Supplier Diversity Newsletter

Greetings Partners,

We are doing things a little differently this month! From now on we will include updates on the Access Equity project, in addition to New OMWBE Certifications and Toolkit Updates. Please read on for details about each topic.

New OMWBE State Certified Businesses

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 Businesses.

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

Email: supplierdiversity@omwbe.wa.gov

Toolkit Assessments are Wrapping Up

The Supplier Diversity Team contacted agencies over the last few months to discuss their readiness to meet the expectations of Executive Order 22-01, which requires the use of the Tools for Equity in Public Spending. Although we have room for improvement, most of the agencies are using the toolkit at least to some degree. The Supplier Diversity Team now has a list of ideas for additional support and a better understanding of which agencies can serve as role models for those that need some help.

Next steps are to prioritize the ideas for support, then develop and implement action plans. We will follow up with agencies to re-assess use of the tools later this year, most likely an informal email check-in (but hopefully not a survey 😊).

Upcoming Toolkit Workshops

August 4th – Outreach: This is a chance to reduce anxiety about what you can and cannot say about a bid opportunity. We will talk about what businesses need to know and how to get that information to them. OMWBE is partnering with Tiffany Scroggs of the Thurston County Economic Development Council to facilitate this conversation.

August 25th – Planning and Forecasting: Take a deep breath! You made it through the budget process. Now that you have, you can use that information, in addition to your agency’s strategic plan and prioritized initiatives, to help small businesses anticipate upcoming procurement needs.

Executive Order 22-01 - Implementation Guide

Back in April, we sent out Implementation Guide for Executive Order 22-01. This executive order directs all Executive and Small Cabinet Agencies to adopt and incorporate, as appropriate, the Tools for Equity in Public Spending by July 2022.

Now that the Toolkit Assessments are wrapping up, we are reaching back out to make sure every agency has access to the guide and is aware of the expectations outlined in the executive order.

Our Supplier Diversity team will be reaching out to agency contacts tomorrow to confirm everyone has access to the Implementation Guide (available below).

If you have any questions, please contact Resie Rogers at resier@omwbe.wa.gov

Introducing Access Equity –
Your Business Diversity Management System

In accordance with Executive Order 22-01, OMWBE is working with agencies and colleges across the state to improve how we track public spending with diverse businesses. This includes subcontractor spending, which represents a large portion of diverse spending with certified minority- and women-owned businesses.

Several agencies in the Governor's Subcabinet on Business Diversity are currently implementing the system, which includes modules for Contract Compliance and Outreach & Event Management. We will be reaching out to all agencies in the coming months to train your contracting and procurement teams on system use.

Benefits of Access Equity:

• Automated data collection and reporting
• Data standardization and error reduction
• Improved business outreach
• Real-time access to diverse spending reports

The last few years have shed a necessary light on the many inequities experienced by the communities we serve. We thank you for standing in solidarity with our agency, and remaining committed to contracting equity and supplier diversity principles.

More Access Equity updates to come in our August Newsletter!

2022 Agency Inclusion Plans

Thank you to every agency that completed your 2022 Agency Inclusion Plans! They are now posted to the OMWBE website for the public to access. You can view agency plans and diverse spending reports on our Agency Reports and Plans page.

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.