Question 1

What is a DVBE and why does it matter for my project?

Accepted Answer

A Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) is a California state certification for businesses at least 51% owned and operated by service-disabled veterans. California Executive Order mandates that state agencies award at least 3% of their total contract value to DVBEs. For general contractors bidding on public works, meeting or exceeding this DVBE participation goal is often a condition of award. Failure to meet the goal – or demonstrate a Good Faith Effort – can result in a non-responsive bid determination.

Question 2

What is the difference between DVBE and SDVOSB?

Accepted Answer

DVBE is a California state certification administered by the Department of General Services. SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) is a federal certification administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. AEY holds both. DVBE applies to California state contracts and public works. SDVOSB applies to federal contracts and subcontracting plans. When you work with AEY, you can count our participation toward whichever certification applies to your specific contract.

Question 3

What are the City of Los Angeles RAMP certifications?

Accepted Answer

RAMP (Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement) is the City of Los Angeles certification program for small and local businesses. AEY holds SBE, EBE, LBE, SLB, LSB, SBE Proprietary, and DVBE certifications through RAMP. These apply to City of LA departments, LAWA (Los Angeles World Airports), LA DWP, and other city agencies.

Question 4

How does the SB/DVBE Option work?

Accepted Answer

The SB/DVBE Option is a streamlined contracting process that allows California state agencies to contract directly with certified DVBE and Small Business firms for goods, services, IT, and public works projects. This procurement method bypasses the standard competitive bidding process for qualifying contracts, making it faster and simpler for agencies to engage certified firms like AEY.

Question 5

Does AEY meet the Commercially Useful Function (CUF) requirement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. California law requires DVBE firms to perform a commercially useful function on contracts. As a material supplier, AEY meets CUF by sourcing, negotiating pricing, purchasing materials, coordinating delivery logistics, and assuming contractual responsibility for the products we supply. We are not a pass-through entity – we are a legitimate supply chain operation managing procurement from order through delivery.

Question 6

Can I verify AEY’s certifications independently?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Our DVBE and SB certifications are verifiable on CaleProcure (search "AEY Inc." or Cert #2038714). Our SDVOSB certification is verifiable through SBA VetCert (UEI: EDF4ASNYXVS5). Our General Contractor license is verifiable on the CSLB website (License #1144157). Our SAM.gov registration is active (CAGE: 9XUS2). Links to all verification portals are provided below.

Verified. Compliant. Ready.

Certification questions.

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