(1) When WSDOT has determined tiered participation will be available on a contract, a prime contractor, design-builder, general contractor/construction manager or consultant may meet the small and veteran business goals by using any combination of qualified contractors or consultants (i.e., VOB or small business contractors including SBEs, mini-businesses and micro-businesses). Prime contractors may receive a multiplied credit for utilizing businesses that fall into certain categories. The categories and respective multipliers are as follows:

(a) Category A. SBEs, mini-businesses, micro-businesses and VOBs that have not worked with WSDOT in the past five years may be credited at four times the actual dollars paid.

(b) Category B. A micro-business not eligible for credit as defined in category A may be credited at three times the actual dollars paid.

(c) Category C. A mini-business not eligible for credit as defined in category A or B may be credited at two times the actual dollars paid.

(d) Category D. SBEs and VOBs that are not eligible for a credit as defined in categories A, B or C will be credited at the actual dollars paid with no additional multiplier.

(2) Prime and subcontractors are responsible for verifying their eligibility for tiered credit participation. Eligible firms submitting multiple quotes as categories A, B, C, and D firms, on multiple projects with bids due on the same week, shall be regarded as such on all projects that receive awards from quotes entered on that week.