Washington Administrative Code Title 326 - Minority and Women's Business Enterprises, Office of
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Title 326 – Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE)
Overview:
WAC Title 326 outlines the regulations administered by the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) in Washington State. The purpose of the OMWBE is to promote equity in public contracting by ensuring that minority- and women-owned businesses have fair opportunities to participate in state-funded projects and procurement.
Key Areas Covered in Title 326:
Certification of Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBEs):
Criteria and procedures for certifying businesses as minority- or women-owned.
Certification types include state and federal (e.g., DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, SBE – Small Business Enterprise).
Renewal, appeals, and revocation processes.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ownership, control, and independence requirements.
Proof of minority or women ownership (e.g., documents, affidavits).
Business size and location requirements.
Directory of Certified Firms:
Maintenance of a public directory listing all certified MWBEs, used by agencies and contractors.
Utilization Goals and Contracting:
Goals for MWBE participation in public contracts.
Rules for counting MWBE participation and subcontracting.
Compliance and Monitoring:
How the OMWBE monitors contracts for compliance with MWBE goals.
Investigation of complaints, audits, and penalties for noncompliance.
Appeals and Hearings:
Processes for businesses to appeal certification denials or disciplinary actions.
Administrative hearing procedures.
Purpose:
The rules in Title 326 support Washington State’s efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive economic environment by ensuring equitable access to contracting and procurement opportunities for underrepresented businesses.
RELATED Blog
0 comments