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Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) Certification is launching in March. This program helps small businesses seeking work on public works contracts. PWSBE Certification uses the same criteria for economic disadvantage as OMWBE’s State Certification program, and is available to any qualifying small business.
An opt-in option will be available to currently certified businesses.
"Public Works" refers to all work, construction, alteration, repair, or improvement paid for by state and local governments, public universities, and other public organizations. Public works projects include road construction, roof repair, HVAC upgrades, building remodeling, or parking meter installation.
What can your business do to get ready?
- Review eligibility requirements with OMWBE
- Gather the necessary documents to apply
- Sign up to receive a PWSBE launch notification
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2nd Annual NW Contractor's Day
Our partners at the Association of Women and Minority Businesses (AWMB) are hosting the 2nd Annual Northwest Region Contractor's Day! The first part of the event from 8:30am - 12:00pm is free for all to attend. The latter half, which includes Lunch + Plenary Session is offered to certified businesses at a reduced rate of $75 per ticket ($125 value). This ticket option includes access to the Trade Show.
When: March 28th, 2024 | 8AM - 3:30PM
Where: Emerald Queen Hotel & Event Center, Tacoma, WA
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$16 Million Available for Tribal Clean Energy Projects
Washington State Department of Commerce is accepting applications to support the planning, design, and construction of clean energy projects that promote tribal sovereignty, advance resiliency, and contribute to Washington’s decarbonization goals.
There will be three rounds of funding, with the first round being exclusively available for federally recognized tribes and their contracted service providers. Applications for the first round are due at noon Pacific Time on March 29.
While tribes are eligible for all funding rounds, tribal applicants are highly encouraged to apply under the Tribal Clean Energy Grants round, which will provide access to exclusive funding and is tailored for tribal applicants.
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If you are a prime contractor or certified DBE/MSVWBE in Construction, Architecture & Engineering, and Professional Services, or want to learn about Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, this training is for YOU!
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South Central Region - REGISTER HERE
Thursday March 28, 2024 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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Olympic Region - REGISTER HERE
Thursday April 4, 2024 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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North Central Region - REGISTER HERE
Thursday April 11, 2024 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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Northwest Region - REGISTER HERE
Tuesday April 16, 2024 9:00 AM 1:00 PM
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Eastern Region - REGISTER HERE
Thursday April 18, 2024 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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Southwest Region - REGISTER HERE
Tuesday April 30, 2024 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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Flatiron Construction seeks accredited Veteran, MBE, WBE, DBE and SBE subcontractors and suppliers in the Greater Seattle area to join the Flatiron team for this upcoming project. Learn more about Flatiron, this King County wastewater treatment facility project and specific scopes of available work at this webinar.
When: Monday, March 25 | 11AM - Noon
RSVP Deadline: Friday, March 22
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Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) is holding the first annual Washington Procurement Connect in Fall 2024. This year’s theme is Strengthening Your Business.
The goal of the conference is to connect Washington state small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses with the public agencies’ procurement professionals. We are asking for your help to shape the sessions that will give you the most value for your time.
Please share your suggestions in this short survey by April 1.
Subscribe to updates about Washington Procurement Connect.
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Michael Sapp joins OMWBE as a U.S. Army Veteran with 20 years of service and a background as an Operations Manager and Equal Opportunity Leader. He has served as both a Preventive Medicine Specialist and a Contract Specialist and holds a B.S. in Information Technology, as well as an M.B.A.
He is deeply passionate about small businesses, recognizing them as the fundamental building blocks of our economic system. He is also passionate about the success of his team. Michael enjoys collaborating with others on a common goal and witnessing the fruits of their labor. He’s excited about the mission of OMWBE and eager to contribute to it.
Originally from Brunswick, GA, Michael spent a significant part of his childhood in Germany as the son of a career Soldier. He has most recently lived in Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, but has also resided in Texas, Maryland, Korea, Colorado, and North Carolina.
Michael likes to spend his free time with his family and finds joy in mountain biking and exploring the wonders of nature. He loves traveling and trying new foods in foreign lands.
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OMWBE is pleased to welcome Shyla to the team as a Records Specialist. Shyla was born in El Paso, Texas and grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska. She moved to Washington state in 2011 and knew this would be her new home. Since moving to Washington, she’s had many opportunities to work with various forms and records in several industries. Each working opportunity gave her a chance to connect with customers in her community and those opportunities gave her some amazing experiences to learn what the public desires when it comes to transparency in State government.
In her free time, she loves to cook and try new recipes or ideas. She is the mother of a handsome little boy, and she loves to be out with the family, staying active in any way possible from bouncy houses, to relaxing by the water, going to the zoo, or even playing volleyball. Shyla joined OMWBE because she wanted to make changes and help open more opportunities to people who need them. She is excited for the many chances she will have to help the community.
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March is Women’s History Month and the 2024 theme is “Women who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion” honoring women in communities and organizations who advocate to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions. Some examples are authors such as Tony Morrison, bell hooks, and Isabel Wilkerson, organizers and activists such as Malala Yousafzai and Rosa Parks, educators like Mary McLeod Bethune, and scientists like Hayat Sindi, just to name a few, who have torn down race and gender barriers and opened doors for other women to follow in their footsteps.
This is a time to reflect upon and celebrate women who’ve impacted our lives, with our thoughts, words, and actions. Who will you honor this month and throughout the year?
OMWBE Celebrates International Women's Day 2024
 International Women's Day was March 8th, and our team at OMWBE celebrated with our continued commitment to opening doors and breaking down barriers for women in business every day of the year!
How can you help inspire inclusion with us?
- Shop at a local woman-owned small business
- Support women entrepreneurs by sharing their social media
- Encourage women-owned businesses to get certified
Learn more about making a positive difference in the lives of women everywhere by visiting https://www.internationalwomensday.com
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New Certifications
101 businesses obtained OMWBE certification in February! 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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