March 2023

Department of Enterprise Services

Supplier Diversity policy updates

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Supplier Diversity policy takes effect April 1
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The new enterprise Supplier Diversity Policy to increase goods and services purchases from small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses in Washington state goes into effect on April 1. 

DES launched the policy and related resources in October 2022 to give all state employees six months to complete the required training. 

The policy includes accountability measures for agency leadership. 

Supplier Diversity Policy & resources for agencies

The goal of the enterprise supplier diversity policy is to provide meaningful contracts to small, diverse and veteran businesses in Washington state.

We've compiled resources to help agencies follow and implement the enterprise policy:

• Policy
• Interactive handbook
• Introductory sessions
• Training
• Search for small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses that are on statewide contracts
• 2023 workshops that support implementation 

Supplier Diversity Training is due April 1

The Supplier Diversity Policy Training is available in the Washington State Learning Center and must be complete by April 1.

Check your assigned training for one of these courses:

• Procurement professionals and contract managers: WA State Supplier Diversity Training
• Agency leaders: WA State Contracts and Procurement for Executives Training

OMWBE, DES offer monthly workshops 

State agency procurement and contracts professionals can learn about strategies for implementing supplier diversity strategies by attending one of the workshops scheduled in 2023. 

What's next?

DES will consider agencies’ compliance with the policy as part of the risk assessment that determines agencies’ delegated procurement authority. The next risk assessment cycle starts in 2024.