Template revised September 22, 2016.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
6c
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
December 5, 2017
DATE: November 29, 2017
TO: Dave Soike, Interim Executive Director
FROM: Aaron Pritchard, Commission Policy Manager
Teresa Delicino, Director, Small Business Development
Nora Huey, Director, Central Procurement Office
SUBJECT: Port of Seattle Diversity in Contracting Policy Directive First Reading
ACTION REQUESTED
First Reading of Resolution No. 3737, a Resolution of the Port of Seattle Commission to
establish a Diversity in Contracting Policy Directive to increase women and minority business
opportunities and to repeal Resolutions No. 3506 and No. 3618. .
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Port of Seattle Commission is currently reviewing a proposed Women and Minority
Business Enterprise (WMBE) policy to increase women and minority business opportunities. The
policy is designed to increase both the percent of contracting dollars paid to WMBE firms as
well as the number of WMBE firms under contract. The Commission is currently scheduled for
first reading on the proposed policy on December 5, 2017.
POLICY SUMMARY
Establishes Executive level accountability that drives performance across the Port.
Requires Divisions/Departments to establish goals and performance targets (# firms and
% of spend). Goal setting to align with budgetary processes 2018, to inform Annual
WMBE Plan early 2019.
Enhances contractor compliance.
Includes WMBE inclusion plans in contracting. Identify covered contracts to pilot 2018,
full implementation 2019.
Supports prompt pay.
Creates governance and organizational structures that unify and guide Port
implementation efforts to include clear lines of responsibility and accountability for
implementation of the WMBE Program and WMBE liaisons.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6c Page 2 of 2
Meeting Date: December 5, 2018
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Proposes review to expand opportunities beyond Port contracting to include other Port
enterprise opportunities.
BACKGROUND
The Port of Seattle 2012 disparity study showed a disparity in Port utilization of minority
contractors in airport construction and construction related projects. While the Port has made
efforts since 2003 to increase WMBE utilization, we have been unable to meet our goals for
contracting with WMBE Port-wide. Our 2016 performance of 5.3% WMBE utilization falls
behind other public sector entities that are achieving 12-16%. The Port of Seattle Commission
held three community outreach meetings in 2017 to solicit input on how to improve small
business contracting and to increase WMBE utilization.
The Executive Leadership Team has heard directly from the City of Seattle on its successful
program and the Economic Development Division and procurement department have done
significant work to prepare to implement this policy and increase WMBE utilization. The
attached policy reflects the input from stakeholders, port-wide efforts to better understand
implementation and Commissioner input to ensure greater accountability and specific
outcomes.
Two full time staff positions have been added to support this new policy and program.
Additional staffing resources may be needed in mid-2018. The need and approval for these
positions will be made by the Executive Director.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING
(1) Draft Resolution Attached
(2) Presentation slide
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
November 28, 2017 –Women and Minority Business Enterprise Policy Review
October 24, 2017 - Women and Minority Business Enterprise Policy Review
July 12, 2017 – Commission Budget Priorities, Building Economic Opportunity in
Underserved Communities
March 28, 2017 – Small Business Development Update
March 22, 2016 – Small Business Utilization briefing
December 14, 2014 – Disparity Study briefing
August 19, 2014 – Small Business Utilization briefing
January 26, 2010 – Adoption of Resolution No. 3618 concerning small business utilization
