Last update: 09/09/2009
Supplier diversity
Overview
General Administration manages certain central contracting activities for state government. Our role under the law is to leverage the state’s buying power for high-demand items and obtain the best value for the state’s taxpayers.
GA’s central contracts add up to only about 10% of the $8 billion the state spends for goods and services each biennium. The rest consists of purchases made at the individual agency level. Together, these make up thousands of potential opportunities for Washington’s diverse businesses to compete and win state business.
How Does GA Help Diverse Businesses Compete?
Governor Gregoire has noted that, "Minority
and women-owned businesses are an integral part of our community and
economy. Their economic prosperity is critical for the success of
our state." (Letter
to Agency Directors
)
GA’s Director, Linda Bremer, serves on the recently established Executive Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Council. GA promotes fair and equitable access to state contracting and purchasing opportunities by:
-
Improving access and awareness of state contracting opportunities
-
Easing barriers to participation on contracts and purchases
-
Reducing the costs of doing business with the state
-
Providing outreach, recruitment, and training opportunities
A key resource is Washington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) system. Through WEBS, businesses can register with the state and receive electronic notification of upcoming bid opportunities. WEBS eliminates the need for businesses to navigate many different registration and notification systems throughout state and local government.
Links To Business Opportunities & Assistance
Within GA:
- Register as a Vendor – Register to do business with government on WEBS
- General Information – How to do business with GA
- Current Goods & Services Needs – Office of State Procurement
- Current Construction & Design Needs – Engineering & Architectural Services
-
Supplier Diversity Program
In other State Agencies:
- Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises – Business Development Assistance, Certification
- Department of Information Services – TechMall, Technology Acquisitions
- Department of Social and Health Services – DSHS Purchasing opportunities
- Department of Transportation – WSDOT Contracts and Information
GA contact
- Martin Casey, Performance & Accountability Director: mcasey@ga.wa.gov
- Steve Krueger, maintains GA’s Supplier Diversity Plan: skruege@ga.wa.gov
- Rosalind Knox, GA's Office of State Procurement Supplier Diversity Change Agent, rknox@ga.wa.gov
- Roland Orr, with GA’s Division of Engineering and Architectural Services: rorr@ga.wa.gov
