HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1386

BYRepresentatives Phillips, Ferguson, Horn and Haugen

Amending the requirement for creating small works roster.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Ferguson, Ranking Republican Member; Horn, Nealey, Nelson, Nutley, Phillips, Rayburn, Todd, Wolfe, Wood and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT FEBRUARY 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Many local governments are required to award contracts for public works projects that exceed a specified amount to the lowest responsible bidder as determined under a formal public bidding process that involves publishing notices, requesting bids on the project, obtaining sealed bids, and opening the sealed bids at a public meeting.

Some local governments are permitted to award public works projects of a limited amount under a less formal process referred to as a small works roster process, that involves soliciting bids from contractors who have registered their names with the local government.  Cities and towns can award public works projects of a value of up to $100,000 using a small works roster process.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  Counties are permitted to use a small works roster to award contracts for any project the estimated cost of which is less than $100,000.

Each county is permitted to maintain a small works roster of contractors requesting to be on the roster and which are licensed to perform work in this state.  Whenever construction is done by contract for which the cost is $100,000 or less, and the county uses a small works roster, the county invites proposals from appropriate contractors on the roster.  Whenever possible not less than five separate appropriate contractors shall be requested to submit proposals on any individual contact. Whenever possible at least one proposal from a qualified minority or woman contractor shall be invited.

When awarding such a contract, the managing official shall give weight to the contractor submitting the lowest responsible bid. Whenever it would not violate the public interest, such contract shall be distributed equally among the contractors, including minority or women contractors, on the small works roster.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The bill is made consistent that the maximum value of a contract which can be awarded under the small works roster process is $100,000.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ron Main, King County; Ernie Geissler, County Road Administration Board; and Dick Ducharme, Utility Contractors Association of Washington.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This is agreed upon language.  With these changes, contractors can support the bill.  Small works rosters are appropriate toward medium-sized contracts.  This procedure is less costly, but fair.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.