King Street Station & Equity In Contracting

Promoting race & gender equity in King Street Station contracting

Mayor McGinn’s Executive Order 2010-005, signed April 26, 2010, is a strong reminder of the City of Seattle’s recognition that race and gender discrimination continues to create barriers for women and minority-owned businesses (WMBE) that aspire to work with the City.

The Mayor’s order seeks to build on past efforts to correct this disparity through increased contracting with WMBE firms by expanding outreach efforts, creating new opportunities, and establishing direct accountability.

Projects that receive Federal Transit Administration funding are governed by similar policies to encourage greater contracting equity for minorities and economically disadvantaged firms, defined as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE).

The King Street Station Restoration Project divided the work for the current phase into packages that encouraged a diversity of firms to bid. This resulted in a strong participation rate among WMBE and DBE firms, which is summarized below. Sellen construction has been a great partner in promoting contract equity. To date, Sellen has exceeded the six percent DBE goal and doubled the ten percent WMBE goal set for this project. As the project progresses this information will be updated.

Participation by WMBE firms

Participation by DBE firms