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Equity in Contracting Test

Small Works Roster Program

Small Business Enterprise logoThe City of Tacoma's Small Works Roster Program (SWR) allows pre-registered contractors the opportunity to bid on small public works and improvement projects with a budget of $200,000 or less.  For smaller qualifying companies, the Small Works Roster may allow for expedited payment and waiver of the bid bond.  This program utilizes categories under the North American Industry Classification System.

Please note that except for the Small Works Roster, the City of Tacoma does not maintain an on-going vendor or bidders list for any categories of work.  Small Works Roster bids are sent to approved and pre-registered contractors.

 

Only contractors notified directly by the City of Tacoma regarding a specific SWR solicitation may respond to that solicitation.  If you did not receive notice directly from the City regarding a particular solicitation, you are not eligible to participate.  Additionally, only contractors that have received notice from the City confirming they are on the City's Small Works Roster are eligible to participate in the City's Small Works Roster program. You can also view the City's current contracting opportunities not associated with the Small Works Roster.

 

Small Works Roster

Equity in Contracting Program 

As part of the City of Tacoma's ongoing work to advance broader strategic goals relating to equity and accessibility, as well as economic growth, it has expanded its efforts to achieve equity in contracting and support of minority and women-owned businesses. 
 

The Equity in Contracting Program offers access to contracting and procurement opportunities, as well as guidance and technical assistance, to historically underutilized businesses interested in providing supplies, services and public works support to the City of Tacoma.    

 

 

Mission Statement

Equity in Contracting Program Mission Statement 

To create and sustain a competitive and fair business environment for contracting, procurement and consulting opportunities that include small businesses owned by minority, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged people. 

Background and Disparity Study

Background

The City authorized an extensive, year-long disparity study completed in 2018 that analyzed procurement and contracting barriers for small, disadvantaged, minority and women-owned businesses in construction, architecture and engineering, services and goods. This study determined that there exists a statistically significant under-utilization by the City of minority and women-owned businesses in these contract categories.

 

Results of the last Disparity Study indicated that the City’s Small Business Enterprise Program had not effectively reduced barriers or increased opportunities for businesses owned by women or people of color. The City's Equity in Contracting program was developed to address these issues, with the aim of improving equity in contracting.  More information is available in this final report.

A construction industry stakeholder committee convened by the City in 2018 - comprised of labor union leaders, private contractors, minority and women-owned businesses and residents from economically distressed communities - analyzed the use of local workforce agreements in the context of the findings and recommendations of the disparity study. Through a consensus process, the stakeholder group voted against adoption of a formal community workforce agreement or priority hire ordinance, but recommended expansion of support services offered to minority and women-owned businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why are these changes being made?

Results of the last Disparity Study indicated that the City’s Small Business Enterprise Program had not effectively reduced barriers or increased opportunities for businesses owned by women or people of color. The City's Equity in Contracting program was developed to address these issues, with the aim of improving equity in contracting. 

 

Do I still need to certify my business with the City of Tacoma? 

The City is transitioning its SBE list to the State of  Washington’s Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprise (OMWBE) list beginning January 1, 2020. Although you do not have to be on the City's list at that point, to ensure that you do not have any lapse in certification between being on the City's list and the State's list, you can re-certify with the City in January 2020 while working on your application with the State. As your renewal date gets closer, a member of the City's Equity in Contracting staff will work with you as you prepare your documents for the State’s list. During this process, we are monitoring the amount of time it takes for a small business to get on the State’s SBE, MBE, WBE, and/or MWBE list(s). The City will continue to use its list during this transition and is preparing to shut down its list on December 31, 2020.  

 

Why do I need to apply for State certification? 

The State’s OMWBE certifications provide more opportunities for contractors and more options for the City. Currently, the City's SBE list does not help contractors get opportunities outside of Tacoma. By using the State's certifications, contractors enjoy a more streamlined process as well as more bidding opportunities. 

What type of State certification do I need? 

There are four types of State certification through OMWBE: 

  1. MBE- Minority Business Enterprise 
  2. WBE- Woman Business Enterprise  
  3. MWBE- Minority Women Business Enterprise  
  4. SBE- Small Business Enterprise  

Additional information is available in this OMWBE User Guide.


While other individuals may be found to be socially disadvantaged on a case-by-case basis, in general, to be an eligible business owner you must:

  • Be a minority or a woman. (A minority is defined as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, or Native American.) 
  • Own at least 51 percent of the business and show contribution of capital and expertise. 
  • Control the managerial and day-to-day operations of the business. 
  • Be economically disadvantaged. (Being economically disadvantaged as a business owner is defined as having a personal net worth less than $1.32 million, not including a person's primary residence or an applicant business.) 

What does State certification cost?

There is no fee for SBE's. For MBE's, MWBE's and WBE's the fees are:

  • $50 for Sole Proprietor
  • $75 for a Partnership
  • $100 for an LLC
  • $100 for a Corporation

How to Apply

City's Equity in Contracting Certification 

 

Any qualified business can easily get an application online or contact the City's SBE Office to request more information. The program requirements, application, affidavit and instructions can be downloaded online at any time. The SBE Office is staffed from 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday - Friday, with the exception of City-observed holidays. 

 

Training and Business Management Assistance

Ongoing Training and Business Management Assistance is Available 

For certified businesses, the Equity in Contracting program helps to level the playing field when it comes to having an opportunity to secure public works and goods and services contracts. 

 

Get more information about Training and Business Management.

Small Works Roster Program

Small Works Roster 
The City of Tacoma's Small Works Roster Program (SWR) allows pre-registered contractors the opportunity to bid on small public works and improvement projects with a budget of $200,000 or less.  

For smaller qualifying companies, the Small Works Roster may allow for expedited payment and waiver of the bid bond.  This program utilizes categories under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  Except for the Small Works Roster, the City of Tacoma does not maintain an ongoing vendor or bidders list for any categories of work.  

Small Works Roster bids are sent to approved and pre-registered contractors.
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File an EIC Complaint

*If you have an Equity in Contracting (EIC) issue related to prompt pay, certification, retainage or fraud, you or someone on your behalf may file a complaint with the EIC Office by downloading the PDF form located here , or you may now submit a Subcontractor Online Complaint form by selecting this Online Subcontractor Complaint form.

 

This form is subject to Public Disclosure.

 

Once the form has been completed, an email notification will be automatically sent to the complainant to acknowledge receipt. EIC Staff will follow up via email or phone using the contact information indicated on the form.

 

Please Note: If your complaint is a Title VI Complaint, visit City of Tacoma Title VI Notice - Webpage for more information on how to file a Title VI Complaint or send an email to the Title VI Coordinator at cwolfe@cityoftacoma.org

 

Contact Us

  

Malika Godo 

Equity in Contracting Compliance Specialist

(253) 591-5630

 

Linda Cerna

Equity in Contracting Contract & Outreach Specialist

(253) 591-5826

 

Tacoma Municipal Building
747 Market Street, Room 900
Tacoma, WA 98402

 

Finding Contracting Opportunities Infographic

 

Project Forecasting 2023-24



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