Overview

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) is committed to small businesses playing a major role in building the statewide high-speed rail project. The Small Business Program has an aggressive 30 percent goal for small business participation including Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) and Micro-Businesses (MB).

When applicable, the program‘s 30 percent small business participation goal for contracts let by the HSRA includes:

• 10 percent DBE participation goal
• 3 percent DVBE participation goal

The Small Business Program requires the design-build and consultant teams to develop and implement a small business performance plan to achieve the 30 percent goal.​

Objectives

The HSRA‘s small business objective is to create a Small Business Program that is flexible, attainable, efficient and credible. Efforts to meet the 30 percent small business participation goal include a robust outreach plan, networking with potential contractors, a Small Business newsletter and a Business Advisory Council which serves as a forum to provide essential input to the HSRA that impact the small business community.

Plan Components

The HSRA has committed to several small business plan components. The components include, but are not limited to, prompt payment provisions and assistance to small business resources. Additionally, the HSRA will work collaboratively with small businesses to ensure they are provided a platform to express ideas and concerns.

While the HSRA is not a small business certifying agency, the HSRA recognizes the small business certifications from the California Department of General Services the California Unified Certification Program, and the U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a) Program.