Help Us Enhance State Procurement Communications and Outreach

Your ideas can help us create clearer, more helpful communications and outreach — making it easier for businesses to connect with state procurement opportunities.

Convey is partnering with the California Department of General Services (DGS) to develop a plan for providing businesses with better information about procurement, customer service, and outreach. We’ve identified six areas where we can enhance how we communicate and engage with businesses, making it simpler to access opportunities and resources.

Each area is framed as a “How Might We” question to spark creative thinking and invite your input. You’ll also have the chance to see and respond to others’ ideas, contributing to solutions that benefit all businesses navigating state procurement.

Note: This initiative focuses only on improving DGS communications and outreach. It does not address procurement processes or contract requirements.

Ready to share your ideas? Select a challenge below and join the conversation.

DGS website user

Challenge 1

Getting Started

Some businesses, especially new or small ones, find it difficult to understand how state contracting works, where to begin, or what steps to take. Without clear guidance, it can feel overwhelming or inaccessible.
Share your Ideas

Challenge 2

Finding Opportunities

Some businesses, particularly small or diverse ones, report having limited awareness of new contracting opportunities. When businesses come across active opportunities on their own, whether through CSCR or word of mouth, it’s sometimes too late to prepare a response.
Share your Ideas

Challenge 3

Knowing If It’s a Good Fit

It’s not always easy for businesses to tell whether an opportunity is right for them. Without clear information up front, vendors may spend time on proposals that aren’t aligned with their capabilities or readiness.
Share your Ideas

Challenge 4

Finding Information Online

Businesses have indicated that they struggle to find and understand important information about doing business with the state. The information is spread across different websites and systems, and it's often not organized in a clear or easy-to-use way. It can be confusing and time-consuming to figure out where to go and what to do.
Share your Ideas

Challenge 5

Understanding What’s Required

Businesses have reported being challenged when interpreting procurement documents and forms that include complex legal or technical language. This can make it hard to understand what’s required or how to prepare a strong proposal, especially for vendors with limited resources or prior experience.
Share your Ideas

Challenge 6

Learning From Bid Outcomes

Some businesses report receiving little or no information or feedback after a contract is awarded. This makes it difficult for vendors to understand what worked, what didn’t, or what improvements they can make the next time they submit a bid. This can discourage future participation and reduce trust in the process.
Share your Ideas