Cleaning House: California Black Business Spotlight
Linnea Willis-Smith, a small, woman-owned-minority proprietor, is a prime example of how some businesses have thrived under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Willis-Smith, a licensed attorney by trade, is the owner of Quality Cleaning Professionals (QCP). QCP specializes in cleaning, janitorial services, day porters, and other services for businesses.
The California Department of General Services (DGS) small business certification has been vital in facilitating Willis-Smith’s ability to obtain contracts with various state departments and other government municipalities.
“I have responded to a lot of invitations for bids (IFBs) in the state of California,” Willis-Smith said in a video produced by the California Department of General Services. “My advice to small businesses is to go to local small development centers and procure technical assistance centers. Those different agencies will help you get started, give you resources on how to have the right foundation, financial support, and everything else you need to have a successful business.”
QCP is a certified small business with the state of California and has a lot of contracts with various government agencies and departments in the State of California. It continues to be awarded contracts because of its stellar reputation for providing quality services and being responsive and communicative.
Willis-Smith learned about DGS’s certification program by using local small business development centers and procurement technical assistance centers to assist her with establishing her business.
DGS’s Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS) administers the state’s Small Business, Small Business for the Purpose of Public Works, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), Nonprofit Veteran Service Agency certifications, and Nonprofit recognition programs.
The purpose of the certification program is to promote and increase participation in state contracting for small and DVBE businesses.
The DGS OSDS supports the state of California’s goal to spend 25 percent of contract dollars with small businesses and 3 percent of contract dollars with DVBEs through targeted outreach events, workshops, webinars, instructional videos, personal assistance, and working groups.
For more information on DGS’s California State Government Marketplace – Cal eProcure, where businesses can register and get certified, visit https://caleprocure.ca.gov
For further assistance, interested parties can email BusinessOutreach@dgs.ca.gov.
