About Cal Water
Suppliers

Supplier FAQ

What types of products and services does Cal Water buy from suppliers?
Cal Water’s purchasing needs span every area of our business—from construction, maintenance equipment, and tools to office supplies and business services—and we are committed to cultivating relationships with suppliers who can help us provide the best value and service to customers.

We seek suppliers in nearly every area of our business, including:

  • Catering Services
  • Chlorinators
  • Construction-Related Tools and Equipment
  • Corrugated and Paper Recyclers
  • Courier Services
  • Engineering Consultants
  • Fence Repair Services
  • Hazmat Retrieval and Recyclers
  • Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Maintenance Services
  • IT Software and Hardware, Copiers, and Phone Equipment
  • Janitorial Services
  • Legal and Accounting Services
  • Microwave, Electrical, Electronics, and SCADA Equipment
  • Pest Control Services
  • Pump and Motor Repair
  • Security Services
  • Stationery/Furniture
  • Underground and Landscaping Contractors
  • Vehicle and Auto Body Repair
  • Well and Tank Rehab/Maintenance

What are the steps I need to take to become a qualified supplier for Cal Water?
A prospective supplier must meet the following minimum qualification requirements:

  1. Submit the Vendor Information and W9 forms.
  2. Cal Water requires certificates of insurance and must be named as an additional insured (endorsement of additional insured is required—see detailed insurance requirements). Note that insurance requirements may vary based on type/dollar amount of contract.
  3. Proof that your company has been operating for at least two years and performing similar work that is being contracted for, or evidence of equivalent experience.
  4. Ability to collect and pay appropriate sales tax and other taxes to appropriate agencies.
  5. Acceptance of Cal Water’s Terms & Conditions.
  6. Ability to provide financial reporting and references upon request.
  7. Knowledge of your company’s most applicable and appropriate SIC codes, which will also be required on our Vendor Information Form. (To look up codes for your business, please visit either www.naics.com/search or www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html.)

Does Cal Water have a supplier outreach initiative?
Yes! Please see the supplier outreach page for more information, and check our calendar of events for future opportunities to meet with us.

How do I learn about upcoming opportunities to work with Cal Water?
After you are registered in our database, we will contact you when we have an opportunity that relates to your submission.

What are the next steps after I register with Cal Water’s supplier database?
After you have submitted the Vendor Information Form, your profile is made available to our Procurement Team and you will receive an email confirmation. At that point, we will begin our standard background check process. We’ll contact you as soon as an opportunity becomes available in your area.

Does Cal Water guarantee work for qualified suppliers?
No, Cal Water does not guarantee work to any supplier, but we are deeply committed to finding qualified suppliers.

How can I contact someone about sourcing opportunities within Cal Water?
Cal Water participates in a number of events throughout the year in our communities. Our Procurement Team members interview and provide information about sourcing opportunities to potential suppliers during these events.

What is a diverse supplier?
A diverse supplier is a business enterprise majority owned and controlled by a woman, minority, disabled veteran, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender individual or person with disabilities who also are United States citizens or permanent residents. For more information on the CPUC’s definition of diverse suppliers, please visit The Supplier Clearinghouse web site or California Department of General Services’ web site.

What are the steps I need to take to becoming a qualified minority supplier for Cal Water?
A prospective supplier must meet the following minimum qualification requirements for our supplier outreach initiative:

  1. Be certified with the CPUC’s Supplier Clearinghouse or the California Department of General Services.
  2. Once certified, register by completing and submitting a Vendor Information Form and W-9 (see the For Suppliers page for details).
  3. Ability to provide General Liability, Auto, and Worker’s Compensation certificates of insurance that meet Cal Water’s minimum requirements of a $2 million policy for each area of coverage, and $1 million for each
    occurrence. (See detailed insurance requirements.) Note that insurance requirements may vary based on type/dollar amount of contract.
  4. Proof that your company has been operating for at least two years and performing similar work that is being contracted for, or evidence of equivalent experience.
  5. Ability to provide five current references from satisfied customers following completion of similar work.
  6. Evidence that your company has a good credit rating and is financially stable.
  7. A U.S. Federal Taxpayer ID number or country equivalent taxpayer identification.
  8. Ability to collect and pay appropriate sales tax and other taxes to proper agencies.
  9. Knowledge of your company’s most applicable and appropriate SIC codes, which will also be required on our Vendor Information Form. (To look up codes for your business, see the NAICS Association web site.)
  10. Acceptance of Cal Water’s Terms & Conditions.

How do I get certified?
Diverse suppliers can apply for certification through the CPUC’s independent certifying body, The Supplier Clearinghouse (for women, minority, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and persons with disabilities business enterprises) or California Department of General Services (for disabled-veteran business enterprises). Detailed information about eligibility criteria and an online application form is available at each respective web site.

How long will the certification process take?
The average certification process can range from 15-30 days once the application is submitted.

How do I learn about upcoming opportunities to work with Cal Water?
We welcome all certified diverse suppliers who want to work with us to register in our supplier database. When opportunities become available at Cal Water, we will contact you.

What are the next steps after I register with Cal Water’s supplier outreach database?
Once you have submitted the Vendor Information Form and W-9, your profile is made available to our Supplier Outreach Team and you will receive an email confirmation. At that point, we will begin our standard background check processes. We’ll contact you as soon as an opportunity becomes available in your area.

Does Cal Water guarantee work for diverse suppliers?
No, Cal Water does not guarantee work to any supplier, but we are deeply committed to working with diverse suppliers.

How can I contact someone if I have more questions?
If you have any additional questions about Cal Water’s procurement process or supplier outreach initiative, please send an email to [email protected].