SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5816

                       AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 1991

Brief Description:  Allowing the county to award to multiple bidders for the procurement of road maintenance materials.

SPONSORS:Senator McCaslin.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Roach, Vice Chairman; Madsen, Matson, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Martin Lovinger (786‑7443)

Hearing Dates:March 4, 1991; March 5, 1991

BACKGROUND:

There are situations in which an apparent low bid for the supplying of road maintenance materials may not actually be the lowest if the cost of hauling is taken into consideration.

SUMMARY:

A county may use haul distance as a factor in bid specifications and, when doing so, may award the contract to multiple bidders to achieve the lowest cost for the county.  A county may readvertise for additional bidders if it is in the public interest.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill would allow counties to achieve the lowest cost when purchasing road maintenance materials by taking into account the location of the worksites.  Purchasing from suppliers closer to the worksite could reduce costs by reducing the cost of hauling materials.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Vern Wagar, County Road Administration Board; Ron Main, King County