FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6283

C 106 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing the monetary threshold for competitive bidding requirements for public hospital districts.

Sponsors:  Senators Gardner, Swecker, T. Sheldon, Haugen and Rasmussen.

Senate Committee on State & Local Government

House Committee on Local Government & Housing

Background:  All materials purchased and work ordered for a public hospital district, the estimated cost of which is in excess of $5,000, must be done by contract.  Before awarding a contract for such work, the public hospital district commission must publish notice, at least 13 days before the last day bids will be received, inviting sealed proposals for the work.  The commission must canvass the bids and may award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.

Alternatively, a public hospital district may award contracts if the materials purchased and work ordered are $200,000 or less using the small works roster process.  The small works roster process allows state agencies or authorized local governments to maintain a small works roster consisting of all responsible contractors who have requested to be on the list.  Before awarding a contract under this process, the agency or authorized government must solicit a minimum of five quotations from contractors on the small works roster capable of performing the needed work.

For public works projects where the materials purchased and work ordered are $35,000 or less, a state agency or authorized local government (public hospital district) may use the limited public works process.  The limited public works process requires solicitation of at least three quotations from contractors on the small works roster before a contract can be awarded.

Summary:  The estimated amount of the materials purchased and work ordered required to trigger competitive bidding requirements is increased to $50,000.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate425

House930

Effective:  June 13, 2002