Contracts Connection




*Department of Enterprise Services*
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In this edition
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* New solicitations
* New statewide contracts
* Contract changes
* Success spotlight
* Other news
* Upcoming statewide contracts

"Contracts Connection provides news about statewide contracts for goods and services, which are available to state agencies and other organizations that have signed a contract usage agreement. "

*Learn more about statewide contracts* [ [link removed] ]






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New solicitations

DES starts solicitation to replace professional auditing services contract

DES is starting solicitation for contract 05825, professional auditing services, to succeed statewide contract 03219 [ [link removed] ], which expires Jan. 31, 2026.

Please complete this survey [ [link removed] ] to share your agency’s interest as a customer of professional auditing services.

We are also looking for purchasers and subject matter experts to help us develop this contract and will be holding a kickoff meeting March 19 at 2 p.m. Attendees will learn more about the solicitation process, sourcing team time commitment, and responsibilities. If you would like to attend the meeting, or cannot but still have feedback, please contact the procurement coordinator below.

Questions? Email Chelsea Clark at [email protected] <[email protected]?subject=05825%20Professional%20Auditing%20Services>.

*View contract 05825* [ [link removed] ]


*DES starts solicitation to replace household appliances contract   *

DES is starting solicitation 06425, household appliances, to succeed statewide contract 06319 [ [link removed] ], which expires Jan. 31, 2026.

This solicitation is for purchases of household appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, ranges, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and microwaves. The contract does "not" cover accessories, compactors, or disposals.

We are looking for purchasers and subject matter experts to help us develop this contract. If you are interested, join our kickoff meeting [ [link removed] ] April 2 at 9 a.m. Attendees will learn more about the solicitation process, time commitment, and responsibilities.

If you are unable to attend but still have feedback, please submit this survey [ [link removed] ], or contact the procurement coordinator.

Questions? Email Kathy Paterson at [email protected] <[email protected]?subject=Household%20Appliances%2006425>.

*View contract 06425* [ [link removed] ]


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New statewide contracts

New statewide contract for agent-assisted travel services

DES has a new statewide contract 23923 for agent-assisted travel services. The contract may include help with travel reservations, advice on health requirements, itineraries, and delivery of e-tickets or paper tickets for air and land transportation.

This contract features five small businesses. Find pricing and points of contact on the contract summary page.

This contract succeeds contract 02219 [ [link removed] ], travel services, agent-assisted and internet, which expired Dec. 1, 2023.

Questions? Email Maree George at [email protected] <[email protected]?subject=Contract%2023923>.

*View contract 23923* [ [link removed] ]


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Contract changes

DES extends contract for spoken language interpreter services

DES is extending contract 02819 for spoken language interpreter services--over the phone interpreter services (OPI) and video remote interpreter services (VRI). The contract expires July 3.

Questions? Email DES Language Access at [email protected]_.

*View contract 02819* [ [link removed] ]


DES extends contract for condoms and related products

DES is extending contract 24323, condoms and related products, in partnership with MMCAP Infuse. This contract expires June 30, 2026.

Questions? Email Samantha Johnson at [email protected] <[email protected]?subject=Condoms%20and%20Related%20Products%20contract%20extended>.

*View contract 24323* [ [link removed] ]


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Success spotlight

BDAG: Making an impact in state contracting 

Since its inception in 2019, the Business Diversity Advisory Group (BDAG) has played a key role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable procurement culture at DES. Made up of small and diverse business owners, BDAG members use their knowledge and experience to help remove barriers in state contracting.

BDAG continues to grow, with 21 active members serving one- to three-year terms and many past members and stakeholders contributing to the group’s monthly meetings.

*2024 achievements* 

In the past year, BDAG made a real impact in state contracting by:


* *Bringing vendors’ voices to the table:* We hosted ten monthly meetings with 313 participants, ensuring small and diverse businesses have a say in procurement decisions.

* *Influencing procurement policies:* We reviewed and provided direct feedback on more than 20 procurement policies, procedures, and requirements to improve transparency and accessibility.

* *Increasing contracting opportunities:* We successfully advocated for DES to forecast and post internal contracts, expanding visibility beyond just statewide contracts.

* *Enhancing WEBS functionality:* We helped improve reporting features in the Washington Electronic Business Solutions (WEBS), including a better solicitation search function and a disclaimer clarifying requirements for how businesses should identify themselves in the system.

* *Driving collaboration and accountability:* We gathered 53 ideas and suggestions in joint meetings with the State Contracts Assistance Network (SCAN) and identified five key priorities for action.

* *Removing participation barriers:* We launched a community compensation plan [ [link removed] ] to help small business owners attend meetings without sacrificing paid work opportunities.

* *Staying informed and engaged:* We reviewed the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Disparity Study and the Seattle Office of Economic Development’s Small Business Handbook to ensure BDAG’s efforts align with broader equity initiatives.

* *Advocating for agency transparency:* We are pushing for all state agencies to forecast and publish upcoming contracts in one central location and inviting large agency executives to share their progress on supplier diversity implementation and scorecards.

Want to get involved in BDAG? New members from the small and diverse business community are always welcome! If you’re interested, please submit an application.

*Learn more and apply to join* [ [link removed]. ]


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Other news

*DES wants your feedback!*

DES is reaching out to small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses that downloaded a solicitation from Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS), but did not submit a proposal. We’d love to know why. Understanding the reason helps us identify and address any barriers to bidding on state contracts.

If you’ve recently downloaded a solicitation but didn’t submit a bid, please take a moment to complete our survey—three questions—and share your thoughts. Your input is valuable in improving access and opportunities for businesses like yours.

By working together, we can make it easier for small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses to succeed in state contracting. We encourage you to learn more about working with the state [ [link removed] ]. Thanks!

*Take the survey* [ [link removed] ]






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Upcoming statewide contracts 

Interested in seeing the statewide contracts we are working on? Visit our planned procurements to see statewide contracts under development, the contracts they are replacing and the timeline. 

*Planned procurements* [ [link removed] ]






*Share feedback with us* [ [link removed] ]* about using statewide contracts, suggest a new contract, or request a customer listening session.
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Contact us
*Contact Us*

*DES Contracts & Procurement*

360-407-2210 [ tel:360-407-2210 ] | [email protected]

 









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