Washington Small Public Works Firms

Capacity Building Mentorship Program
The Capacity Building Mentorship Program (CBMP) connects large, often national, contractors working on public works projects (Mentors) with small in-state businesses (Protégés) doing similar work. These partnerships focus on the needs of small businesses, allowing owners to guide the program towards their top priorities. WSDOT, through an external program administrator, manages these relationships, while business partnerships carry out the work. By involving an experienced outside consultant, the CBMP program promotes mutually beneficial relationships between these firms. This approach helps small businesses build their capacity to handle larger contracts and assists bigger companies in developing reliable partners for future projects. The program encourages Mentors to award contracts to their Protégés, recognizing that meaningful work opportunities are essential for small business growth.
Strengthening Local Businesses
WSDOT’s Office of Equity & Civil Rights, along with Sound Transit, Port of Seattle, King County and City of Seattle, are the program sponsors with the immediate objectives to strengthen the long-term stability of certified firms by focusing resources on those critical business skills that contractors need to compete successfully.
WSDOT
WSDOT’s mission is to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options to improve communities and economic vitality for people and businesses. Economic vitality is strengthened through various efforts, including investing in transportation infrastructure construction, renovations, and revitalization. To ensure that WSDOT’s publicly funded construction and consulting projects benefit local communities, the agency aims to lower barriers for small businesses participating in contracting opportunities. Through the Capacity Building Mentorship Program (CBMP), launched in 2018 as a strong partnership between WSDOT, the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), and the Associated General Contractors of Washington (AGC), the agency seeks to improve small businesses' ability to handle larger projects by fostering long-term relationships with regional and national prime contractors and providing business-focused technical support through those relationships. Supported by the construction and consulting sectors, CBMP helps develop lasting relationships, encourages profitability for small firms, and helps larger contractors access more subcontractors.
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SoundTransit
Sound Transit is connecting more people to more places to make life better and more equitable for all by building and operating regional transit service throughout our region. Our agency is committed to creating business access and opportunity for our small and disadvantaged businesses as we build our regional transit network. Through the Capacity Building Mentorship Program (CBMP), we partner with regional agencies to equip businesses with the knowledge, support, and connections to pursue Sound Transit contract opportunities. This program pairs small businesses with experienced industry mentors, opening the door to new opportunities, stronger business practices, and greater visibility in the public sector. The CBMP not only accelerates participants’ growth but also strengthens the pool of contract ready firms that help build and maintain the region’s transportation infrastructure.
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Port of Seattle
Founded in 1911 as a special purpose government, the Port of Seattle's mission is to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce and job creation in an equitable, accountable and environmentally responsible manner.
The Port of Seattle owns and operates the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Fishermen’s Terminal, and public marinas. The Port also owns cruise ship terminals, a grain terminal, real estate assets, and marine cargo terminals.
The Port of Seattle is dedicated to leveling the playing field for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses and is working towards achieving the following goals by the end of 2029:
  • Increasing the amount of spend on WMBE contracts to 16%
  • Increasing the number of WMBE firms doing business with the Port to 500
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King County
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City of Seattle
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About Program Administrator
Thurston EDC became the program administrator December 2025. Home of Washington APEX Accelerator, Washington Center for Women in Business and many other programs supporting the Washington economy.

The Capacity Building Mentorship Program (CBMP) connects large, often national, contractors working on public works projects (Mentors) with small in-state businesses (Protégés) doing similar work. These partnerships focus on the needs of small businesses, allowing owners to guide the program towards their top priorities. WSDOT, through an external program administrator, manages these relationships, while business partnerships carry out the work. By involving an experienced outside consultant, the CBMP program promotes mutually beneficial relationships between these firms. This approach helps small businesses build their capacity to handle larger contracts and assists bigger companies in developing reliable partners for future projects. The program encourages Mentors to award contracts to their Protégés, recognizing that meaningful work opportunities are essential for small business growth.

The program was launched in March 2018 as the Mentor-Protégé program through a partnership among WSDOT, the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), and the Associated General Contractors of Washington (AGC). The program was based on the STAR program developed by THOR Companies, one of the largest Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program-graduated companies in the country.

In late 2025, Thurston EDC, home of Washington APEX Accelerator, was awarded the contract to serve as the CBMP administrator. In early 2026, the program was relaunched in partnership with Sound Transit, the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle, King County, ACEC, and the AGC. Since its inception, CBMP has helped more than 104 protégés establish mentor-protégé relationships. The program is currently accepting applications.

Capacity Building Mentorship Program Determining Success Factors

  • Increased government contracting confidence
  • Increased bonding
  • Increased contracts and subcontracts
  • Increased revenue
  • Expansion of scope or work
  • Increased workforce
  • Increased certified firms
We've been part of the CBMP for two years and it's made a world of difference. I'd like to thank WSDOT & Sound Transit for supporting this for us. We'd like to continue and extend it to another year with our mentor.
Flaviano Reyes
Reyes Engineering, Inc.