Part of Step by step: Become a City Supplier

Comply with the Equal Benefits Program

Become eligible to work with the City by offering the same benefits to employees with spouses and employees with same-sex and different-sex domestic partners. We can help you add domestic partner benefits if you don't already have them.

What to do

The Equal Benefits program code used to be located in Chapter 12B of the Administrative Code.  It is now located in Articles 131 and 132 of the Labor and Employment Code.

1. Sign in to your account on the Supplier Portal

Have your username and password ready.

If you do not have a username and password, contact the DTIS Help Desk: dtis.helpdesk@sfgov.org.

Sign in

2. Add a new Declaration

Once you're signed in, complete the following steps:

  1. Click on the Certifications menu on the right side of the screen
  2. Click on Equal Benefits Program (Article 131, formerly 12B) Declaration
  3. Click the Add A New Value tab
  4. Under Declaration Type, select Supplier if you have a Supplier ID. If you do not have a Supplier ID, select Bidder. (Bidder numbers start with “B”)
  5. Click the Add button

If you need to update an existing Declaration, click Find An Existing Value. Thenenter the Declaration number and click the Search button. Continue the remaining steps.

3. Complete your Declaration

Follow the prompts to complete the Equal Benefits Declaration.

Include the following documents with your Declaration:

  • Formal verification of your employee count (see examples below)
  • Memorandum to your employees notifying them that employees with domestic partners and employees with spouses have equal benefits (see our employee memorandum template)

You may use any of the following forms to verify your employee count:

  • Form W-3
  • Form 941
  • DE 9C form
  • Form SS-4
  • Form 1040 SE
  • OSHA Form 300A
  • CA EDD Quarterly Contribution Return

You must submit an employee count verification even if you have no employees or have no location or employees in San Francisco.

In the event of an audit, any policy documents that you submit with this form will be reviewed.

4. Submit your Declaration

Once you have completed your Declaration, submit it by clicking:

  1. Save
  2. Print
  3. Submit or Cancel

Tip: Write down the Declaration Number that appears at the top of the page in case you need to contact the Equal Benefits Unit.

Next steps

Check your compliance status

You will receive a confirmation email when we have assigned your company as Equal Benefits compliant.

You can check your compliance status in your PeopleSoft account.

Convert to a supplier

If you are a bidder, you must convert to being a supplier. Contact the Supplier Management Team at supplier.management@sfgov.org to request conversion.

Next, notify all City departments you currently work with that your business is compliant.

Maintain compliance

To maintain compliance, you must submit a new Equal Benefits Declaration and supporting documentation if there is a major change in your business.

Major changes may include:

  • Name changes
  • Employee count changes that result in a change in benefits
  • Tax ID changes

Get help

Contract Monitoring Division

1455 Market Street
Suite 16A
San Francisco, CA 94103

Phone

Last updated June 4, 2024

Department

Contract Monitoring Division