UC Davis Supply Chain Management will present a webinar next week on UC’s new Small Business First Program.

“Any employee who purchases on behalf of their department or the university should familiarize themselves with the requirements of Small Business First,” states an announcement on the Supply Chain Management website. See box for information on next week’s webinar.

Under Small Business First, approved by the Board of Regents in June and incorporated into UC Policy BFB-BUS-43, the university must award certain nonconstruction contracts and procurements to government-certified Small Businesses and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, wherever practicable, for deals valued between $10,000 and $250,000 and when the goods and-or services cannot be obtained through an existing strategically-sourced agreement.

UC Davis Supply Chain Management posted a notice Aug. 12, saying, “All requisitions submitted going forward, from the time of [this] notice, will be subject to Small Business First requirements.”

UC Procurement’s Small Business First website states: “Small businesses play a significant role in the California economy. But small businesses face major challenges, especially since the pandemic. Targeted procurement programs like Small Business First can help small businesses mitigate these difficulties.

“This policy helps UC invest in and enrich our local communities with jobs and economic stability while furthering our sustainability goals and mission of teaching, research and public service.”

Questions should be directed by email to the UC Davis Small Business Program.