Behind the Badge: A Q&A with Caltrans Small Business Liaison
Navigating state contracting can be complex, but California’s network of Small Business Advocates is here to help. This month, we partnered with Amanda Andersen, the Small Business Liaison for Caltrans District 2, to bring you expert advice on how you can begin contracting with Caltrans and other CA State agencies!
As part of California’s statewide advocate network, Amanda plays a key role in helping small businesses navigate state contracting, get certified, and build meaningful connections within Caltrans. In this Q&A, she shares what her role involves, how she supports local businesses in Northern California, and why advocates like her are essential to ensuring small business access to procurement opportunities.
Tell us a bit about your role as a Small Business Liaison at Caltrans. What does your day-to-day look like?
As a Small Business Liaison at Caltrans, my role is to support and advocate for small businesses, ensuring they have access to opportunities within the department’s various contracts and procurements. The primary goal is to help these businesses grow and succeed by fostering an inclusive environment where they can compete for government contracts/procurement opportunities and/or partner with prime contractors on our state and federal projects.
On a day-to-day basis, my responsibilities include a variety of outreach and support activities. I frequently attend or host meetings, conferences, and events that provide small businesses with opportunities to connect with prime contractors, government agencies, and other key stakeholders—an essential part of building relationships and increasing visibility. I also organize and lead training sessions covering topics such as Contracting & Bidding Opportunities, Introduction to Public Works Contracting, Caltrans Labor and Contract Compliance, Estimating & Bidding Basics, and Bonding. These workshops are especially valuable for businesses that are new to working with government agencies.
In addition to training, I help connect small businesses with vital resources both within and outside of Caltrans, including funding opportunities, mentorship programs, and sharing out their capability statements with our department. On the administrative side, I monitor small business participation in outreach events and help generate reports to track progress toward our goals. I also collaborate with contractors to ensure they are meeting their small business participation goals by facilitating networking events and encouraging partnerships. Ultimately, my role blends advocacy, education, and support to ensure that small businesses feel informed, empowered, and equipped to thrive in the government contracting space.
What kinds of businesses do you most often assist, and what are some of the biggest challenges for businesses when they start working with Caltrans?
I most often assist small businesses that are looking to get certified as a Small Business (SB), Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and those interested in partnering with prime contractors on Caltrans contracts. A common challenge these businesses face is understanding the certification process and how to effectively market themselves once certified. I provide guidance on building out their Cal eProcure profiles to make sure they’re visible to agency buyers and primes looking for partners. Another challenge is responding to prime contractors’ requests for assistance in meeting small business goals—many small businesses don’t realize how important it is to be proactive and responsive. My role is to guide them through these early steps so they’re better positioned to compete and collaborate successfully.
Many businesses don’t realize how much support is available through the advocate network and small business liaisons like yourself. How can someone get connected with an advocate like you?
To connect with an advocate like me, businesses can visit the District Small Business Liaison contact list on the Caltrans public-facing webpage. This page provides contact details for the small business liaison in each of Caltrans’ districts, making it easy to reach out and get support for navigating Caltrans processes and accessing available resources.
Caltrans has one of the largest contracting budgets in the state. What types of goods or services do small businesses often provide for your agency?
Small businesses often provide a wide range of goods and services for Caltrans, including construction materials, equipment rental, IT and Non-IT services, environmental consulting, traffic management, road safety products, and office & janitorial supplies. Additionally, businesses in fields like surveying, landscaping, and project management also play key roles in supporting Caltrans’ diverse contracting needs.
Businesses with a new technology or service can have a difficult time connecting with government agencies. How can you help them get their firm’s new product/service in front of the decision makers?
A Caltrans District Small Business Liaison (DSBL) can assist businesses with new technology or services by helping them navigate the agency’s vendor portal, where firms can fill out an online form with information about their product or innovation that might benefit Caltrans. This is a key step in getting their offering in front of the right decision-makers. The DSBL can guide them through the process and ensure their submission is directed to the appropriate departments for review and potential consideration.
Why is it important for small businesses to get certified as a Small Business (SB) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)?
It’s important for small businesses to get certified as a Small Business (SB) or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) because it provides a competitive edge when bidding on state contracts and procurements. Certified SBs are eligible for a 5% bid preference, which can make a significant difference in winning a contract. Additionally, Caltrans has a 25% small business participation goal and a 5% DVBE goal on state-funded contracts, meaning agencies actively look for certified firms to meet these targets. Certification helps small businesses stand out and access more contracting opportunities with the state.
Can you share a recent success story or example of a business that benefited from working with Caltrans, becoming certified, or connecting with you?
A great recent success story involves a small smog shop from Northern California that attended one of our outreach events. After learning about the opportunities available, they reached out to me as their local District Small Business Liaison (DSBL) for help with submitting their Small Business (SB) certification. I guided them through the certification process, and once certified, they were able to successfully connect with District 2’s mechanic shop and provide competitive bids. They are now providing CARB Clean Truck Checks at multiple locations, expanding their business and building a strong partnership with Caltrans. Their journey shows how certification and outreach support can open real doors for small businesses.
What tips would you give to a business owner just starting their journey into state contracting and contracting with Caltrans?
For a business owner just starting their journey into state contracting with Caltrans, I recommend a few key steps. First, attend outreach events—these are great opportunities to learn about upcoming projects, meet Caltrans staff, and get your questions answered. Second, connect with local resource partners like APEXs and SBDCs, which offer free support with certifications, registrations, and bidding. Third, network with prime contractors; building relationships with established firms can open doors to subcontracting opportunities. Lastly, if you’re eligible, consider applying for mentor-protégé programs, which pair small businesses with experienced contractors to help you grow and succeed in the state contracting environment.
Are there any upcoming opportunities or outreach efforts you’d like small businesses to know about?
Here are some upcoming outreach opportunities that small businesses should keep on their radar:
August 7, 2025 – A&E Outreach – Construction Inspection
- Join Caltrans for an informational outreach where we will share an overview of our upcoming District 2 on-call Construction Inspection contract.
- Meeting Number: 2483 361 6087
- Password: NBn3DeBA94r
- For questions, and to pre-register, contact Christine Hufnagel at: Christine.hufnagel@dot.ca.gov
August 14, 2025 (& every 2 weeks thereafter in perpetuity) – Northern Quarters
- Join North Region District Small Business Liaisons and guests for a bi-weekly micro-outreach series as we discuss timely updates and the latest happenings in the North Region and the Caltrans Small Business Program.
September 17, 2025 – Caltrans North Region “Prepare for the Fair” Event
- This virtual outreach event is a precursor to this year’s North Region Procurement Fair, consisting of presentations, workshops and discussions to prepare potential Procurement Fair attendees and help them make the most out of their networking opportunity.
- Elective topics to be offered via breakout rooms include:
- How to Do Business with the State of California
- Capability Statement Development Presentation
- Business Pitch Development Workshop
- Conducting Government Market Research via SCPRS
To stay up to date statewide, check the Caltrans Event Calendar on our public-facing website. It lists all upcoming outreach events—like “Doing Business with the State” webinars, procurement fairs, and networking opportunities—so you never miss a chance to connect.
How can businesses reach you or your team if they want help getting started?
Businesses can reach me and/or the North Region small business team, which supports Districts 1, 2, and 3, by emailing nr.small.business@dot.ca.gov. This is the best way to ask questions, get guidance on certifications, or learn how to do business with Caltrans. You can also submit a one-on-one meeting request with a District Small Business Liaison (DSBL) for personalized assistance. We’re here to help you get started and connect you with the right resources and opportunities.
From outreach events and CaleProcure profile guidance to real-world success stories, Amanda’s work is a reminder that small business advocates are here to open doors—not just explain rules. If your business is looking to work with Caltrans or other state agencies, don’t go at it alone. Reach out to your local Small Business Liaison and connect with Norcal APEX Accelerator for no-cost guidance, training, and business support. State procurement can be a daunting process, but you don’t have to go at it alone.
If you are looking for help with government contracting or want no-cost help to find contracting opportunities, please contact your Norcal APEX Accelerator counselor for assistance or apply for services today!
Authored by: Amanda Andersen, Caltrans D2 Small Business Liaison
If you have more questions, please contact us at info@apexnorcal.org or (707) 267 – 7561
