WSDOT is committed to increasing opportunities available to you, the small business owner. Check out the resources below to find contracting and purchasing opportunities with WSDOT and other state agencies.

How does WSDOT support small businesses?
In recognition of Governor Gregoire’s statement of the need for additional focus on small businesses, WSDOT is committed to ensuring all small businesses are afforded the same opportunities and assistance.

Small Works Roster
A “bidders list” containing projects of less than $200,000 – the type of projects small businesses are better able to compete for.

On-Call Roster
A statewide On-Call Roster for professional service (architect, engineer, surveying, etc.) contracts, which range in size from $5,000 to $20 million, allowing small businesses to participate in these opportunities.

Also view the 2009 Stimulus Package page that includes information on plans at the state and federal level to give Washington a boost to its economy.

Why should I work with WSDOT?
As a small business owner there are many opportunities available within WSDOT, whether as a consultant, subconsultant, prime or subcontractor. As a small business owner, starting out as a subcontractor or subconsultant may not be ideal. However, as your firm develops more capacity, capital and experience, you can become a profitable prime contractor or consultant in the future.

What opportunities really exist for small businesses?
WSDOT has many different divisions in which opportunities exist for small businesses:

• Ad and Award Office – Publishes the Weekly Notice to Contractors – with construction contracts that are coming up for bid in the near future. They also maintain the Plan Holders List - with contact information for every Prequalified Prime Contractor.

• Consulting Services Office - Advertises professional services contracts and maintains the On-Call Roster mentioned above.

• Washington State Ferries - Has opportunities for vessel improvements, large equipment purchases, and concession contracts.

• Purchasing and Materials Management Office - Purchases supplies and materials for most of WSDOT. We recommend that if you wish to sell your product to WSDOT that you contact the Purchasing Officer nearest you.

• Administrative Services Contracts Office –Information Technology contracts and purchases.

• New Products - Have a new product to sell? The State Materials Laboratory has a New Products Coordinator available to assist you.

Does WSDOT do all its own Contracting and Purchasing?
No, WSDOT manages highway-related contracts and procurements. Two other state agencies, the Department of General Administration (GA), who is the state’s business agent, and the Department of Information Systems (DIS) Tech Mall manage large contracts on behalf of other state agencies.

For information on General Administration services visit:

• Purchasing and Contracts

• Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS). An internet based notification system for soliciting bids, requests for information, requests for proposals, etc.

As a minority, woman or veteran, what benefits do I have in working with WSDOT?
WSDOT works to see that all small businesses owned by minorities, women, certified disadvantaged, and veteran-owned businesses have full and fair access to its contracting and purchasing opportunities.

WSDOT uses three different certification programs (Note: Self-identification is not used by WSDOT or other state agencies):

• Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), for socially and economically disadvantaged business owners. Visit the Office of Equal Opportunity DMWBE Program's website for more information on how this program is administered within WSDOT. For detailed information on DBE certification, visit OMWBE's website.

• State Minority/Women’s Business Enterprises (M/WBE). This program is administered by the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE).

• State Veteran’s Business Enterprises (VBE), which is administered by the Washington State Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

The DBE program operates on federally assisted projects and is different from the M/WBE and VBE programs in that the individual project DBE goals are not aspirational. WSDOT is required by federal regulations, as a condition for receiving federal funds, to set an overall annual DBE goal and utilize specific measures to achieve this goal. WSDOT does this by setting “condition of award” DBE contract goals on projects with federal funding.

The M/WBE and VBE programs are voluntary; that is, the individual contract goals that the State sets for using these firms are not mandatory. However, the State’s outreach and technical assistance to utilize these firms is required.

What other resources and other organizations are available to assist my firm?

• WSDOT Office of Equal Opportunity is for fostering equal opportunity in procurement, contracting and service delivery through the administration of various equal opportunity programs.

• The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises:
  Provides the only MBE, WBE and DBE certifications recognized by state agencies.

• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Support Services (DBESS). This program is available to certified highway related DBEs interested in bidding on WSDOT projects. DBESS provides various business assistance services to contractors, from Take-Offs to Business Plan development and availability of free WSDOT project plans.

• Linked Deposit Program, a loan discount program for certified M/WBEs and VBEs.

• Governor's Supplier Diversity Directive. Through this program and other efforts, OMWBE has developed the State of Washington Small Business Liaisons to assist business owners, and others with various state programs.

• Seattle Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle - Contractor Development & Competitiveness Center (CDCC) assisting African Americans, other people of color, and disadvantaged individuals in becoming self-sufficient through public advocacy, services and strong business and community partnerships. Under a contract with WSDOT, CDCC provides free DBE Support Services to all highway related DBEs, regardless of race or gender.

• Small Business Administration. The SBA has various programs in place to help your small business start, grow and succeed. They achieve this, in part, through statewide Small Business Development Centers, the Service Core of Retired Executives and Women’s Business Centers.

• Seattle Public Schools Regional Small Business Development Program offers training helping small business owners and their employees develop the knowledge, skills, and capabilities necessary to compete successfully for government contracts. Certified highway related DBEs receive free services.

• Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) offers free assistance to small and disadvantaged companies preparing to compete for transportation-related prime and subcontracts.
  

Where is basic information about starting a business in Washington State?
The State of Washington maintains the Business Portal, a central website which contains information on:

• Starting a Business
• How to get licensed
• Grants and Loans
• Doing Business with the State
• Resources Available to Businesses