Capacity Building Mentorship

Learn how underrepresented firms can qualify to perform work on transportation-related projects.

Capacity Building Mentorship Program

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s Capacity Building Mentorship Program works to grow the capacity of Minority, Women, Small, Veteran or Women’s Businesses Enterprises through relationships and technical assistance. The program pairs prime contractors and consultants, or mentors, with owners of firms who are certified by the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises or registered as a small or veteran’s business, or protégés.

The Program is part of Governor Inslee’s diverse business participation goal in Results Washington. The Program is also part of WSDOT’s efforts to increase diverse business participation and the State-Funded Contracts Diversity Roadmap. It is intended to enhance the capabilities and participation of members that can perform work on transportation-related projects. WSDOT continues its commitment to supporting and building capacity for underrepresented firms to perform work on transportation-related projects.

How is the Capacity Building Mentorship Program doing?

WSDOT has paired over 150 mentors and protégés since the Program launched in summer 2017. WSDOT re-launched the Program with Sound Transit. Minority Business Development Agency – Tacoma Business Center is administering the Program. Additionally, Business Impact NW administers loans to protégés participating in the Program, with a total of $750,000 in loans available from local credit unions. These partnerships seek to enhance the capabilities and increase the participation of minority, small, veteran, and women-owned business enterprises in the transportation sector.

How can I be part of the Capacity Building Mentorship Program?

For more information regarding the WSDOT Capacity Building Mentorship Program, please visit www.capacitymentorship.com.