SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5930

As of February 15, 2001

Title:  An act relating to alternative public works contracting procedures.

Brief Description:  Revising alternative public works contracting procedures.

Sponsors:  Senators Patterson and Horn.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/19/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Background:  Differing procedures are established for state agencies and various local governments to award contracts for public works projects.

Several different state agencies and local governments have been authorized to use alternative public works contracting procedures to award contracts on certain public works contracts of a very large dollar value.  One alternative procedure is the "design‑build" procedure.  Another alternative procedure is the "general contractor/construction manager" (GCCM) procedure.  Authority to use these alternative public works contracting procedures terminates on July 1, 2001.

The GCCM procedure is a multi‑step competitive process to award a contract for a single firm to provide services during the design phase, as well as acting as both the construction manager and general contractor during the construction phase, for a public facility that meets certain criteria.  The contractor guarantees the project budget under this procedure.

The design‑build procedure is a multi‑step competitive process to award a contract for a single firm to design and construct a public facility or portion of a public facility that meets certain criteria.

The Department of General Administration, University of Washington, Washington State University, every county with a population greater than 450,000 (King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties), every city with a population greater than 150,000 (Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane), and any port district with a population greater than 500,000 (Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma) may use the alternative public works contracting procedures.

A temporary independent oversight committee reviews the use of these alternative public works procedures and makes recommendations to the Legislature on governmental contracting procedures.

Summary of Bill:  Authority to use the alternative public works contracting procedures is extended for six years until July 1, 2007.

The temporary independent oversight committee is renamed as the public works procurement committee.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on July 1, 2001.