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Doing Business with California

Posted on by Michael Aguillio
californiablog
26 Dec

The California state government spends approximately $10 billion annually on goods, services and public works.

Do you own or work for a small business? Are you interested in expanding your client base? Perhaps you should look into the government sector. The State of California does business with numerous Small Businesses (SB) throughout the state, buying products and services in IT, construction, temporary labor and even pencils.

The state’s Department of General Services (DGS) Procurement Division (PD) is the central purchasing authority for all state departments, agencies, institutions, community colleges, technical institutes and city or local boards of education.

Certification:
Why get certified with the state? California state government requires state agencies to award at least 25 percent of their annual contracting dollars to certified SBs and at least 3 percent to certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE).

The state may also give a 5 percent bid preference to certified SBs and may offer up to a 5 percent incentive to DVBEs in the formal bidding process. As a California certified SB and/or DVBE, your business is added to the DGS database, which state agencies and all our resource partners use to find SBs and DVBEs. With these certifications you are also eligible, under the Prompt Payment Act, for higher interest penalties for late undisputed invoice payments.

All California state agencies and departments may use a streamlined procurement process known as the SB/DVBE Option by contracting directly with a California-certified SB or DVBE for goods, services and information technology goods and services valued from $5,000.01 to $249,999.99 (up to $281,000 for public works contracts) after obtaining price quotes from at least two SBs or two DVBEs.

The State of California established the Small Business (SB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Certification Programs to increase business opportunities for the SB and DVBE community. The programs help SBs and DVBEs participate on a more level playing field when competing for state contracts. Our goal is to ensure all California businesses have access to state opportunities.

The SB and DVBE supplier community are important not only to state agencies, but also to our 60-plus reciprocity partners, local government, municipalities and large businesses looking for subcontractors. Along with their own preference programs/certifications, they also honor the state’s SB and or DVBE certification.

If you are considering certification, listed below is the certification criterion for SBs and or DVBE owners.

For Small Businesses:

      –Be independently owned and operated.

      –Cannot be dominant in the field of operation.

      –Principal office located in California.

      –Owners or officers legally reside in California.

      –100 or fewer employees.

      –Annual gross receipts average $14 million or less over the previous three tax years.

For Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises:

       –At least 51 percent owned by one or more disabled veterans.

      –Daily business operations must be managed and controlled by one or more disabled veterans. The disabled veteran(s) who manages and controls the business is not required to be the owner(s).

      –Home office must be located in the United States and cannot be a branch or subsidiary of a foreign corporation, foreign firm, or other foreign-based business.

How can you apply for certification? If your business meets the eligibility requirements for state certification, register your business and submit your application today by visiting our new Cal eProcure website at the following link: www.caleprocure.dgs.ca.gov.

For more SB/DVBE information, go to: www.dgs.ca.gov/pd/getcertified or for SB/DVBE certification assistance, call (916) 375-4940 Monday through Friday (except state holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bidding Opportunities:
Cal eProcure allows bidders to upload bids/proposals in response to online solicitations. You can also track bid progress, learn about pre-bid events and access contract award and other relevant information. There is no fee for you to register, receive email or fax notifications, download or respond to the state of California’s bid solicitations on Cal eProcure.

Small businesses can also access the California State Contracts Register, a central information source for state contracting

opportunities. This system gives businesses access to bidding and contracting resources, as well as their certification profile, in one location.

DGS also serves as business manager for the state of California. We help to better serve the public by providing a

variety of services to state agencies through procurement and acquisition solutions, real estate management and design, environmentally friendly transportation, professional printing, design and Web services, administrative hearings, legal services, building standards, oversight of structural safety, fire/life safety and accessibility for the design and construction of K-12 public schools and community colleges and funding for school construction. 

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What’s New?:
Getting the help you need to do business with the state of California just got easier. The DGS/PD, in partnership with the California Department of Technology, released a brand new tool to put small businesses in touch with the resources they need. The mobile application can be downloaded by both iOS and Android users at the following link: http://apps.cta.ca.gov/EMC/SBDVBE.

With the tip of their fingers, business owners can access information on outreach events happening across the state that provide education on the state certification process and business opportunities. You will also have access to a list of upcoming events, workshops and training opportunities by region, mapping directions to the events nearest your location and event contact and registration information.

For more information on the mobile application, contact the DGS Procurement Division’s Communication & Outreach Section by sending an email to advocate@dgs.ca.gov. Visit the following link for information on upcoming outreach events: http://tinyurl.com/np52g9m.

Resources:
The Office of Small Business & Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS) Communications & Outreach section assists SBs and DVBEs by participating in outreach events, providing resource guidance and supporting the businesses through advocacy. To find upcoming events coming to you, visit: http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/pd/events/SBDVBEevents.pdf   

Although information about your state-certified small business will be included in databases that are accessed by state purchasing officials, your business must still market its products or services. You find advocates from state agencies to learn of pending solicitation at http://www.dgs.ca.gov/pd/advocate and what state agencies buy and the dollar amount of the contracts at http://www.dgs.ca.gov/pd/Programs/caleprocure/SCPRSData.aspx. State government information and services can be found using the California Online Directory at www.cold.ca.gov.

For Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise certification program related inquiries: Office of Small Business & Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services (OSDS) OSDSHelp@dgs.ca.gov, (916) 375-4940. For state procurement related inquiries: Department of General Services (DGS), Procurement Division custserv@dgs.ca.gov, (800) 559-5529.

screen-shot-2016-12-26-at-12-00-21-pm Michael Aguillio
SB/DVBE Liaison
Procurement Division, Certification & Outreach
State of California, Department of General Services

2017: The Year of Women & Minorities

Posted on by NAWRB
minoritiyblog
26 Dec

The housing ecosystem is evolving and we are witnessing circumstances to be more favorable for underrepresented groups than previously. Will 2017 continue this progression?

While low mortgage rates are undermined by high home prices, buying in southern metros is at times over 50 percent cheaper than renting, according to Trulia. Buyers in the West, where high rents often remain preferable to the rising home prices, face a tougher task.

Agents must recognize these conditions and the fact that international investment in U.S. real estate is expected to continue. In the first half of this year, Asian investors have invested $4.02 billion in New York real estate and $1.4 billion in San Francisco property alone, the top two most desired American destinations for their capital.

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The 3rd Annual NAWRB Women’s Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Conference

Posted on by NAWRB
conferenceblogimage
26 Dec

The 3rd Annual NAWRB Women’s Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Conference took place at the Hilton of Orange in Costa Mesa, California, on August 30th-31st, 2016. The women’s synergy of connecting both professionally and personally in the housing ecosystem was infectious. “The conference provided excellent opportunities for networking with other women in the industry,” stated Sharon Bartlett, Principal Consultant and Owner of Sharon Bartlett Consulting. “All sessions were very informative. More importantly, I can apply what I learned immediately to my business.”

NAWRB had the incredible honor of showcasing a Real Estate Custom Office 365 Training Workshop to help attendees in their daily lives by Melanie Gass, Sr. Partner Channel Marketing Manager SMB&D, US SMB Business Development, Microsoft Corp. Women-owned businesses face a difficult path, with 91 percent of them employing only the owner, and their success through these barriers and limitations means that much more. Gass guided attendees through streamlining their operations and maximizing their performance for success. Women entrepreneurs are here to create change. Who better to deliver the power of women?
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sheCenterfold Rebecca Steele

Posted on by Desiree Patno
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23 Dec

CEO and President of Sigma Associates, LLC

Rebecca Steele

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Rebecca Steele, an incredible courageous woman and mother, reveals her valuable lessons as a senior

executive woman leader. From playing junior Olympics basketball to her excitement in advancing women’s

inclusion, Steele shares her unique journey and what the future holds for her life and career.

NAWRB: What have been the proudest moments in your life, professionally and personally?

Rebecca Steele: Well, I have a lot of proud moments. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career, but mostly ups. My proudest moments are when I could build successful organizations and was given the opportunity to lead, motivate and execute. A perfect example was the challenge to build, grow and integrate Countrywide and Bank of America’s retail sales platforms. That was huge!

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SBA Releases New Research Findings on Diversity Trends in Small Business Investing

Posted on by NAWRB

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In October 2016, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a report, Measuring the Representation of Women and Minorities in the SBIC Program, revealing diversity-related trends in small business investing. In order to address the diversity of SBICs and portfolio company program participants, the SBA approached the Library of Congress’s Federal Research Division with the following inquiries:

  1. How diverse are SBICs in terms of having women and/or ethnic or racial minorities in leadership positions?

     2. Are racially diverse SBICs more likely to invest in small businesses led or owned by women and/or ethnic or racial minorities?

     3. Are gender-diverse SBICs more likely to invest in small businesses led or owned by women and/or ethnic or racial minorities?

     4. How do SBICs led by women and/or ethnic or racial minorities compare in terms of investment performance to non-diverse SBICs?

     5. Are diverse SBICs more likely to invest in low and moderate income (LMI) communities?

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FHFA Performance & Accountability

Posted on by NAWRB

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The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) established the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to supervise and regulate the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and the Federal Home Loan (FHL) Bank System. The FHFA is an independent government agency that employs examiners, analysts, attorneys and industry experts. Congress provided the Director of the FHFA the authority to appoint the FHFA as the conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and this authority was utilized in 2008.

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Department of Labor Research and Evaluation Plan for 2016 Request for Information

Posted on by NAWRB

deparmentoflabor

Dear Sharon I. Block,

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Research and Evaluation Plan for 2016 Request for Information (RFI).

Of the Statistical Analysis of Trends and Surveys, I believe Gender Patterns and Pay in Occupations and Industries along with Caregiving and Women’s Retirement Security are of great importance to the evaluation plan and its practitioners. 

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that women’s median income is 79 percent of men’s median income. This is blatant inequality that needs to be addressed and rectified in order to encourage and secure the progress of women in the workforce and in our country. If women earn less than men, have less means and access to resources, how can they be expected to equally traverse the same professional and personal arenas?

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Personal Interview: Kelle Nolan

Posted on by NAWRB


1. What do you enjoy doing when you’re out of the office and work isn’t on your mind?

What I most enjoy doing is spending time with my husband and our two dogs. We enjoy being outdoors and going for walks. I enjoy crafting, scrapbooking, and anything that has to do with being creative. These are the top things that I try to concentrate on when I’m trying to relax. I also like to read.

In my crafting I concentrate on rubber-stamping and scrapbooking, paper crafting is how a lot of people refer to it. When I do read it’s usually about self-improvement or motivation. The book I’m currently reading is Be Obsessed Or Be Average by Grant Cardone.

2. What is something most people don’t know about you that they would be surprised to find out?

I think people would be surprised to find out that I enjoy watching golf tournaments on TV. Most people find them very boring, but I actually like watching them.

3. Who is a role model of yours? Why do you look up to this person?

Professionally I would have to say Jackie de Maria, a former employer of mine. She is definitely a professional role model, she demonstrated to me that a woman in a very high position within an organization that is male-dominated can have it all. Jackie balanced her professional career, home life, children, and was a strong, effective leader. She’s someone I look up to and had as a mentor early on in my career.
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Attention All The Single Ladies: 5 Ways To Help You Become a Homeowner

Posted on by Ginger Wilcox
Pg1
15 Nov

Despite the pay gap, women are increasingly becoming financial powerhouses. Case in point: they now control 51 percent of American wealth, totaling some $14 trillion in assets. One of the ways they’re using those assets to their advantage? Home buying.

According to the latest data from Ellie Mae, women are the primary borrowers on 32 percent of all closed mortgage loans. When women take the lead on a home loan, they’re single 61 percent of the time. Buying a home is tough enough with a spouse or a significant other, but it can be even more challenging when flying solo. To better help your clients who are first-time homebuyers, here are some of the most important things you need to keep in mind.

1. Affordability is about more than Purchase Price
One common pitfall many homebuyers often fall into is misjudging how much they can really afford to spend. For single women, that can be especially problematic because they rely on just one income, and it’s often lower than what men earn.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) puts the median weekly income for women who are working in full-time management or professional positions at $1,019. That adds up to $52,988 annually, or $4,416 a month. By comparison, men make a median annual salary of $73,060.

Assuming your client has an annual salary of $52,988, zero debt, and $40,000 for a down payment, they could theoretically afford a $245,900 home if they got a 30-year loan at a rate of 3.39 percent, according to Realtor.com’s home affordability calculator. Their payments would come to approximately $1,224, including the principal and interest, taxes, homeowners’ insurance and private mortgage insurance, leaving them with $3,192 a month to pay the rest of their bills, cover everyday expenses, and save.

That seems like plenty of money, but it can go relatively quickly if homeownership results in higher utility costs, or they’re spending more on transportation because they have a longer commute to work. They also have to factor in the added expense of things like maintenance and home repairs, which could put even more of a strain on their financial resources.

In that scenario, something like saving for retirement could easily get pushed to the backburner. Considering that women are more likely than men to retire poor, socking away money for retirement isn’t something your clients can afford to skip out on. Before your client makes a move on a home, make sure that it doesn’t come at the expense of their other financial goals.

2. Your Clients Down Payment Matters
Putting 20 percent down on a home is the generally accepted industry standard, but it is possible to buy a home with less cash out of pocket. An FHA loan, for instance, will allow your client to put down as little as 3.5 percent.That’s tempting for a single woman who’s trying to keep short-term costs as low as possible, but it comes at a price. Taking on an FHA loan or a conventional loan with a down payment of less than 20 percent means paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), which drives up the cost of home buying.

Let’s say your client has their eye on a $250,000 home, and they want to get a 30-year, fixed-rate loan at a rate of 3.39 percent. If they put 20 percent down, that eliminates the private mortgage insurance requirement and sets their payment at $1,139, which breaks down to $886 for the principal and interest, $63 for homeowners’ insurance and $190 for property taxes.

On the other hand, if they only put 10 percent down, that adds $117 a month for private mortgage insurance. The principal and interest part of their payment increases to $997, so they’re now looking at a payment of $1,367 a month, including the PMI, property taxes and homeowners insurance.

If your client is a single woman who’s pulling in a modest salary, a difference of more than $200 a month in the mortgage payment can have a significant impact on their bottom line. Saving up a larger down payment may mean delaying your client’s home purchase, but they will thank you if it allows them to shrink their monthly housing costs in the long term.
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Miami Real Estate: A Center for Global Investment

Posted on by Teresa King Kinney
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27 Oct

Construction cranes in Downtown Miami and throughout South Florida help tell the story of a fast-growing population center and global business hub. Miami’s skyline—a visual marvel with awe-inspiring, high-rise buildings overlooking the Atlantic—has changed more rapidly than any other American city. Global investment from an array of countries have helped fuel the development.

Foreign real estate buyers account for 36 percent or $6.1 billion of South Florida total sales volume, according to the 2015 Profile of International Home Buyers in Miami Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) Business Areas. That is more than four times the eight percent national percentage of foreign buying activity. The annual survey, which was conducted by MIAMI and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), is just one indicator of how attractive South Florida has become to international buyers.

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