Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE)

Background

The Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) is the sole agency responsible for certifying minority- and women-owned business enterprises to participate in public contracting and procurement within Washington State. Established to promote equity and inclusion, OMWBE aims to eliminate systemic barriers and foster economic growth by supporting small businesses owned by minorities, women, and other under-represented communities.

Mission: To create and implement programs that provide maximum opportunity for participation of businesses owned by minorities, women, and other under-represented communities in public contracting.

Vision: Dedicated to eliminating systemic and institutional oppression in contracting, driving innovation, strengthening, and diversifying overall statewide economic growth, and empowering public entities to recognize and embrace the value of minority, women, and other under-represented communities’ owned businesses.

Values: OMWBE operates on principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing and respecting differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, ability, religion, region, veteran status, citizenship status, and nationality.

Key Strategic Focus

OMWBE's strategic focus encompasses:

Certification Programs: Offering both federal and state certifications to enhance contracting opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses with state and local governments.

Business Support Services: Providing education, outreach, and technical assistance to build capacity and develop marketing strategies for certified firms.

Supplier Diversity Initiatives: Collaborating with the Governor’s Subcabinet on Business Diversity, state agencies, and institutions of higher education to instill equitable and inclusive purchasing practices.

Financials and Funding

OMWBE operates with a biennial budget allocated from various state funds:

2023-25 Biennium: Total appropriated funds of $21,909,000, with expenditures of $9,283,704 in 2021-23 and estimated expenditures of $20,882,000 in 2023-25.

2025-27 Biennium: Proposed budget of $20,441,000, reflecting a decrease of $441,000 (2.1%) from the current biennium.

Pipeline Development

OMWBE's initiatives include:

Certification Programs: Certifying small businesses owned and controlled by minorities, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to increase contracting opportunities with state and local governments.

Linked Deposit Program: Enabling certified businesses to access reduced interest rates on small business loans, thereby enhancing financial capacity.

Technological Platform and Innovation

OMWBE leverages several technological platforms and innovations:

Access Equity: An enterprise reporting tool launched in February 2024 to enhance transparency and track state spending with certified businesses.

Online Certification Portal: A secure platform for businesses to apply for and manage their certifications, streamlining the application process.

Leadership Team

OMWBE is led by a team committed to advancing its mission, including:

Director Lekha Fernandes: Instrumental in launching the LGBTQ Business Enterprise program, expanding certification opportunities for LGBTQ+ small business owners.

Collaborative Environment and Competitor Profile

OMWBE operates in a collaborative environment alongside several organizations:

Certify WA: A collaboration between the Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council and OMWBE, assisting businesses in obtaining certification and accessing government contracts.

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services: Develops and oversees contracts for goods and services, offering opportunities for certified businesses.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Key collaborations include:

Governor’s Subcabinet on Business Diversity: Working to instill equitable and inclusive purchasing practices across state agencies and institutions.

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services: Partnering to provide contracting opportunities and support for certified businesses.

Operational Insights

OMWBE's strategic considerations encompass:

Supplier Diversity Goals: Working with state agencies to develop processes encouraging the use of certified firms in public contracting and procurement.

Resource Allocation: Managing a biennial budget to support certification programs, business support services, and supplier diversity initiatives.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

OMWBE's strategic roadmap includes:

Expansion of Certification Programs: Introducing new certifications, such as the LGBTQ Business Enterprise program, to broaden inclusivity.

Enhanced Business Support: Providing additional resources and training to help certified businesses grow and succeed.

Strengthening Supplier Diversity: Collaborating with more state agencies and institutions to increase the utilization of certified businesses in public contracting.