COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          7b 
BRIEFING ITEM                            Date of Meeting     November 28, 2017 
DATE:     November 17, 2017 
TO:        Dave Soike, Interim Executive Director 
FROM:    Aaron Pritchard, Commission Policy Manager 
Teresa Delicino, Director, Small Business Development 
Nora Huey, Director, Central Procurement Office 
SUBJECT:  Port of Seattle Women and Minority Business Enterprise Policy Briefing
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The Port of Seattle Commission is currently reviewing a proposed Women and Minority
Business Enterprise (WMBE) policy to increase women and minority business opportunities. The
policy is designed to increase both the percent of contracting dollars paid to WMBE firms as
well as the number of WMBE firms under contract. The policy also seeks to expand
opportunities for WMBE's, both to avail the opportunities created by the Port through our
economic develop power and to encourage and promote access to Port facilities.  The
Commission is currently scheduled for first reading on the proposed policy on November 28,
2017. 
POLICY SUMMARY 
Establishes Executive level accountability that drives performance across the Port 
Requires Divisions/Departments to establish goals and performance targets (# firms and
% of spend). G oal setting to align with budgetary processes 2018, to inform Annual
WMBE Plan early 2019. 
Enhances contractor compliance 
Includes WMBE inclusion plans in contracting. Identify covered contracts to pilot 2018,
full implementation 2019. 
Supports prompt pay. 
Creates  governance  and  organizational  structures  that  unify  and  guide  Port
implementation efforts to include clear lines of responsibility and accountability for
implementation of the WMBE Program and WMBE liaisons.
Expands opportunities beyond Port contracting to include other Port enterprise
opportunities 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _7e___                             Page 2 of 3 
Meeting Date: November 28, 2017 
SUPPORTING MOTION TO AMEND CENTURY AGENDA 
The Century Agenda Strategy 3 currently states that the Port will: 
3.   Use our influence as an institution to promote small business growth and workforce
development. 
Priority Actions 10 and 11 that support this goal state: 
10. Increase the proportion of funds spent by the Port with qualified small business firms on
construction, goods and services to 40 percent of the eligible dollars spent. 
11. Increase workforce training, job and business opportunities for local communities in
maritime, trade, travel and logistics. 
Proposed Century Agenda updated language: 
3. Use our influence as an institution to promote small business growth, woman and minority
owned business growth, and workforce development 
10. Increase the proportion of funds spent by the Port with qualified small business firms on
construction, goods and services to 40 percent of the eligible dollars spent. 
11. Triple the number of WMBE businesses utilized in Port contracts and increase participation
of WMBE firms to 15% of the total. 
Key Policy Question 
Should the Port of Seattle continue a small business focus as well as a new WMBE focus? 
BACKGROUND 
The Port of Seattle 2012 disparity study showed a disparity in Port utilization of minority
contractors in airport construction and construction related projects. While the Port has made
efforts since 2003 to increase WMBE utilization, we have been unable to meet our goals for
contracting with WMBE Port-wide.  Our 2016 performance of 5.3% WMBE utilization falls
behind other public sector entities that are achieving 12-16%. The Port of Seattle Commission
held three community outreach meetings in 2017 to solicit input on how to improve small
business contracting and to increase WMBE utilization. 
The Executive Leadership Team has heard directly from the City of Seattle on its successful
program and the Economic Development Division and procurement department have done
significant work to prepare to implement this policy and increase WMBE utilization. The
attached policy reflects the input from stakeholders, port-wide efforts to better understand

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _7e___                             Page 3 of 3 
Meeting Date: November 28, 2017 
implementation and Commissioner input to ensure greater accountability and specific
outcomes. 
Two full time staff positions have been added to support this new policy and program.
Additional staffing resources will likely be needed in mid-2018.  The need and approval for
these positions will be made by the Executive Director.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
(1)   Draft Resolution Attached 
(2)   Presentation slide 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
October 24, 2017 - Port of Seattle Women and Minority Business Enterprise Policy Review 
July 12, 2017  Commission Budget Priorities, Building Economic Opportunity in 
Underserved Communities 
March 28, 2017  Small Business Development Update 
March 22, 2016  Small Business Utilization briefing 
December 14, 2014  Disparity Study briefing 
August 19, 2014  Small Business Utilization briefing 
January 26, 2010  Adoption of Resolution No. 3618 concerning small business utilization 










Template revised September 22, 2016.