HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1879

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Local Government

Title:  An act relating to contractors for architectural and engineering services.

Brief Description:  Affording local firms the maximum practicable opportunity to compete for and obtain public contracts for architectural and engineering services.

Sponsors:  Representatives Springer, Edmondson, Bray, Romero, Sheldon, Long and Kremen.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Local Government, March 1, 1993, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives H. Myers, Chair; Bray, Vice Chair; Edmondson, Ranking Minority Member; Reams, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dunshee; R. Fisher; Horn; Rayburn; Romero; Springer; Van Luven; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786-7092).

Background:  State and local governments are required to publish their requirements for architectural and engineering services.  The announcement must concisely state the scope and nature of the project for which the services are required and the address of a representative who can provide further detail.

The state or local government evaluates the statements of qualifications and performance data on file along with any that may be submitted by other firms regarding the proposed project.  The state or local government enters into discussions with one or more firms concerning the project, and then selects the firm most qualified to perform the project.  After the firm is chosen, the state or local government negotiates a price for the project.  If a satisfactory price for the project cannot be negotiated, then negotiations may be commenced with the next qualified firm.

The state and local governments must include, as part of their agency procedures and guidelines, a plan to insure that minority and women-owned firms are afforded the maximum practicable opportunity to compete for and obtain architectural and engineering contracts.  The level of participation must be consistent with their general availability within the professional community.  There is no similar provision to encourage the hiring of local architectural and engineering firms.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  State and local governments may include, as part of their procedures and guidelines, a plan to ensure that local firms are afforded a reasonable opportunity to compete and obtain public contracts for architectural and engineering services.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The phrase "reasonable" is used instead of "maximum practicable opportunity."

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This clarifies the law.  Some local governments thought that they were required to hire the most prestigious firms in downtown Seattle.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (Pro):  Jim Justin, Association of Washington Cities; and Cliff Webster, Architects and Engineering Legislative Council.