Supplier Diversity Newsletter

Greetings Partners,

New OMWBE State Certified Businesses - January 2022

Every month we share a list of the most recent state certified businesses including the firm’s name, contact information, business description, etc. This list is best utilized regularly in combination with OMWBE's Directory of Certified Firms.

Please contact Timolin Abrom for assistance using our online directory, or to schedule a virtual training for your procurement team.

Email: timolina@omwbe.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 280-3121

Toolkit Update

The first executive order of the year, 22-01: Equity in Public Contracting, includes Governor Inslee’s expectations for agency use of the Supplier Diversity Toolkit. OMWBE is happy to provide support in the form of workshops and consulting. You can read about what we will cover the workshops and sign up for them here: Toolkit Workshops. We will focus on Planning and Forecasting in next month’s session. We encourage contract managers, procurement specialists, and their supervisors to attend these workshops.

In April, the Supplier Diversity Team will begin analyzing how agencies have been using master contracts over the last several years to see how OMWBE can support their use.

We still have some capacity this year for assisting agencies who are developing written procedures, checklists, process flow diagrams, or other process documents. Please contact equitytoolkit@omwbe.wa.gov if you are interested in discussing how we can provide some consultation or facilitation support.

Welcome Nikoel to the OMWBE Supplier Diversity Team!

Nikoel Stevens joins OMWBE as our Supplier Diversity Contract Compliance Lead. She comes to us from Employment Security Department where she spent four years as a Procurement & Supply Specialist and six years before that as a technology buyer in the private sector. She is passionate about promoting inclusion, continuous improvement, and helping state workers successfully navigate seemingly endless change.

Nikoel is thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to OMWBE’s mission of promoting equity and increasing opportunities for diverse businesses. She moved to a mini farm in Centralia, WA for a quieter life nearly 8 years ago, but she’ll always be a Seattleite at heart. She loves tending to her many houseplants, gardening around her property, and spending time with her goats when she’s not busy studying for her next degree.

Supplier Diversity Agency Contacts

As you may have heard, Executive Order 22-01 requires executive and small cabinet agencies to designate a staff person or persons to oversee the implementation of the EO. We have received a number of designated points of contact to date, but several agencies have yet to respond.

Please use the button below to assign your Supplier Diversity Agency Contact if your agency has not already done so. We will be reaching out directly to these individuals regarding upcoming Toolkit Workshops and other activities related to implementation of EO 22-01 - Equity in Public Contracting.

Business Diversity Program Manager - Job Opening

The Washington State Department of Corrections is searching for an innovative, strategic, and forward-thinking leader to serve as Business Diversity Program Manager. In this newly established role, you will work in collaboration with our Business Services Unit, engaging internal and external partners to broaden the diverse scope of DOC contractors and procurement strategies.

This position will also have the opportunity to work in a collaborative partnership with The Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE), and subcabinets of the Officer of Governor, aligning our agency with statewide EDI business goals.

Deadline to Apply: March 10, 2022

Please share with your professional networks.

If you would like to include others on our distribution list to receive these monthly supplier diversity emails, please let us know at supplierdiversity@omwbe.wa.gov.