Contracting with California State Government
Last year the state of California spent more than $10 billion on goods and services, including more than $2 billion with small businesses. And we want to help you get a piece of that pie!
Don’t miss out on this workshop for businesses that are ready to win contracts with the state of California. This workshop will expand your understanding of the state contracting process and help improve the success of your certified Small Business or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise in contracting with California state government.
Webinar topics include:
- How the state buys
- Acquisition Methods
- Leveraged Procurement Agreements
- Solicitation Formats
- Commercially Useful Function
- Resources
Meet your speaker
Diane Lydon,
Business Outreach Manager
CA DGS OSDS

Diane Lydon currently serves as a Business Outreach Manager for the Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services in the Procurement Division of the California Department of General Services. In her role, Diane educates business owners on how to do business with the state and the benefits of pursuing state certification. She provides best practices and guidance in finding contract opportunities with the state of California.
Prior to joining Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Services, Diane managed development and delivery of educational training programs for the World Trade Center Northern California. She designed and managed training activities for small to medium-size companies on export fundamentals, markets, supply chain and finance. She collaborated on programs with Small Business Development Centers, Chambers of Commerce, the Small Business Administration and U.S. Commercial Services.
Diane is an experienced leader in business development and has a substantive background in marketing communications. She has a proven record of accomplishments in helping small and diverse businesses successfully connect to markets to achieve brand and business objectives.

CA DGS Office of Small Business & DVBE Services (CA DGS OSDS)
The CA Department of General Services Office of Small Business and DVBE Services (CA DGS OSDS) commits to helping small, diverse and disabled veteran businesses thrive. OSDS assists businesses with certification and access to procurement opportunities through outreach, education and advocacy. OSDS also works to ensure the state as a whole and each department and agency meets the goal of spending 25% of contract dollars with California certified small businesses and 3% with disabled veteran business enterprises.
Registration Cost: FREE
Location: Virtual (Zoom Webinar)
Event Contact: Norcal APEX Accelerator
P: (707) 267-7561
E: info@apexnorcal.org
This no-cost training event is hosted by

Norcal APEX Accelerator
Northern California APEX Accelerator is a government-funded nonprofit formed to help small businesses find, bid on, and win contracts with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies.