Bids Sought to Manage Small Business Center

The California Trade and Commerce Agency has issued its long-awaited request for proposals to operate a technology-based small business development center in Orange County. Information about the state’s guidelines was mailed to the dozen or more local organizations that have expressed interest in making a bid, said Trade and Commerce spokesman Mike Marando. They have until Oct. 15 to respond with a detailed proposal about how they would run the center.

The state hopes to decide on a sponsor in November and to have the center in place in January, Marando said. Although these centers receive the bulk of their funding from the state and federal governments, they are required to have a host organization that provides additional funding and office space, and manages the program.

The contract for a local technology center has been up for grabs since UC Irvine closed its Accelerate small business development center in December. The university has said it wants to start a more broad-based program that would help link the school with the local business community. By contrast, the government-funded business centers must operate within the parameters set by the Trade and Commerce Agency and the federal Small Business Administration.

Small business development centers are considered important to the local economy because they help stimulate business formation and the development of fast-growth firms. The new center would be one of more than 40 such programs throughout the state, which provide entrepreneurs with a range of services, including management advice and access to financing sources.

The new center will receive about $300,000 in government funding annually. Among those who have expressed interest in bidding for the contract are Cal State Fullerton and the Orange County Business Council.