King County participates in a number of programs offering outreach to smaller, disadvantaged businesses, as well as to other participants in the solicitation process.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

King County has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). The program purpose is to ensure that DBEs have an equal opportunity to participate in USDOT assisted contracts. For King County projects that include an element of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds, the County administers its DBE program following  the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) FHWA-approved DBE plan. Further information is available at: http://www.metrokc.gov/exec/bred/business/Projects/FedDisadvantaged.htm

Contracting Opportunities Program for Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS) Program

Administered by King County's Office of Business Relations and Economic Development, the Contracting Opportunities Program creates opportunities for the use of Small Contractors and Suppliers on County contracts.  The program applies to goods & services, construction, and consulting contracts. Further information is available at: http://www.metrokc.gov/exec/bred/bdcc/prog/kccontractopp.htm

Apprenticeship Programs

The King County Apprenticeship Program is part of a regional effort to address trends in recent demographic studies that forecast a shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry. An essential component of the program is the inclusion of minorities, women, persons with disabilities and economically disadvantaged youth as apprentices on selective County public works projects. King County establishes apprenticeship requirements on selected public works projects. Total labor hours and opportunity for training are the determining factors in establishing these requirements.

Further information is available at: http://www.metrokc.gov/exec/bred/bdcc/prog/apprent.htm

Note: Documents listed in this page are available in either Microsoft Office Word or Adobe Acrobat portable data format (PDF). PDF documents require the Adobe Acrobat Reader.