DVBE Certification Renewal Checklist

To ensure that your certification renewal is processed timely and to avoid a lapse in your certification, please follow these instructions.

1. Submit your renewal as soon as possible and on time. 
   • Even though you've been certified before, every renewal application is thoroughly reviewed for eligibility compliance. 
   • Renewals received in our office after the expiration date will be considered expired.  The expired renewal will receive a new "pending" status and it will be processed in the date order received along with the many pending "new" applications.  In some cases, the expired renewal will not be accepted and a new certification application will have to be submitted.
2. Read and follow the instructions in the enclosed letter of how the renewal process works. 
3. Along with your completed renewal application and the required support documents in Section E of the renewal form, you must also submit:
   • A copy of your business license and all applicable professional licenses and permits.
   • A completed Service-Connected Disability Renewal Statement if your service-connected disability rating has not changed.  If your disability rating has changed or if you submit your renewal after your certification expires, you must submit a new Award of Entitlement letter from the Veterans Affairs dated within six months of your recertification request.
   • A written response to the Commercially Useful Function (CUF) supplemental questions, a new certification requirement.  This applies to all renewing firms.  To view the specific compliance requirements and sanctions for non-compliance, please go to OSDS' website and see the "Commercially Useful Function requirements for Small Business, Microbusiness and DVBEs (1/18/05)" (pdf) link in the far right column under "Important Notices".
4. DVBE Federal Tax Return Submission Requirements:
   • All DVBEs must submit to the OSDS each postcertification tax year, a complete copy of your business' federal income tax return, including extensions, within 90 days of the tax return's filing due date. If your business is a partnership, each partner must also submit a complete copy of his or her individual tax return.
   • If your firm rents equipment to the State and it is not a sole proprietorship, you must also include in your submittal a complete copy of the personal federal income tax return for each of the disabled veteran owners of the equipment, including extensions, within 90 days of the tax return's filing due date.
   • Failure to provide federal tax returns shall be deemed a voluntary withdrawal from the DVBE program and certification may be denied or terminated, and your business will be prohibited from participating in any state contract until all requirements are met in accordance with Military & Veterans Code Section 999.2 (g)(4).
5. Return the entire completed and signed Renewal Application, required tax returns and support documents, Service-Connected Disability Renewal Statement and answers to the supplemental CUF questions, to:
   • Department of General Services
     Office of Small Business and DVBE Services (OSDS)
     707 3rd Street, 1st Floor, Room 400
     West Sacramento, CA  95605
   • We must receive the original signed Renewal Application before it expires.  You may not fax it to us.
6. We make every effort to renew certifications prior to their expiration.  However, if you are in a bidding situation that requires certification to be completed by a specific date, please include a written request and documentation from an upcoming solicitation documenting the "bid due date".