The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Small Business Boot Camp is a program that provides small contractors with the tools necessary to improve their competitive capacity through a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum. At the conclusion of the program, graduating small contractors will be ready to bid on LAUSD contracts, and will be well-prepared to pursue contracts with other public agencies. The program has both short and long-term benefits for participating contractors and will serve to expand the District's pool of qualified contractors.

	Internal Revenue Service		Small Business Development Center		Employment Development Department

The Small Business Boot Camp will offer a comprehensive curriculum covering the following topics:

• Bonding & Certification - Learn how to increase your company's bonding capacity, and how to apply for the LAUSD Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification to gain future recognition in the District's 25% SBE participation goal.
• General Conditions - A contract administrator will guide contractors through the general conditions explaining key components to help them better understand and comply with contract performance requirements. This session includes an overview of common public sector contracting terms and conditions, as well as a briefing on the District's Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP), the Field Act and the processes for stop notices, change orders, and subcontractor substitution.
• Principles of Scheduling & Estimating - A seasoned construction scheduler will introduce the principals of developing a project schedule as required by LAUSD contract specifications. A lead estimator will guide you through the estimating process in a hands-on curriculum-based setting.
• How to bid on LAUSD Informal and Formal Contracts - Learn how to pursue new contracting opportunities by understanding how to prepare bid for both informal contracts and competitive formal contracts. This session provides up-to-date information on LAUSD's bidding policies, including an overview of the contract process from the pre-bid phase through the bid submission, award, and project completion.
• How to develop a Safety Plan - A safety Director will guide you through the development of an Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and Hazard Communication Program, helping your business comply with the California Occupational Safety and Health Act (Cal/OSHA).
• Access to Capital, EDD and IRS Laws - Public and private sector financial services professionals will guide contractors through small business loan eligibility criteria, loan options, and lending terms. Participants will also learn how to comply with State and Federal Government tax laws, including regulations from the Employment Development Department (EDD) and the Internal Revenue Services (IRS).
• LAUSD Contractor Prequalification - LAUSD will guide you through the Contractor Pre-qualification Questionnaire in a hands-on workshop environment. Safety and Contractor Prequalification is required to bid on all contracts.
• Labor Compliance and Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) – Learn how to avoid Labor Code violations by gaining access to compliance tools and resources to ensure adherence to Department of Labor laws and regulations, including certified payroll and prevailing wage requirements. This seminar also includes a briefing on the Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA), and the "We Build" Program.
• Inspection - Learn the processes and procedures required to comply with all inspection requirements. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the various types of inspections applicable to LAUSD construction projects, including pre-construction, in-progress, and final inspections. Participants will gain insight into documentation standards, scheduling protocols, and how to address corrective actions.

Contractors enrolled in the program must attend and actively participate in each seminar to graduate from the Small Business Boot Camp. Each seminar is approximately two hours long in the evening, with one seminar per week. There is no enrollment cost to participate. However, it requires significant time commitment and contractors must possess a valid contractor's license.