Home > Archived: Increase the percentage of contracts with Washington Small Businesses

Archived: Increase the percentage of contracts with Washington Small Businesses

Supplemental Information

November 2016 (Click here)

Why is this a priority?

The Department of Enterprise Services is committed to efficient, effective and accountable government. Transparency is a critical element of accountability. This measure is a priority for Department Enterprise Services and other state agencies to demonstrate how the state’s money is being spent and to positively impact Washington’s economy.

Although Department of Enterprise Services has significantly exceeded the target of 3%, we plan on continuing to further analyze the data to determine the reason for the significant jump in less than one year, compare the dollar amount related to the Washington Small Business contracts, and check/adjust action plan as appropriate.

How are we doing?

From March 2015, there has been over a 360% increase in # of contracts with Washington Small Businesses. As of October 2016, there are 621 contracts with Washington Small Businesses. This means that 33.8% of state contracts are held by Washington Small Businesses. See September 2016 update below for more information.

What are we working on?
  • Target contracts to request Washington Small Business inclusion
  • Rebid of the IT Professional Services contract
  • Consider impacts to Washington economy (small businesses) before participating in a cooperative contract
  • Supplier Diversity training
How can you help?

Continued support of Department of Enterprise Services efforts to promote and encourage Washington Small Businesses to do business with state government.You may find more information on Departments of Enterprise Services small business effort at: http://www.des.wa.gov/services/ContractingPurchasing/Business/BidOpportunities/Pages/SupplierDiversity.aspx

Update: September 2016

Increase of .74% from July 2016 to August 2016 of master contracts awarded to small businesses – continuing an upward trend.

Although we have significantly exceeded the goal(41.67% increase since October 2015), this measure is still meaningful so DES has proposed an extension of the date to be consistent with measure 3.2.a through 12/31/18.

Reflects 32% of all master contracts are with Washington Small Businesses Of the 544 contracts with Washington Small Businesses:

  • 187 OMWBE Certified (88 = WBE, 56 = MBE, 43 =M/WBE)
  • 39 Veteran

The Janitorial and IT Professional Services contracts appear to have significantly impacted the increase in 2016.

New contracting tools have been developed and added to the desk plan to help make contracting decisions that positively impact Washington State small businesses. Developed a list of targeted contracts, which include:

  • Public Safety Radio
  • Native Plants
  • Computer Equipment
  • Flooring Materials & Services
  • Fuel Analysis Service
  • Doors & Frames
  • Intelligent Transportation System Equipment
  • CI Contracts for Clothing and Safety Garments
  • Food Contracts
  • Process Servers
  • Playground Equipment
  • Sign Language Interpreter
  • Information Technology Professional Services
  • Managed Print Services
  • Offsite Drug Testing Services

Reported by: Department of Enterprise Services - http://www.des.wa.gov/