The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) embarked upon an aggressive, multi-billion-dollar school construction and renovation program, which by the end of 2013 delivered more than 170,000 new classroom seats. Modernized facilities improve student achievements and reduce long-term costs. In continuation of its mission to provide state-of-the-art school facilities, the LAUSD is continuously investing close to $1 billion a year in its unprecedented school renovation program. LAUSD's investment in new and existing school facilities represents the largest school construction and renovation program in the western United States.

In recognition that the school construction and renovation program will require a large pool of qualified contractors and that the construction activity will take place in diverse neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles and neighboring cities, the Board of Education deems it imperative that small businesses compete for these economic opportunities.

25% Small Business Enterprise Participation Goal

Contractor Academy

In February 2003, the Board of Education established a 25% Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation goal on all District contracts. In October 2013, the Board reaffirmed their commitment to the District wide small business participation goal of twenty-five percent (25%), increased the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation goal to five percent (5%) and established a (10%) bid preference for bids only on contracts pursuant to Public Contract Code section 20111. In 2020, the Board adopted a new Resolution, which expanded the DVBE program to all veterans and added Micro-businesses to the preference program. These far-reaching SBE/DVBE participation goals are the guiding principles for the Small Business Program.

The mission of the Small Business Program is to increase the pool of qualified vendors competing for LAUSD procurement opportunities. The Small Business Program provides SBE firms with information and access to compete for goods contracts, architecture, engineering, and professional services contracts; and referral services to technical assistance, financial, bonding and insurance, and certification services that promote the long-term competitive capacity of SBE firms.