Digging Into Public Works: Public Works Changes You Need To Know About
Have you heard about the changes happening with Public Works starting July 1, 2024?
Join Washington APEX Accelerator for a 1.5 hour webinar to hear from the organizations supporting these changes.
Public Works Upcoming Changes:
The establishment of a Statewide Small Works Roster through the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC)
MRSC is waiving the fee to join the Statewide Small Works Roster for all businesses starting July 1, 2024
Reporting usage of Small Works Roster (all bids received and awarded)
Public Works Small Business Enterprise certification (PWSBE) through the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE)
When 6 or more PWSBE certified businesses are in the agencies roster category, they are considered first
Direct Contracting for projects under $150,000
All contractors are notified in the agencies roster category for projects of $150,000 - $350,000
Apprentice Utilization Plans for projects over 2 million
This webinar will unpack these changes and walk you through joining and using MRSC’s Small Works Roster. OMWBE staff will be available to answer questions.
OMWBE is launching a new program for businesses seeking work on public works contracts. Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) certification will be available in March 2024. This program is race- and gender-neutral, and will use the same criteria for economic disadvantage as our State Certification program.
Alliance Northwest is the largest business-to-government conference in the Pacific Northwest. This event features high-quality workshops and one-to-one meetings between small businesses, government agencies, and prime contractors. The event is in its 38th year. Hosted by Thurston Economic Development Council, home of APEX Accelerator, Alliance Northwest has a strong history of federal agency support. It is widely known as the place where business and government learn and make connections with small and disadvantaged businesses.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Businesses interested in selling to the government and prime contractors.
R&D firms, engineering firms, and others working on new innovative technologies.
Prime contractors and government buyers seeking to do outreach to small and diverse businesses.
Come say hello to the OMWBE team who will be answering questions about certification!
We are providing 50% off Alliance Northwest registration for businesses that are certified with OMWBE. See our email sent on Thursday, Feb. 8th for details.
OMWBE Certifications - Why they're important and how to obtain them
Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) and Washington APEX Accelerator Advising are presenting a workshop on certification as part of their series Preparing for Public Projects w/The Interstate Bridge with OMWBE's Small Business Development Manager Elia Mendoza instructing.
This class will focus on all things you need to know about certifications with the Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE), the official certifying agency for Washington state businesses. You will learn:
The importance of certification
Specific eligibility requirements
How to get started with the certification process for both state and federal
State Certifications (MBE, WBE, MWBE, CBE, SEDBE)
Federal Certifications for US Department of Transportation (DBE, SBE, ACDBE)
How to ensure a smooth application process
About the new Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) Certification
This will be an online 1 hour presentation with 30 minutes available for Q&A
When: February 20, 2024 | 3:30PM - 5:00PM Where: Virtual - a zoom link will be sent upon registration. Contact:juliak@credc.org
E-Contractor Academy is a seven-week training program where small, WMDBE contractors learn to perform energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofit projects. The program typically involves a collaboration between a local or regional government entity and a local financial institution.
Participating contractors learn about the regulatory and technical demands of green infrastructure projects. They also learn to bid and manage large-scale projects that include labor and community workforce standards typical of government, schools, hospitals and other institutions. Training is tailored to specific projects and is also applicable to large-scale green infrastructure projects.
The E-Contractor Academy includes a strategic, comprehensive business support program to ensure that small and minority firms are in the forefront of the emerging green building/construction industry. Specific support services include:
Procurement assistance
Training/technical assistance and mentoring in the energy efficiency/renewable sector
Monitoring and compliance
Affiliation with the building and construction trade unions
Affiliation with the building and construction trade unions
Corporate Transparency Act – Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) went into effect on January 1, 2024, impacting millions of small businesses across the U.S.
Effective as of January 1, 2024. Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are required to submit Beneficial Ownership Information Reports.
If a reporting company already exists as of January 1, 2024, it must file its initial BOIR by January 1, 2025.
If a reporting company is created or registered to do business in the United States on or after January 1, 2024, and before January 1, 2025, it must file its initial BOIR within 90 days after receiving actual or public notice that its creation or registration is effective.
If a reporting company is created or registered to do business in the UnitedStates after January 1, 2025, then it must file its initial BOIR within 30 days after receiving actual or public notice that its creation or registration is effective.
A King County executive order for pro-equity contracting aims to improve equity in contracting. King County is taking steps to make it easier for Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) to contract with the county. This open house event introduces King County's pro-equity contracting programs and initiatives related to architecture, engineering, and construction contracting for capital projects.
The event is hosted by various departments, including the King County Executive Climate Office (Green Jobs program), the Department of Executive Services (Business Development & Contract Compliance office), the Metro Transit Department, the Wastewater Treatment Division (Capital Training program), and the Solid Waste Division (Green Tools program).
By attending this event, you will have the opportunity to learn about contracting with King County and meet Prime contractors, King County Capital Project Managers, and local M/ WBEs. You will also hear success stories from local small and medium M/WBEs and learn about grant opportunities.
Join us to:
Sign up and get notified about work opportunities at King County. King County staff will help attendees sign up at both the online and in-person events.
Meet Prime contractors, King County Capital Project Managers, and local M/WBEs.
New statewide contract available for ADA-compliant vehicles
DES has new statewide contract 07621 for ADA-compliant vans, minivans and specialty vehicles.
This contract succeeds contract 01617, which expired on June 30, 2022. It has vendors in three categories, each with eight subcategories of walk-in step vans:
Schetky Northwest Sales, Inc.
Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, Inc.
Northwest Bus Sales, Inc., a certified Washington small business.
Find contractors, including pricing and points of contact, on the contract summary page.
Department of Enterprise Services has posted the RFP for solicitation 15722 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair to WEBS. There are four categories in this solicitation:
Maintenance for Internal Combustion Engine
Repair for Internal Combustion Engine
Body Repair for Internal Combustion Engine
Maintenance and Repair for Electric Vehicles
Businesses must be registered in WEBS to view and bid on the solicitation. When you log in, search for solicitation 15722. Bids are due Feb. 29.
Tennille Johnson joins OMWBE as our Director of Business Diversity and Inclusion with a background in many different industries and sectors including healthcare, retail and sales, banking and taxes, landscape and design, business start-ups, and more. She found her passion in workforce development, working with marginalized communities where re-entry was the focus. She is an EDI focused leader who understands the need for all voices at the table, in order for us to embrace the richness of the people and resources in Washington state, and to provide equitable and diverse products and services.
Born in Europa, Mississippi, Tennille grew up in Tacoma, Washington where she watched the power of cultural diversity change and grow communities. She is passionate about continuous self-growth and development and enjoys spending time with her 19-year-old son and nieces and nephews. She likes cooking, shoes, sports, and loves to travel.
Tennille is very excited to be a part of an organization that truly matches all her core values, her empathy and love for people, and where she can help forge paths of opportunity for others.
OMWBE Welcomes Kimber Starr!
Kimber Starr is ecstatic to join OMWBE as our new Subcabinet Manager. With a background as Director of Outreach for Congresswoman Strickland, Kimber has experience leading various sectors in securing infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding, ensuring equitable opportunities for Minority Contractors. She initiated efforts to reform the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises certification processes for First Nations' economic development corporations, reflecting her commitment to inclusive policymaking. She earned a Master of Public Administration from The Daniel J. Evans School Of Public Policy & Governance at University Of Washington, which enriched and built upon her practical experiences of collaborative governance, organizational redesign, collaborative policy development and implementation.
Kimber is a Citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and a descendant of Muscogee Creek of Oklahoma. Her given name in Cherokee is ᎠᎾᎦᎵᏍᎬ ᏃᏈᏏ (phonetically pronounced A-na-ga-li-s-gv No-qui-si) which translates as “Lighting Star.” She was born and raised on the Cherokee Nation and Muskogee Creek nation reservations in what is also known as Tulsa OK and came to Washington state on vacation a few weeks before 9/11 where she fell in love with this state and decided to make her home here. As a former sous chef, Kimber enjoys cooking for her family, as well as caring for her house plants, home improvement projects, camping, hiking, SUP, and beach combing.
The vision of OMWBE resonates deeply with Kimber’s belief in the transformative power of equitable access and opportunity in business policy practices. She is eager to contribute her skills and passion to advance OMWBE's mission, working towards a more inclusive and prosperous economic landscape for all.
Black History Month Events
Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage and contributions that are an enduring part of our country's history. This year’s theme is “African Americans and the Arts”. Washington state is celebrating with many events throughout the state. Here are a few to explore:
Books on Tap | Tacoma, WA | February 27 | 7PM – 8PM A reading in honor of Black History Month – Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
New Certifications
112 businesses obtained OMWBE certification in January! We share these monthly lists of newly certified firms with our contract and procurement contacts at State Agencies and Institutions of Higher Education.
