Washington State Department of Transportation, Sound Transit, City of Seattle, Port of Seattle, and King County Announce Relaunch of Capacity Building Mentorship Program
Program opens applications for new cohort, connecting small public works businesses with industry mentors for two-year mentor- protégé relationships.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Sound Transit, City of Seattle, Port of Seattle, and King County have officially relaunched the Capacity Building Mentorship Program (CBMP). The multi-agency partnership is currently accepting applications for its upcoming cohort of mentors and protégés.
The Capacity Building Mentorship Program is a collaborative framework between Washington State public agencies dedicated to increasing the competitive capacity of small public works firms. Through structured, two-year mentor-protégé partnerships, the program helps small businesses bridge operational gaps, navigate complex regulatory environments, and successfully compete for public infrastructure contracts.
WSDOT is dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options that strengthen communities and support economic growth for people and businesses. To ensure our publicly funded projects truly benefit communities, we strive to make contracting opportunities more accessible to small businesses. Since 2018, CBMP has been dedicated to helping small businesses grow. By building lasting relationships with prime contractors, small firms have taken on larger projects, increased profitability, and connected with more contractors. Together, we’re working to create a more inclusive and vibrant transportation community – Michael Carpenter, WSDOT
To ensure high-value pairings, all potential mentors and protégés undergo an intake and business assessment process. This evaluation ensures that mentors understand the specific needs of their assigned protégés, and that both mentors and participating protégés have a shared understanding of goals and roles within the program.
By aligning WSDOT, Sound Transit, City of Seattle, Port of Seattle, and King County under a unified program framework, the CBMP aims to reduce barriers for small businesses while expanding the pool of certified, high-performing contractors available for projects.
Interested in applying? Qualification criteria and expectations for both mentors and protégés are available online. To learn more or request an intake evaluation, please visit the official program website at www.capacitymentorship.com.