In response to Assembly Bill 3678, the California Public Utilities Commission issued General Order 156 (GO 156). This order outlined guidelines to promote the recruitment and use of women and minority-owned business enterprises by regulated utilities. As a result, the Utility Supplier Diversity Program (USDP) was created.

GO 156 also required participating utilities to establish a joint clearinghouse. Procurement goals of 5% for women and 15% for minorities were initially established, and later augmented with a 1.5% goal for disabled veteran enterprises.

The program monitors supplier diversity in procurements by participating utilities and oversees a clearinghouse of women, minority and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises.

The CPUC clearinghouse operator verifies the status of firms seeking certification as women or minority-owned businesses. Disabled veteran-owned businesses are certified by the Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Participation Program, a unit of the Department of General Services.

Park Water Company is a participating utility. You can find detailed information regarding the CPUC Program and how you can become certified here.

Once you become certified, contact Park's program coordinator to be added to our list of potential vendors.