Supplier Diversity Newsletter

Greetings Partners,

New OMWBE Certified Businesses

Every month we share a list of the most recent state certified businesses including the business 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

Important News on Goal Setting for Agencies

The OMWBE team has been working for the past year to streamline the ways we collect mandatory reporting data from state agencies. 

First, OMWBE has developed a goal setting methodology that will enable us to establish diverse business inclusion goals for agencies for the first time in over 20 years. Establishing goals gives us something to work towards and raises collective awareness of how our annual expenditures support small minority- and women-owned businesses.

Second, the Agency Inclusion Plans we collect from you annually will be referred to as Business Diversity Spending Goal Plans moving forward. This change aligns with the new goal setting process and will remain a collaborative annual activity between your agency and OMWBE.

These changes will take effect starting in fiscal year 2024.

Goal Setting Open House

OMWBE is hosting two Goal Setting Open House events in June, to walk agencies through the new goal setting methodology with time for Q&A.

• Open House #1 – Tuesday, Jun 6^th, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• Open House #2 – Thursday, Jun 8^th, 10:00 am - 11:00 am

We hope to see you there! OMWBE will share more information about Business Diversity Spending Goal Plans in the weeks to come.

Washington State Tools for Equity in Public Spending

Different Types of Outreach

OMWBE revised outreach guidance last year to break it down into easily understandable categories. It is still a work in progress. The best place to start your outreach efforts is with the Outreach Program Guidelines document. The guide will help you establish a comprehensive outreach program and gives context for the three types of outreach: General, Targeted Industry, and Targeted Solicitation.

The type of outreach you do most often will depend on what role you have in the procurement process. If you are the supplier diversity implementation lead, DEI manager, or procurement team manager at your agency/organization, you will probably use General and Targeted Industry Outreach. If you are a contract or project manager, you will probably use Targeted Solicitation Outreach (specific to a procurement effort) most often.

Thinking this through from a process perspective:

• You should always be ready for and engaged in General Outreach as opportunities arise or as you create them.
• You can use forecasting information to guide Targeted Industry Outreach.
• When you are ready to ask for RFPs and bids, you can use Targeted Solicitation Outreach (procurement specific outreach) to notify certified businesses.

Of course, for all purchases, you can use OMWBE’s directory to find certified minority- and woman-owned businesses. If you need more help, please feel free to contact equitytoolkit@omwbe.wa.gov with questions or to set up a meeting.

Subcabinet Update

On July 12th, the Subcabinet on Business Diversity will host its quarterly meeting in-person at Tabor 100, with an option to attend virtually. The Subcabinet will be prioritizing workgroups, and for the first time—individuals from the Business Community will be participating as Subcabinet members. We are including the community in decisions involving strategy, direction, and work products of the Subcabinet. Business inclusion is essential for utilizing Pro-Equity, Anti-Racism (PEAR) principles to address equity in state contracting and procurement.

Access Equity - Phase 2 has Begun

Work to onboard Phase 2 agencies to Access Equity has begun, and we are kicking off with the first Change Champion Network meeting on May 31^st.

Six Phase 2 agencies have been added to the Project Steering Committee, and more information will be provided to Phase 2 Access Equity Admins and Change Champions throughout June. OMWBE will be reaching out to Phase 3 agencies to begin their onboarding process soon, so please stay tuned for more information.

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.