Mike Gwinn

Mike Gwinn serves as the RFP Lead for the Washington Department of Enterprise Services (DES), where he plays a pivotal role in designing and managing the state’s strategic procurement processes for technology and professional services. In this capacity, he leads the development of complex solicitations, ensures compliance with state procurement regulations, and aligns acquisition strategies with DES’s mission to modernize public infrastructure through efficient, secure, and scalable IT solutions. His work directly supports the agency’s mandate to deliver high-performance digital services to state agencies, focusing on outcomes-driven contracting for systems integration, cybersecurity, and enterprise software support. Gwinn collaborates closely with a broad network of qualified vendors, primarily large and mid-sized IT service providers with proven experience in state government environments. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages firms capable of delivering mission-critical computer-related services under performance-based contract structures. His procurement approach emphasizes transparency, competitive bidding, and vendor accountability, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in technical excellence and compliance with Washington State’s procurement standards. Mr. Gwinn’s contracting patterns reflect a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of his solicitations designated as “No Set-Aside.” This reflects a strategic focus on selecting the most qualified offerors regardless of socioeconomic status, prioritizing capability, past performance, and value over targeted set-asides. While small business participation is not formally incentivized in his portfolio, vendors of all sizes are evaluated on merit and technical meritocracy. His primary procurement focus lies within NAICS 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), encompassing custom software development, systems analysis, cloud migration, data analytics, and IT consulting. He specializes in acquiring complex, non-standardized technology services that support statewide digital transformation initiatives, requiring deep domain expertise in public-sector IT architecture and compliance frameworks.