|
Public Works Certification Is Coming!
OMWBE is launching a new certification program for small businesses interested in public works contracting. This new certification for Public Works Small Business Enterprises (PWSBE) will be available in 2024. PWSBE certification is race- and gender-neutral, and will rely on the same criteria for economic disadvantage as our State Certification program.
- Own at least 51% of the business and show contribution of capital and expertise.
- Control the managerial and day-to-day operations.
- Have a personal net worth less than $1.32 million, not including a person's primary residence or an applicant business.
- Citizenship or permanent residency is not required for PWSBE certification.
Common examples of public works projects include road construction, roof repair, HVAC upgrades, building, remodeling, or parking meter installation. Stay tuned in the coming months, as we launch PWSBE certification in the first quarter of 2024.
If you are interested in public works contracting, please take action
to claim your FREE Small Works Roster account:
|
|
Look for a reminder email from MRSC Rosters today.
One goal of the PWSBE Certification program, is to connect certified businesses with opportunities available through the statewide Small Works Roster. To prepare for this change, OMWBE has partnered with the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC Rosters) to create FREE accounts for all certified businesses that may benefit from increased statewide visibility as public works contractors.
MRSC is sending out a reminder email at 11:00 AM today, with instructions to activate your FREE Small Works Roster account ($75 /year value).
MRSC Rosters is the only directory that connects businesses with over 650 public agencies and local governments in Washington State. Your new MRSC Rosters membership allows public agencies to directly contact your business with contracting opportunities. Claim your account to boost your visibility today.
|
|
|
The City of Seattle wants to hear from local business owners, like yourself, about your experience doing business with us. We want to know what is working, what barriers you face, what prevents you from pursuing or getting work with the City of Seattle, and what we could do to improve our processes. Our goal is to better support local, minority- and women-owned businesses and improve access to business opportunities. To do this, we need to hear from you.
Working with a third-party consultant, we’ve created a survey: Doing Business with the City. We want to hear your feedback, whether you have done business with the City of Seattle in the past, or not.
- Approx. 5-7 minutes to complete
- Survey responses are anonymous
- Available in English and Spanish, additional languages available by request
- Access the Spanish Version
- Paid focus group and interview options
|
|
AWMB General Membership Monthly Meeting
Join the Association of Women and Minority Businesses (AWMB) for their monthly general membership meeting December 13, 2023.
AWMB is an organization that serves as an accelerator, incubator, and amplifier for women, minority, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) owned small businesses.
Founded on the premise for a more coordinated approach and bridging the gap in serving a wider network of underserved businesses in the contracting community. AWMB board members come from various backgrounds, industries and extensive experience advocating for small, women, and minority-owned businesses throughout their careers and the uniqueness of the common passion and faith in BIPOC small businesses.
Please register on Eventbrite if this is your first time attending or if you are not a member of AWMB.
|
|
The Washington State Department of Transportation Office of Equity and Civil Rights and the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises were recently made aware of a complaint against the USDOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, challenging the use of race and gender-conscious goals in the DBE program. This complaint was made in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, Frankfort Division.
While this complaint did not originate from any Washington State entities, we will be tracking it closely, as it could have national implications, and working together on next steps.
Understandably, there is a lot of concern within the DBE community and community in general regarding this case and its implications for equity in public contracting. We note that this case is outside of our jurisdiction and the court has not yet taken any action on it. Until WSDOT or USDOT is directed otherwise by court order, there will be no change in how we implement the DBE program, including enforceable goals.
|
|
|
|
If you are contractor wanting to know more about public works, this session was created for you. The roundtable session format will allow for you to sit down with each agency to better understand how to do business with them.
The following agencies will be ready to have conversations with contractors interested in learning more about public work.
- Port of Olympia
- Pierce County
- City of Tacoma
- Port of Tacoma & The Northwest Seaport Alliance
- Thurston County
- City of Tumwater
- City of Yelm
- And special agency guest, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)
The following questions below will be answered during the session:
- How do vendors, suppliers, and contractors find upcoming opportunities and active solicitations?
- How do vendors, suppliers, and contractors find forecast information?
- How do I register for the statewide Small Works Roster?
The following resource organizations will also be present to answer questions regarding their agency's services:
- Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) - Small Works Rosters
- Washington APEX Accelerator - Government Contracting
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) - Infrastructure Support
- Office of Women and Minority Business Enterprise (OMWBE) – Small Business Certifications (WBE, MBE, MWBE, CBE, SEDBE, DBE, ACDBE, SBE)
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Small Business Growth Strategies
The goals for this session are to gather resources and information about public works opportunities and meet local public agencies to learn about their public work needs.
Meet the Agencies registration check-In begins at 12:30 pm. Please plan to arrive by no later than 12:45 pm to ensure we start on time.
Event Date: Thursday, November 30
Event Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
LOCATION:
Thurston EDC - TwinStar Community Foundation Event Center
4220 6th Ave SE
Lacey, WA 98382
|
|
It’s open enrollment!
Starting Nov. 1, Washington residents can sign up for health and dental coverage on Washington Healthplanfinder for the 2024 plan year. On Washington Healthplanfinder, employers and their employees can shop, compare, and select a plan that fits their budget and individual health care needs.
Through Washington Healthplanfinder, eligible customers can access federal tax credits and Cascade Care Savings to lower their monthly cost of insurance. Visit wahealthplanfinder.org to learn more about available savings and find the right plan!
New this year! This open enrollment, everyone who lives in Washington state can buy health and dental insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder, regardless of immigration status.
Need Help? Our assisters are available at no-cost to help understand coverage options, find financial assistance, and enroll into coverage!
Share this information with your employees and ensure they have the coverage they need for 2024!
Questions on how you can support your employees sign up for health coverage? Contact smallbusiness@wahbexchange.org.
|
|
|
OMWBE recently had the privilege of meeting with a group of amazing women leaders from Central America and South America through World Affairs Council - Seattle, where we shared information about the agency's programs and learned about the incredible ways these women are shaping and promoting positive change in their countries and communities.
Our team left feeling so inspired and we cannot wait for the opportunity to do it again! A huge thanks to everyone in attendance!
|
|
|
Therese Solomon joins OMWBE with a background in analytics. She worked for Amazon for four years in client facing roles, with her most recent position being an investigation and machine learning data specialist. She recently completed a data analytics fellowship program with Correlation One. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in Communications from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Therese has also lived in Alabama and Arkansas and moved to Kennewick, WA a little over four years ago to be closer to family. She loves traveling, exploring the great outdoors, and tasting different cuisines. She enjoys spending time with her family, learning new recipes, drawing, and listening to music.
Therese is excited to work with like-minded individuals and contribute to OMWBE’s ongoing success in supporting the local community and helping underrepresented businesses thrive.
|
|
|
OMWBE is pleased to welcome Chris Skinner to the team as our new Director of Operations! Chris joins us with a background of 16 years of state service, most recently serving as an operations manager for the Employment Security Department. Chris was born and raised in Gray’s Harbor, Washington, holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Governor’s University, is a certified Luma Institute human center design instructor, a Prosci change management professional, and holds a CompTia project management certification.
In his free time, Chris enjoys traveling, video games, football, Texas BBQ, and restaurants. He is married to his Jr. High sweetheart, Jolene, and they live in Olympia with their miniature schnauzer, Blitz. His son, Lance, is a freshman at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ.
Chris has seen the difficulties faced by his mother, aunts, and grandmothers owning and operating small businesses in Washington and is invested in improving the role and responsibility government takes in eliminating barriers and working to build equitable models and policies in public contracting, procurement, and every other public service delivered. He is excited to use his skills to help small businesses in Washington state thrive and succeed.
|
|
New Certifications
70 businesses obtained OMWBE certification in October! We share these monthly lists of newly certified firms with our contract and procurement contacts at State Agencies and Institutions of Higher Education.
|
|
|
|
|
