Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) status will be granted to all OMWBE state certified businesses.
What exactly is changing?
As of October 25, 2024, all OMWBE state certified businesses have been given Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) certification. If you are already certified as a PWSBE, this will not affect your certification status. If your business has another OMWBE state certification, you automatically qualify for PWSBE status.
How will this benefit me?
For small public works contracts under $150,000, new state law allows public agencies to direct contract with small businesses, using “rotation” principles to avoid repeatedly favoring one contractor over others. If there are six or more PWSBE certified businesses on the new statewide small works roster, the state agency or local government must select an OMWBE certified business for the small works project. If you receive an Invitation to Direct Contract/Negotiate, this means that your business is the only one receiving the current invitation.
The more OMWBE certified businesses listed on MRSC’s statewide small works roster, the more small business owners will get job opportunities.
What if I am not a 'public works' contractor?
If your business is not engaged in public works contracts, such as construction, alteration, or repair of publicly-owned brick and mortar buildings—that's okay.
PWSBE certification is also used to verify which businesses are small businesses. As a race- and gender-neutral certification, any small business can apply. PWSBEs must be small businesses, but owners are not required to be a member of a minority group or a woman to be eligible for certification. This ensures every small business goes through the same certification process as M/WBEs.
Do I need to take action?
State certified businesses do not need to take action. Our team has implemented this change on your behalf, and your PWSBE status is now active.
If you are federally certified with OMWBE as a DBE or SBE, you can apply now to become a state certified business by filling out a short form application.
Where do my PWSBE or SBE certifications appear in the directory?
PWSBE state certification is similar to Small Business Enterprise (SBE) federal certification with OMWBE. Both SBE and PWSBE certifications are race- and gender-neutral, and can be held along with other state or federal certifications.
To view your SBE or PWSBE status in our Certified Business Directory, simply search for your business and view the hyperlinked certification type in the "Certification" column of the search window. Scroll down to the "Additional Information" section on your Certified Profile, and you will see your SBE or PWSBE designation.
State agencies and local governments can view all businesses with PWSBE certification by using the "Search by Reference" function on the directory search.
MRSC Rosters offers several benefits:
In order to be considered for direct Small Works contracts, you must join the statewide small works roster. This is the primary benefit of PWSBE Certification. All PWSBE certified businesses can join the following rosters, free of charge.
The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) manages three different rosters on behalf of Washington state local governments and state agencies.
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Statewide Small Works Roster - Construction, building, renovation, remodeling, alteration, repair or improvement of real property as referenced in RCW 39.04.152.
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Consultant Roster - Architecture, engineering, and surveying services as referenced in Ch. 39.80 RCW, as well as other professional services such as design, planning, management, real estate, financial, legal, communications, environmental, IT, and personnel, consulting.
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Vendor Roster - Product sales, equipment repair, vehicle maintenance, garbage collection, and other purchased services as referenced in RCW 39.04.190.
Please note - only the statewide small works roster provides direct contracting benefits to PWSBE certified businesses. You may join the Consultant or Vendor rosters for free, if they are more applicable to your business.
Still have questions? Call OMWBE at (360)-664-9750 or email technicalassistance@omwbe.wa.gov
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