Diversity in Contracting - Creating Opportunities

In January 2018, the Port of Seattle passed the Diversity in Contracting Resolution (3737) with the purpose of providing the maximum practicable opportunity for increased participation by women and minority business enterprises(WMBE) with no size limit in Port contracting for public works, consulting services, supplies, material, equipment, and other services. The new Diversity in Contracting program will be integrated into our procurement process as of January 2019.

One of the main goals is to triple the number of WMBE firms that contract with the Port and increase the percentage of dollars spent on WMBE contracts to 15 percent within five years of implementation of the Diversity in Contracting Program.

Commitment to Diversity

To meet this objective, the Port of Seattle will:

1. Train Port staff on available resources to include WMBE firms in their procurement and contracting;
2. Expand technical assistance to women and minority-owned businesses, including certification, business development, training, and mentoring programs for WMBE firms to enhance bidding expertise and promote greater coordination with advocacy organizations, businesses, individuals, and public agencies and other Port departments;
3. Create opportunities for members of the contracting and vendor community, Port, and other stakeholders to work together on increasing diversity in contracting;
4. Provide resources to potential Port contractors on organizations and agencies that can help recruit, mentor, and prepare them for participating in Port procurement;
5. Cooperate with the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises and other public agencies;
6. Monitor and measure these goals regularly;
7. Demonstrate accountability by incorporating WMBE goals into the Port’s Long Range Plan scorecards, reports, and Long Range Plan updates.

Resources

• 2022 Diversity in Contracting Annual Report
• 2021 Diversity in Contracting Annual Report
• Port of Seattle Commission Policy Directive on Diversity in Contracting
• Glossary of the commonly used terms in Diversity in Contracting

PortGen Workshops: The Port of Seattle conducts quarterly workshops to provide information about doing business with the Port as it relates to construction, consulting, goods and services, and airport concessions.

Port of Seattle representatives from Central Procurement, Diversity in Contracting, Project Management, and Airport Dining and Retail share information about upcoming opportunities. Attendees learn about business certifications and technical assistance resources from guest speakers. These sessions also provide a valuable networking opportunity.