LOS ANGELES – Today (10/19) California State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary Rosario Marin joined representatives from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the California Department of General Services to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), streamlining paperwork for small businesses seeking government contracts in California.

The signing was greeted by enthusiastic applause from some 500 California small business representatives attending a day-long conference at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.  The conference was hosted by the California Department of General Services to show small business owners how to gain better access to state contracts.

Under the MOU, the State of California and the water district have agreed to work together
to share small business certification data to assist entrepreneurs in becoming certified by
both entities.  It will help expand small business participation in public contracting.

 “This is another significant step in achieving Gov. Schwarzenegger’s goal of small business participation in the State’s contracting programs,” said Secretary Marin. “It shows how state government can collaborate with like-minded public agencies throughout California that share a commitment to maintaining the highest standards in their certification programs.  It will stimulate the California economy by ensuring that more small businesses have fair access to government contracts.”

The State of California purchases almost $9 billion in products, services and commodities each year. On March 29th of this year, Governor Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-02-06 directing all departments of state government to achieve a goal of at least 25 percent small business participation in all state contracts and procurements.  One major state contract with Office Depot achieved a stunning 98 percent small business participation rate.

“The importance of today’s MOU can be seen by the fact that small firms constitute an overwhelming 98 percent of all California businesses,” said Department of General Services Director Ron Joseph.  “This MOU gets the state and the water district on the same page to reduce paperwork for small businesses.”

"This agreement is a great advancement for small businesses throughout California," said Metropolitan General Manager Jeff Kightlinger.  "Metropolitan looks forward to collaborating with the governor and state to significantly expand small business participation and provide a greater forum for these valuable enterprises throughout California.  The fact that Metropolitan will be accepting the state's certification for both small and disabled veteran-owned businesses presents a multitude of benefits for California."

A detailed listing of the various benefits of state certification can be found at: www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus/sbcert.htm.  Those seeking official state certification as eligible small businesses can find further information and download application materials at http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus/default.htm

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 18 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage, and other resource-management programs.