Help Establish How State Spending Happens for Goods and Services

By the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, www.des.wa.gov

Are you hearing conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion in state contracting, but wanting clarity around specific changes? Do you ever find yourself in a meeting where change has occurred, but wonder why you were not part of an earlier conversation? Do you ever experience how the state implements a program and have ideas on how the state could do better?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, we’d like to invite you to join the August 18 workshop on how state goods and services spending could take place in the future. You do not have to know government terms or processes to share your ideas.

Below are some examples of questions that have come up from community members like you:

• What are you doing to include the BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) community?
• How will this make it easier to sell directly to the state?
• How will this make it easier to talk to people within the state about goods and services you offer?

Establishing “policy” can sound intimidating to some people, but all it means is writing down principles and processes that establish consistency. If you thrive in policy, then also feel welcome to roll up your sleeves and dive into the weeds. Ask us the questions that are on your mind. Change is happening and DES wants you and your ideas to be part of that change.

Your participation is also helpful as we finalize the policy that will create change:

• State agencies are required to follow what the policy document says
• State funds spent under goods and services will follow what the policy document says (does not apply to construction or public works)
• Community members should see items that will lead to changes that are meaningful to them (if not, please let us know what is missing)

The state knows we need to do better to include all Washington small and diverse businesses. Policy is the way to help ensure we are making the right steps toward that. If the changes the state is recommending are not enough, what more can we do to bridge the gap?

When thinking about this, there is one item to note: the policy does need to fit into the current legal foundation. We can’t offer preference based on race or gender. But we can offer preference to Washington small, mini, or micro businesses. We can offer preference to veteran-owned businesses. We can remove barriers and connect people. We can share information early and provide training. We can be creative.

We want your thoughts and ideas. Learn more about the Supplier Diversity Policy and register for the workshop to contribute to the conversation.

• Session 1: Focus on the vendor. Questions will be taken from small, veteran, and diverse vendors first. All other vendors will have an opportunity to ask questions or provide feedback at the end of the session.
  August 18, 8:30 AM-11:30 AM
  View Agenda | Register
• Session 2: Focus on government entities and nonprofit organizations.
  Questions will be taken from state customers first. All other participants will have an opportunity to ask questions or provide feedback at the end of the session.
  August 18, 1:30 PM-4:30 PM
  View Agenda | Register

If attending a state workshop is not your thing, are you part of a group or community organization? We can come to you.

Contact Erin Lopez Nielsen erin.lopez@des.wa.gov. Let us connect and have conversations.