The Washington State Department of Transportation has launched a new website designed to help small-business owners position their companies to work on state contracts and projects.

The site includes tips for contractors, subcontractors, consultants and vendors. WSDOT is in the process of installing a new program that will encourage prime contractors to award 10 percent of transportation projects to small businesses.

“We support equal opportunities in the transportation job market and this will hopefully help small businesses’ efforts to get their foot in the door,” said Brenda Nnambi, director of WSDOT’s Office of Equal Opportunity, in a press release. “They’re an important part of our communities and help contribute to our state’s economic recovery. We want to see them succeed.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved WSDOT’s Small Business Enterprise Program. The plan sets a voluntary goal for prime contractors to use qualified small businesses, and it allows WSDOT to establish a roster of pre-qualified small businesses for contracts of up to $35,000.