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Wyoming Resident Preferences: Status and What to Do

Where
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Labor Standards, Resident Contractor Certification
Status
Active. Wyoming has no state MBE or WBE certification. A certified Wyoming resident wins a public works bid if within 5% of the low nonresident bid, and the certificate must be in place when you bid.
Contact
Labor Standards (307) 777-7261 (Cheyenne) or (307) 235-3679 (Casper)
Last checked
2026-10-10

See 8 open bids in Wyoming →

What it is

Wyoming does not run its own MBE, WBE, small business or veteran-owned certification for state purchasing. Instead, the Labor Standards Office of the Department of Workforce Services certifies Wyoming resident contractors and suppliers. On a bid public works contract, a certified resident wins if its bid is not more than 5% above the lowest responsible nonresident bid (W.S. 16-6-102). Public entities include the state, the University of Wyoming, counties, cities, towns and school districts.

Who qualifies

  • Individuals: a Wyoming resident for 1 year or more before bidding (W.S. 16-6-101).
  • Wyoming entities: at least 50% of equity owned by 1-year residents, a principal office in Wyoming for 1 year, and a CEO who is a 1-year resident. A second path covers Wyoming entities in existence 1 year or more with a resident CEO and a Wyoming principal office.
  • Entities organized in any state: in existence 2 years or more, a Wyoming principal office for 1 year, at least 15 full-time Wyoming resident employees in the state for 1 year, and 1 year of Wyoming workers' compensation and unemployment taxes paid.
  • Contractors must have taken part in the state prevailing wage survey. Suppliers do not (per Labor Standards rules, Chapter 4).
  • Out-of-state firms that do not meet these tests get no preference. The sections we read (W.S. 16-6-101, 102, 104 and 105) do not add a reciprocal penalty.

What it means for your bids

  • 5% preference on public works for certified residents. When bids are not required, the work goes to a resident if one offers the service.
  • 5% preference for Wyoming materials (produced, made or grown in Wyoming, or supplied by a resident who can supply them in the state) used in public works, including maintenance (W.S. 16-6-105).
  • On construction manager at risk and design-build projects, at least 70% of covered subcontract work must go to Wyoming resident contractors, with limited waivers (W.S. 16-6-1001).
  • Printing: a resident printer wins if within 10% of the low nonresident bid (per the Texas Comptroller's list, citing W.S. 16-6-301).

How to get certified

  1. Pick your affidavit: A (sole proprietor), B (100% Wyoming owned), C (50% or more Wyoming owned), D (Wyoming-registered, under 50% resident owned) or J (out-of-state registered, 15 or more full-time employees).
  2. Complete it, have it notarized, and submit it through the online application: https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/labor-standards/resident-contractor-resources/
  3. Certification takes effect when the certificate is issued. W.S. 16-6-101 bars retroactive certification.
  4. Renew with the renewal form on the same page. The page does not state a fee, how long a certificate lasts, or processing time.
  5. Report changes in address, ownership or leadership in writing within 30 days.
  6. For state non-construction bids, register on Public Purchase: http://www.publicpurchase.com/

Watch out for

  • You must be certified when you submit the bid.
  • After decertification you cannot be recertified for 1 year. After a residency denial you must wait 180 days to reapply.
  • Projects with federal money that restricts state preference laws are exempt from the resident labor rules.
  • State building construction bids go through the State Construction Department, (307) 777-3558.
  • Federal DBE certification is separate and has its own page.
  • Free help: the Wyoming APEX Accelerator says "All consultations are no cost and confidential."

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Common questions

Is the Wyoming Resident Contractor Certification (5% public works preference) and materials preference still active?

Wyoming has no state MBE or WBE certification. A certified Wyoming resident wins a public works bid if within 5% of the low nonresident bid, and the certificate must be in place when you bid.

Where do I check my certification status?

Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Labor Standards, Resident Contractor Certification: https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/labor-standards/resident-contractor-resources/

Sources

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with any certifying agency, and this isn't legal advice. Status can change quickly with court orders and new laws, so confirm with the program office before you rely on it.

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