The Target Area Contract Preference Act (TACPA)

Purpose and Description

The TACPA program was established in 1983 to stimulate economic growth and employment opportunities in designated distressed Areas throughout the state of California. The Procurement Division (PD), Dispute Resolution Unit (DRU) within the Department of General Services oversees the TACPA preference program and evaluates all TACPA applications. The Department of General Services (DGS) derives its authority from California Government Code, Title I, Division 5, Chapter 10.5, Section 4530 et seq., and California Code of Regulations, Title II, Division 2, Chapter 3, Subchapter 9, Article 1, Sections 1896.30 - 1896.41.

Solicitation Limits

The state agency conducting the competitive solicitation is responsible for including the preference option information and request forms, in any solicitation for a contract in excess of $100,000. However, DGS-PD recommends that state agencies include the preference option information and request of forms for any solicitation estimated to be over $85,000. Let it be noted, for any contract in which the worksite is fixed by the provisions of the contract, the TACPA preference option does not apply.

Worksite

To qualify for a TACPA preference, the firm must be located directly in a California eligible distressed area(s), located directly adjoining/adjacent, or contiguous to a valid TACPA Census Tract & Block Group boundary. (GC 4532)

Manufactured Goods

Whenever the state prepares a solicitation for a contract for goods, the state shall award a 5 percent preference to Californian-based companies who demonstrate and certify under penalty of perjury that at least 50 percent of the labor hours required to manufacture the goods and perform the contract, shall be accomplished at an identified worksite or worksite located in, adjacent, or contiguous to a distressed area. (GC 4533)

Services

In evaluating proposals for contracts for services, the state shall award 5 percent preference on the price submitted by California-based companies who demonstrate and certify under penalty of perjury that not less than 90 percent of the total labor hours requires to perform the contract shall be accomplished at an identified worksite or worksites located in a distressed area. (GC 4534)

Work-Force

Bidders may also apply for an additional work-force preference of 1 to 4 percent if the bidder certifies under penalty of perjury to hire persons with high risk of unemployment equal to 5 to 20 percent of its work force during the period of the contract performance. (GC 4533.1)

Compliance and Enforcement

The DGS-PD-DRU monitors compliance of all contracts awarded based on the approval of TACPA work site(s) and workforce preference. Bidders that have requested and have been given preference shall submit monthly performance reports demonstrating compliance with worksite(s) and workforce requirements (if requested). Bidder’s who fail to comply may be assessed a penalty fee or may be ineligible to directly or indirectly transact with the state for a period up to 36 months. (GC 4535.1)

Related Web Links

California Government Code, Title I, Division 5, Chapter 10.5, Section 4530 et seq., (Click on this link)
  • The Department of General Services (DGS), Procurement Division (PD), Dispute Resolution Unit’s (DRU), (use this link: TACPA Program)
  • TACPA Location finder, (use this link: TACPA Map)

To apply for TACPA preferences the following links/forms are utilized