Selling to the State of Washington

How a company registers as a supplier with the State of Washington, the state's certification programs, and where to get help in Washington, with the official sources. Federal registrations such as SAM.gov are in the federal guides.

WEBS, Washington's Electronic Business Solution (Department of Enterprise Services)

How to register

1. 1Go to the WEBS business portal at pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov and click Create Account. Use this business portal, not the government portal (pr-webs-customer.des.wa.gov), which is for public buyers.
2. 2Read and accept the WEBS terms. WEBS says all information submitted becomes a public record under Chapter 42.56 RCW (Revised Code of Washington).
3. 3Enter your business and contact information.
4. 4Choose your commodity codes. Search with single words that describe your products, or search by NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code to find the matching commodity codes.
5. 5If the business meets the state definition, self-certify as a Washington small business in WEBS. The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) defines it as a business whose primary location is in Washington and that has 50 or fewer employees or gross annual revenue under $7 million.
6. 6Sign up for notices of bid opportunities. Add WEBSCustomerService@des.wa.gov to your safe senders list.
7. 7Update your WEBS registration at least once every calendar year, as the WEBS terms require. The terms say registrations that are not validated may be deemed inactive and removed.
8. 8To get paid by a state agency, register as a supplier with the Office of Financial Management (OFM), which assigns a Statewide Vendor Number. Use OFM's Supplier Registration web form (DocuSign) or the PDF form with an ink signature. OFM says a U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number (an SSN or an EIN, not both) is required and processing typically takes three to five business days.
9. 9Optional: send OFM's Supplier Direct Deposit Authorization form to be paid by direct deposit. OFM says processing typically takes seven business days.
10. 10Need help? WEBS Customer Service: 360-902-7400, WEBSCustomerService@des.wa.gov. OFM Statewide Registration Services: 360-407-8180, SupplierRegistration@ofm.wa.gov (direct deposit forms: supplierforms@ofm.wa.gov).

• Washington Small Business (self-certification in WEBS)Washington Department of Enterprise Services (DES)Businesses whose primary location is in Washington and that have 50 or fewer employees or gross annual revenue under $7 million, per DES. The business self-certifies in WEBS.
• OMWBE State Certification (MBE, MWBE, WBE, CBE, SEDBE)Washington Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE)Minority-owned and women-owned businesses. Owners must own at least 51% of the company and control it. OMWBE says U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is not required for State Certification. OMWBE says there is no cost to apply for any of its certifications. Apply at omwbe.diversitycompliance.com.
• Small Business Enterprise (SBE)Washington Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE)Small businesses with gross annual receipts of $32.82 million or less and an owner with personal net worth of $2.047 million or less, per OMWBE's qualifications table. The owner must own at least 51% and control the company. Unlike State Certification, the table lists U.S. citizenship as a requirement for SBE. No cost to apply.
• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession DBE (ACDBE)Washington Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE)Firms seeking credit on contracts funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT); ACDBE covers airport concessions. After the USDOT Interim Final Rule of October 2025, OMWBE required every certified DBE and ACDBE to submit a reevaluation application with a Personal Narrative and a current Personal Net Worth statement; OMWBE's 30-day collection window ended February 4, 2026. OMWBE says firms headquartered outside Washington must be reevaluated in their home jurisdiction first, then submit an Interstate Request application. OMWBE's qualifications table lists U.S. citizenship as a requirement for DBE/ACDBE. No cost to apply.
• Veteran-Owned Business certificationWashington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA)Businesses incorporated in Washington or with their principal place of business in Washington, at least 51% owned by a veteran or servicemember. In a community property or 50/50 split, the veteran must keep operational control. WDVA says certification is free. Register in WEBS first, then send proof of discharge status (a DD214, military ID or proof of VA benefit eligibility), proof of 51% ownership and proof the business is a Washington State enterprise to vob@dva.wa.gov. WDVA phone: 360-791-1788.

• APEX AcceleratorWashington APEX AcceleratorAPEX Accelerator website
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC)Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC)SBDC website
• Economic developmentWashington State Department of Commerce, Economic Development DivisionEconomic development agency website

• Where to startThe order: the basics, codes and size, SAM.gov, certifications, drone rules, documents, where to sell, and free and low-cost help.
• SAM.gov registrationThe federal government's free registration for companies that want federal contracts: the Unique Entity ID, the CAGE code and the yearly renewal.
• Codes and profilesNAICS and PSC codes, SBA size standards, CAGE and NCAGE codes, and the SBA Small Business Search profile buyers search.
• SBA certificationsThe SBA's 8(a), HUBZone, women-owned (WOSB and EDWOSB) and veteran-owned (VetCert) programs: who each is for and how to apply.
• Drone complianceThe rules for selling drones to government and flying them: NDAA and the American Security Drone Act, Blue UAS, the FCC, FAA Part 107, ITAR, EAR and CMMC.
• Documents to prepareWhat government buyers, SBA lenders, SBIR and STTR programs and investors ask to see.
• Selling to federal buyersWhere federal contracts, subcontracts and research funding are posted: SAM.gov, primes, the GSA schedule, SBIR and STTR, DIU, AFWERX, the Army, the Navy, SOFWERX and DHS.
• Utilities and public buyersUtilities, HUD-funded agencies, state transportation departments, cities and counties, and cooperative contracts such as Sourcewell and NASPO ValuePoint.
• Free and low-cost helpAPEX Accelerators, SBDCs, SBA district offices, SCORE, veterans' and women's business centers, MEP centers and agency small business offices.

• DES home page
• DES Register for Bid Opportunities (WEBS)
• DES Tips for Small, Diverse and Veteran-Owned Businesses
• WEBS business portal home
• WEBS vendor registration terms
• OFM Supplier Direct Deposit
• OFM Supplier Registration
• OMWBE Certification
• OMWBE Fees
• OMWBE Interim Final Rule and Personal Narrative FAQ
• WDVA Veteran-Owned Businesses
• WSDOT Aviation
• Washington APEX Accelerator
• Washington Department of Commerce, Economic Development

Last checked September 25, 2026. Rules, fees and programs change; the official sources are where to confirm them before applying or spending money.

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