Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) is a new type of State Certification that fosters small business participation in public works contracting. PWSBE Certification also grants businesses free access to the Municipal Research and Services Center's (MRSC) Small Works Roster, where public agencies are looking for qualified vendors.

"Public Works" refers to all work, construction, alteration, repair, or improvement paid for by state and local governments, public universities, school districts, and other public organizations. Examples of public works projects include road construction, roof repair, HVAC upgrades, building remodeling, or parking meter installation.

PWSBE Certification Is Now Available!

Please Note - As of October 2024, all OMWBE State Certified businesses have been given PWSBE certification. Learn more here.

To get certified with OMWBE for the first time, create an account in our certification portal, Access Equity, to start your application. Businesses that are currently certified in our Federal program can opt-in to apply for State Certification in Access Equity. If you need help, please email technicalassistance@omwbe.wa.gov.

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See what documents you need to apply for PWSBE Certification.

Do I qualify for PWSBE Certification?

The business must be:

• For profit
• Licensed to do business in Washington State
• Able to perform the core services necessary to fulfill a contract in the business’s eligible owner(s) area of specialty or expertise.
• A small business based on U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards, which is measured in two ways:
  • An overall business size standard of $30.72 million in gross receipts over a three-year average.
  • Size standards according to your businesses’ North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. OMWBE will assign your business NAICS codes according to the goods and services you indicate your business will provide. Each NAICS code has a size standard listed in the SBA’s size standard tables.

The eligible owner(s) must:

• Own at least 51% of the business and show contribution of capital or expertise.
• Control the management and day-to-day operations of the business.
• Be economically disadvantaged.
  • Personal Net Worth (PNW) under $2.047 million excluding primary residence and applicant business.
  • Cannot have the ability to Accumulate Substantial Wealth
    • Have an average of Gross Adjusted Income of less than $350,000 year on a 3-year average.
    • Have assets of less than $6 million

Please refer to our Certification Eligibility page for additional information.

I am Federally certified with OMWBE - Can I get certified as a PWSBE?

Federally certified businesses can opt-in for State Certification with OMWBE. Follow these instructions to submit a PWSBE Opt-in Form if you are Federally Certified (DBE or SBE) and your home state is Washington. The opt-in option may not apply for out-of-state businesses that are only DBE interstate certified with OMWBE. In this case, a new PWSBE application may be required.

1. Log into your Access Equity account at https://omwbe.diversitycompliance.com/
2. Under “Key Actions” choose “Renew/Apply for Certification”
3. Under “Select an Option” choose “Your firm is currently certified with OMWBE”
4. Choose “Your firm is seeking to add a new certification to your existing certification.”
5. Choose “Your firm is currently federally certified and seeking state certification as a PWSBE.”

What other changes are coming to Public Works contracting?

In addition to launching PWSBE Certification, Washington state is changing the way we approach public works contracting. There are several changes that affect small businesses in particular, which you can learn about here - Changes to the Small Works Roster (Department of Enterprise Services, DES)

"Public Works" is defined in RCW 39.04.010(4). Learn more about Public Works Contracts on MRSC's website.