In partnership with Tabor 100, the Washington State Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) held a technical assistance workshop for small business owners on the State’s certification process.

OMWBE is the sole agency to certify minority-and women owned business enterprises to participate in the State’s public contract and procurement opportunities. They can only certify small businesses that are owned and controlled by minority, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged persons. Certification strengthens the awareness of business existence to prime contractors and local agencies.

It is important to emphasize that when you become certified with OMWBE, your business is added to a Directory of Certified Firms where state agencies, local governments, and prime contractors seek qualified minority- and women-owned small businesses to fulfill their contracting needs.

There were 18 business owners who registered for the July 17 workshop, according to Taylor Harris who is a Tabor program coordinator. The OMWBE workshop was presented by Nereida Avendano, a certification analyst, who gave an overview of the certification process, answered questions and gave pointers to the participants.

“As an analyst, I look at all the documents provided with the application to make that determination. This can become a hurdle when the eligible owner does not own at least 51% of the business, have experience directly related to the operations of the business, or have control of the day-to-day operations. In addition, the business must be able to independently perform the work to fulfill a contract,” emphasized Avendano. Avendano says that partnering with Tabor 100 provides a greater audience reach to locate businesses who may benefit from certification programs.

One of the workshop participants included Srliveinusi Niu. Niu is a new business owner, who is in the process of applying for his certification. He moved to Washington from Utah and started his business early this year called Concorde Electric, Inc. “While I have the professional knowledge and extensive years of experience as an electrical engineer,” he said, “Attending the OMWBE workshop furthers my business and administrative management of the application process to become certified and gives me the opportunity to hear from other business owners about their successes and challenges.” “Tabor has warmly welcomed me as a new member and I sincerely appreciate the guidance of the organization,” Niu adds.

“Even though the application process can seem daunting, OMWBE is dedicated to leaving no questions unanswered to assist small businesses in their application process that are on the track of approval,” Harris said.