Good faith effort outreach in California

When a public works contract has a participation goal you can't fully meet, the agency judges your bid on the good faith effort you documented before bid day. Here are the steps agencies commonly look for, and how to keep a clean file. Your bid documents always set the exact rules.

• DBE: federally funded transportation work (Caltrans local assistance, transit, airports). Goals are returning in California after the 2026 re-certification.
• SBE, LBE and similar local programs: set by cities, counties, transit and water agencies, each with its own outreach checklist.
• DVBE: state contracts set DVBE participation goals. On DGS contracts the goal itself must be met; a good faith effort is not accepted in its place.

1. Advertise early. Publish the opportunity in trade and focused media far enough ahead of bid day for firms to respond. Many agencies set a minimum number of days.
2. Break out the work. List specific work items and supplies that certified firms can realistically perform, not just “all trades.”
3. Solicit directly. Email and call certified firms in the right trades, using the agency's certified-firm directory.
4. Follow up. Contact interested firms again, answer questions and share plans.
5. Help with barriers. Offer help with bonding, insurance, credit or equipment where you can.
6. Record everything. Keep the ad proof, solicitation lists, responses, quotes received and why each was or wasn't used.

An outreach ad is often the first item a reviewer checks, because it proves the opportunity was public and dated. The Daily Reporter is certified by the California Department of General Services as a Trade Newspaper and Focused Newspaper. Each ad comes with an online proof and a signed affidavit of publication you can put straight into your bid package. See pricing and how it works.