Cross-posted from Executive Services Express

Thanks to the recent Equity in Contracting Executive Order managed by the Department of Executive Services (DES), King County Metro is using innovative contracting techniques to address vandalism at bus shelters and save $1.5 million in replacement costs over ten years.

Last year, the King County Council approved legislation that increases contracting opportunities for small businesses owned by minorities, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged people. The county is removing barriers, implementing innovative contracting methods, and taking other actions to make it easier for minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) to contract with King County. The partnership with Metro is the first of many examples to come of transforming the county’s existing race- and gender-neutral contracting program into one that is more pro-equity and amplifies the participation of MWBEs.

Read the full announcement here.