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How to access more public works contracts:
Step 1: Opt-in for PWSBE Certification
Many businesses are opting-in for Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) certification. If you are already certified with OMWBE, it only takes a few steps and a brief processing time to add this new certification to your credentials!
Step 2: Join the Statewide Small Works Roster
In order to take full advantage of your new PWSBE Certification, you must also join the Statewide Small Works Roster with the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC Rosters). State agencies and local governments use this roster to find small businesses to fulfil their contracting needs.
Step 3: Consult with APEX Accelerator for free
Washington APEX Accelerator offers no cost assistance to businesses who wish to navigate government contracting. APEX can help your business develop a Capability Statement and prepare to bid on state contracts.
Did you know?
New rules governing how state agencies use small works rosters went into effect on July 1, 2024. These rules are intended to create more equitable contracting opportunities for small businesses.
What changed?
- State agencies and local governments are encouraged to direct contract with PWSBE certified businesses for small public works projects under $150,000
- If six or more PWSBE certified businesses are registered on the Statewide Small Works Roster in an applicable geographic area, state agencies or local governments must direct contract with one of these small businesses
PWSBE Certification is a race- and gender-neutral program for economically disadvantaged small businesses. This program is designed to ensure all eligible small businesses go through the same certification process as minority and women business owners.
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Cultural Agility Workshop: Shifting Perspective and Adapting Behavior
Level Up Your Business:
This workshop cracks the code on cultural agility, your secret weapon for thriving in today's diverse marketplace. Unlock hidden opportunities and supercharge your success by confidently navigating different cultural landscapes.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Monocultural and Multicultural Perspectives
- Intent vs. Impact
- Power over vs. Power with
- Implicit and Explicit Assumed Expectations
- Develop Strategies in Diverse Business Settings
Unlocking Innovation: Leveraging Diversity in Your Organization
Elevate Your Business Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
This workshop equips you with the tools to build a more inclusive and high-performing workforce. Learn how to foster innovation, attract top talent, and increase profitability by leveraging the power of diversity.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand diversity and equity principles and their application
- Unlock innovation and increased performance through DEI alignment
- Identify critical skill sets for growing DEI practice
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing learning environment
Inclusive Team Building: Focusing on Equity in the Workplace
Empower Your Workforce & Drive Innovation:
This workshop equips you with the tools to build a self-sustaining equity team within your organization. Learn from experts on building a sustainable DEI culture, mastering leadership styles, and unlocking the full potential of your team. Invest in your greatest asset – your people –and watch your business thrive.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Discover the Four Archetypes of Equity Leaders
- Power dynamics and develop strategies to overcome them
- Develop skills in bridging individual knowledge to effective learning opportunities
- Apply the skills of equity leadership
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Through its micro-grants and mentorship program, Giving Joy helps women establish or improve their businesses and initiatives—for their benefit and the benefit of their communities Giving Joy grants are one-time micro-grants, up to $500 USD, available to women aged 18 and up worldwide. You can use the grant to start a new business, or expand your existing business. Applications are due by July 31, 2024. Anticipated award date is set for beginning of 2025.
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Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Come and hear from each Agency's Small & Disadvantaged Business Program Managers on how (certified and non-certified) small businesses do business with each agency.
- Learn how to do business with each agency
- Hear about upcoming opportunities
- Network with decision-makers and potential business partners
- Understand certification benefits and processes from the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE)
When: July 31, 2024 | 1PM - 4PM
Where: Northwest African American Museum - 2300 S. Massachusetts Street, Seattle, WA
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 New funding opportunities are opening up for small businesses! Local Workforce Boards are partnering with the Department of Commerce and the Employment Security Department (ESD) to create micro-grants of up to $10,000 – $15,000.
Small businesses are eligible to apply, with funding prioritized for Black, Latine, and Indigenous-owned businesses to address systemic barriers and promote diversity.
Excited to learn how you can benefit from these programs? Contact your local workforce development board for more information. Grant funding and program details may differ by region, and high demand is expected.
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Washington Regional Contracting Forum
Washington's Regional Contracting Forum is celebrating 21 years of collaboration and leadership among the Puget Sound Region government entities.
This forum is an opportunity for small businesses, minority, women, disadvantaged and veteran-owned businesses to meet purchasers at all levels of state and local government, including school districts, transportation agencies, Tribal governments and other organizations.
Introduce your business to the largest government entities:
- City of Seattle
- Washington Department of Transportation
- Sound Transit
- City of Tacoma
- King County
- University of Washington
- Washington State Office of Minorities and Women’s Business Enterprises
- Washington State Department of Enterprise Services
- Port of Seattle
- City of Bellevue
- Department of Enterprise Services and others
When: September 12, 2024 | 8AM - 3PM
Where: Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, Seattle Center 321 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA
Registration is open!
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The Department of Enterprise Services is excited to announce their first-ever Washington Procurement Connect (WPC) conference. This year’s theme is Strengthening Your Business, with a special focus on small businesses. Registration is open now and free for all attendees.
When: 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024
Where: Greater Tacoma Convention Center
At this all-day conference, small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses will have access to educational opportunities, keynote speakers and breakout sessions designed to:
- Strengthen their businesses
- Develop relationships
- Learn how they can do business with the State of Washington
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with procurement professionals from state and local governments, including counties, cities, schools, ports, commissions, and more.
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If you are interested in doing business with the state, here are some future contracts to check out:
- Illumination Transportation and Traffic Systems
- Commodity codes: 920-32, 936-49, 550-90, 550-80, 550-82
- ITPS Information & Cyber Security
- Commodity codes: 920-02, 920-20, 920-24, 920-21, 920-22
- Security Guard Services
- Commodity codes: 990-25, 990-46, 990-67, 990-78, 990-80
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This event has been rescheduled for August 14, 2024.
Unlock the potential of your minority or women-owned business with our comprehensive workshop on OMWBE Certification! This event is designed to guide you through the certification process, opening doors to lucrative government contracts and other business opportunities.
Join OMWBE and AHANA - Multi-Ethnic Business Association to learn:
- The benefits of certification for minority and women-owned businesses
- Step-by-step guidance on the certification process
- Resources and support available to certified businesses
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your business’s potential and connect with a network of supportive professionals.
When: August 14 | 3PM - 5PM
Where: 327 E Pacific Ave, Spokane, WA 99202
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We are happy to announce that our Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2023 is available! See highlights below and visit our website to view the full report.
FY 2023 Annual Report Highlights:
- 3,250 businesses certified with OMWBE at the end of FY 2023.
- 2,685 businesses held OMWBE State Certification, and 1,598 businesses held OMWBE Federal Certification. Businesses can be dual-certified.
- Certification analysts supported small and diverse businesses by responding to 4,925 certification related questions.
- 205 businesses held 295 loans in the Linked Deposit Program at the end of FY 2023 worth a combined total value of $101,446,385.
- Agencies and institutions of higher education spent a combined $253,548,662 with OMWBE Certified Businesses, representing 3.21% of total eligible state spending.
- Combined spending rose from 2.96% in FY 2022 to 3.21% in FY 2023. State agencies achieved 4.86%, and institutions of higher education 0.71%.
- Fully launched the enterprise reporting tool, Access Equity, in February 2024.
- Welcomed six certified minority and women business owners to participate as voting members of the Governor’s Subcabinet on Business Diversity.
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New Certifications
72 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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