Successful small businesses strengthen communities and are essential to a robust and high functioning economy. Using small businesses in state contracting brings innovation to the state.

The rulemaking is limited in scope. The purpose is to expand Title 200 WAC to:

• Establish a clear process to verify that benefits are going to small businesses as intended, including a standard compliance process.
• Make sure in-state businesses have increased opportunities for contracts under statewide procurement policies.
• Support existing strategies encouraged by the statewide Supplier Diversity Policy — such as preference points and reserved awards — to boost use of Washington small business.
  • DES uses a point system when evaluating vendor solicitations. Preference points can be added for being a small business or meeting other procurement priorities listed in the solicitation.
  • Reserved awards are contracts set aside for small/Veteran-owned businesses under a multiple-award competitive solicitation.
• Enhance reporting on small business use in state contracting.

An in-state business is a small business under state law if they meet any one the following:

• Have 50 or fewer employees.
• Have annual gross revenue of less than $7 million.
• Are certified by the Office of Women and Minority Business Enterprises.

Rulemaking steps

• Develop rules and invite public participation from anyone who is interested. DES will provide a discussion outline as a starting point.
• Seek public comment on proposed rules.
• Adopt rules.
• Share a summary of all comments and how DES considered public comments in the final rule.
• File permanent rules with the Office of the Code Reviser.

Related policies

• Direct buy
• Supplier diversity