How to Work With the State
We manage more than 200 statewide contracts for goods and services. These contracts are awarded to over 1,750 businesses, many of them small businesses. State and local government agencies, tribal governments and nonprofit organizations purchase roughly $2.1 billion in goods and services from these businesses each year.
Register in WEBS
Anyone who wants to sell to agencies or buy goods or services using a contract must register in WEBS, Washington’s Electronic Business Solution.
Businesses can find bids opportunities and sign up for email notifications in WEBS (wa.gov).
Purchasers must register in WEBS to post new solicitations.
Responding to a bid opportunity
Pre-bid conference, bidder questions and solicitation amendments
- You are encouraged to attend the pre-bid conference to learn more and ask questions about the solicitation. You can contact the solicitation poster to find out if there's a pre-bid conference.
- Questions asked during the solicitation question-and-answer period will be added in the amendments section of the WEBS posting.
- Any changes to a solicitation prior to the bid due date will be posted in WEBS as solicitation amendments. Anyone who downloaded the original solicitation will receive an email from WEBS notifying them about amendments.
Submitting your bid
- Ensure you read and understand the solicitation document, all appendices, amendments, and other attachments.
- Ensure your bid is complete.
- Include all required attachments and documentation.
- Make sure you download the solicitation from WEBS to ensure you get an email about any amendments. Bidders are responsible for checking WEBS and should do so frequently.
- If required, you must sign and return a copy of each amendment before the bid due date.
Bid evaluations
- After the solicitation is closed, bids are evaluated using a formula specific to the opportunity.
- The bid(s) that score the highest will receive awards.
- After the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB) is announced, winning bids for statewide contracts are posted on the contract summary pages.
- You can see other bids by requesting a public record.
Getting paid
There are two ways to get paid by the state:
The Office of Financial Management (OFM) pays vendors via check or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). OFM has information for vendors about the payment process and how to get help.
Businesses can also accept payment through a state credit card, called a purchase card. They work the same as any credit card.
Getting licensed
All businesses on statewide contracts must be registered with the Washington Secretary of the State and Department of Revenue.
Some businesses need a license from the Washington state Department of Licensing. Requirements vary by business and state of residence.
Small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses
Washington state is committed to dismantling barriers that prevent small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses from doing business with the state. Find tips for small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses that want to get started working with the state.
Contact us
WEBS Customer Service
Phone 360-902-7400