(1) State agencies are encouraged to award three percent of all procurement contracts that are exempt from competitive bidding requirements under *RCW 43.19.1906(2) to veteran-owned businesses certified by the department under RCW 43.60A.195.
(2) State agencies shall:
(a) Perform outreach to veteran-owned businesses in collaboration with the department to increase opportunities for veteran-owned businesses to sell goods and services to the state; and
(b) Work to match agency procurement records with the department's database of certified veteran-owned businesses to establish how many procurement contracts are being awarded to those businesses.