This document analyzes local agency practices, policies, and procedures, aiming to identify ways to support small businesses in accessing government contracts and guides the COG in additional actions and projects to be implemented over time.