Program staff highlight DBE and small‑business goals as procurement begins

Program staff and WSDOT representatives emphasized outreach and capacity building for small, disadvantaged and minority‑owned contractors as procurement begins for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program.

Carly Francis and John White described industry engagement that included an industry day with about 400 participants, a voluntary submitters meeting with roughly 220 attendees, and a vendor portal with about 3,700 registrants. Staff said the program will require proposers to submit subcontracting and federal small business participation plans and that the procurement includes outreach and technical assistance via partner organizations.

Why it matters: officials said the program seeks to use the procurement to create durable economic opportunities in the region. John White noted federal small business goals of 16% for design and 19% for construction and urged firms to register with the appropriate state small‑business designations to be eligible for work and for mentor‑protégé and capacity programs.

Several public commenters, including the National Association of Minority Contractors, urged strong DBE goals, workforce development and transparent performance metrics to ensure local participation.