Opportunities

Doing Business With SDOT

The Seattle Department of Transportation provides many opportunities in consulting, construction (public works), and purchasing. Open Contract Opportunities are advertised through The Consultant Connection. To be best prepared for the bidding process:

Register with the City of Seattle in the Online Business Directory (OBD). Here you can:

Join a Consultant Roster for a specialized service. SDOT uses the Roster consistently to find consultants for a variety of projects.
Register as a Women or Minority-Owned Business (WMBE) with the City of Seattle. The City strongly encourages Departments and staff to engage WMBE firms in contracting opportunities.
Edit your business information in the directory. You may login using your business name and the last four digits of your tax ID. If you have trouble logging in or updating your information, contact DOT.WMBE@seattle.gov for assistance.

Consider registering with the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises to compete for federal funding as a DBE.

Network and learn about upcoming opportunities. Attend events put on by Tabor 100, a local economic development hub.

Sign up for bid notifications:

The City of Seattle is transitioning to OpenGov, an automated web-based procurement system, for all solicitations (consulting, purchasing and construction) on August 12, 2024.
SDOT will continue to run solicitations from the Bonfire platform for the time being.
To register for OpenGov and receive notifications on the City of Seattle’s solicitations, go to https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/seattle and click the “Subscribe” button. For more information about how to register, please visit the Vendor Guide.

Get technical assistance to prepare for bids.

Attend trainings, office hours, and networking opportunities, offered by the Department of Facilities and Administrative Services (FAS) via the Buy Line Blog.
Additionally, the City of Seattle has contracted with Tabor 100 and Business Impact Northwest (BINW) to provide Technical Assistance services to companies interested in doing business with the City. See our Citywide WMBE webpage for more details or contact representatives of Tabor 100 and BINW directly for assistance:
- Tabor 100 - Don Robinson, don.robinson@tabor100.org, (425) 528-0117
- BINW - Monique - Domonique Juleon, domoniquej@businessimpactnw.org, (206) 324-4330 x147
- Visit the Tabor 100 website to learn more about the Liberty Project.

Find additional state-wide opportunities with the WA Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises.

Events

Working with SDOT

SDOT hosts Working with SDOT targeting WMBE firms and featuring information on upcoming SDOT contracting opportunities as well as networking opportunities with SDOT Project Managers, leadership staff, and other companies. Details about future Working with SDOT events will be posted here.

Capital Consultant Connection

On May 15th, SDOT partnered with other City of Seattle Capital Departments, local small business service providers, and frequent prime contractors to host a Capital Consultant Connection Open House targeting WMBE firms in the architecture, engineering, and design space. We hope to host this event annually!

Upcoming events

Thursday, September 12, 2024 | Regional Contracting Forum

The 2024 Regional Contracting Forum will take place on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at McCaw Hall at Seattle Center. The Regional Contracting Forum connects small businesses and contractors to state and local agencies, school districts, transportation agencies, and various organizations. Disadvantaged, minority, small, veteran, and women-owned businesses are encouraged to attend.

Click here for more information and to register.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | Reverse Vendor Tradeshow

The 2024 Reverse Vendor Tradeshow will take place at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM. This event is hosted by the City of Seattle where vendors offers booths hosted by public agencies for vendors to visit, rather than the agencies visiting the vendors. Click here for more information and to register.