The United States Government sets aside contract benefits for companies certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).  Executive Order 13360 was designed to strengthen federal contracting opportunities for SDVO firms. The current VETS contract is for the period from 2 February 2007 through 1 February 2012 with a five-year option. This program has a ceiling of $5 billion. While this money is set aside by the Office of Federal Procurement it is up to the government agencies to provide the contracts, mainly the United States Department of Defense (DoD).

In response to Assembly Bill 3678, the Commission issued General Order 156 (GO 156), which outlined program guidelines to promote utility recruitment and use of women and minority-owned business enterprises. GO 156 also required participating utilities to establish a joint clearinghouse. Procurement goals of 5% for women and 15% for minorities were initially established, and later augmented with a 1.5% goal for Disabled Veteran Enterprises.

In the year 1989 California established the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) program. The DVBE program sets a 3% minimum goal for DVBE participation in state contracts for goods and services, and requires eligible DVBEs to obtain capabilities certification by the State’s Department of General Services prior to program participation.

Created in 1973 by the Small Business Procurement and Contract Act; this program creates opportunities for small businesses when contracting with the State of California. State Agencies are to award at least 25% of annual contracting dollars to certified firms.