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Summer Certification Series
City of Kirkland & OMWBE
Learn how you can be awarded contracts from the City of Kirkland in:
- Construction
- Consulting (Administrative, City Planning, Financial, etc.)
- Engineering and Architect
- Subcontracting
- Many More Opportunities!
When: July 19, 2023
Where: Kirkland City Hall 123 5th Avenue, Kirkland WA 98033
The City of Kirkland is committed to creating a procurement environment in which underrepresented business owners are afforded equitable opportunities for business partnerships with the City to create the opportunity to leverage City spending to increase utilization of such businesses.
OMWBE will be on-site to help businesses start their applications to get certified.
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OMWBE is invested in connecting certified businesses with contracting opportunities. We encourage public agencies to conduct direct outreach to certified businesses using our Certified Business Directory whenever a competitive solicitation is being made. You may receive these emails through our system, coming from our OMWBE@diversitycompliance.com email address.
The Department of Enterprise Services' (DES) reinforces this proactive step as a requirement in their new Supplier Diversity Policy that guides state agencies.
Here are a few steps you can take today to improve your visibility.
1. Check your public business description and NAICS codes.
When purchasers use our directory, they rely on the Business Description and industry NAICS codes to find businesses that meet their contracting and purchasing needs. If your information is not comprehensive or outdated, it could prevent you from learning about bidding opportunities in your areas of expertise. Follow these steps to update your information with OMWBE:
- Log in to Access Equity and choose Renew/Apply for Certification
- Select "Your firm is currently certified with OMWBE."
- Select "Your firm is seeking to update your business information."
- Select "Your firm is seeking to report updates to your ownership, business structure, business description and/or NAICS codes."
- Make sure your business description and NAICS codes are up to date and cover every product or service that your business provides.
2. Register in WEBS and self-identify as a small business.
Washington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) is the system used by state agencies and educational institutions to post their solicitations in Washington State. All OMWBE certified businesses are small, and if you self-identify as a small business when you register in WEBS, you may receive additional points on bidding opportunities under $150,000 for being a small business. These points are reserved for Small and Veteran-owned businesses, so do not miss out on the opportunity to stand out where public agencies are looking for new vendors to fulfil their needs.
3. Consider bidding on Statewide Contracts.
Businesses that win statewide contracts are visible to agencies whenever they have a project that falls under a specialty that is covered by a statewide contract. There are currently 177 total active statewide contracts, and 62 that include small, minority-, women-, or veteran-owned businesses. Securing a statewide contract is a huge achievement, because it can lead to many more contracting opportunities. Keep an eye out for new or renewing statewide contracts on the DES website, and the Contracts Connection Newsletter.
We hope the information above is helpful to you, and sets your business up for success pursuing contracting opportunities with Washington State agencies.
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Are you an inclusive employer? Do you value access and opportunity for people with disabilities? Do you know someone who does? Nominations are now open for 2023 Governor's Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE) Employer Awards. Nominations are due by Friday, July 28, 2023.
For nomination instructions and information about the nomination process, check out the 2023 GCDE Employer Awards Nomination packet.
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Access to Capital Workshop with JP Morgan Chase and McKinstry
Join McKinstry to hear from subject matter experts from JP Morgan Chase as they seek to provide MWDBEs with an Access to Capital Workshop! The workshop will cover topics like credit health, cash flow and credit options, and more.
Shelia Winston is a native Washingtonian who believes in going the extra mile to assist others. She has been with Chase Bank for over 11 years and has 23 years of experience in the financial service industry.
Throughout her career Shelia has held leadership positions in Commercial Banking, Business Banking and Branch Management. Most recently as a Minority Business Consultant she has done presentations for entrepreneurs in the Seattle and Tacoma Community. Shelia has also recently been featured in the Seattle Medium newspaper for Chase Bank Business Articles and Podcasts.
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Rocky Fong is a Community Manager in Seattle, WA for Community & Business Development. He is a local ambassador for Chase whose job is to build and nurture relationships with key community leaders, nonprofit partners and small businesses at the neighborhood level. He is helping to advance racial equity by supporting Black and Latinx communities with tools and resources to help them improve their financial wellbeing.
With over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, Rocky has held a number of positions including Wholesale Banking Credit Team Lead, Region Small Business Team Lead, Branch Manager, District Manager of Strategic Partnership, and Senior Credit Manager. Prior to this role, Rocky served as Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at U.S. Bank.
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The Port of Seattle (“Port”) is conducting a disparity study for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) Program and Diversity in Contracting Program. The Port seeks to ensure that DBEs and other businesses owned by minorities or women have equal access to contracting opportunities and that the Port’s current initiatives remain legally defensible and administratively successful.
This webinar will introduce the study team, present the study elements and methodology, describe the study process, and outline how stakeholders and business owners can participate.
When: Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM
Study Website: portofseattle.disparity-study.com
Consultant Conducting the study:
Colette Holt & Associates, Inc
portofseattle-study@mwbelaw.com
(855) 692-3529
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OMWBE's Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2022 has been published on our website. The annual report includes an overview of certified businesses, statewide spending data from fiscal year 2022, a message from OMWBE Director Lekha Fernandes, and updates from the Certification, Audit & Review, and Supplier Diversity Teams.
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New Certifications
92 businesses obtained OMWBE certification in June! We share these monthly lists of newly certified firms with our contract and procurement contacts at State Agencies and Institutions of Higher Education.
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