BILL REQ. #:  H-0293.1 

Prefiled 1/3/2003. Read first time 01/13/2003.   Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

     AN ACT Relating to services available to WorkFirst recipients; and amending RCW 74.08A.290.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 74.08A.290 and 1997 c 58 s 316 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) It is the intent of the legislature that the department ((is authorized to)) may engage in competitive contracting using performance-based contracts to provide ((all work activities authorized in chapter 58, Laws of 1997, including the job search component authorized in section 312 of this act)) services as described in RCW 74.08A.250 to WorkFirst recipients.
     (2) The department may use competitive performance-based contracting to select which vendors will participate in the WorkFirst program. Performance-based contracts shall be awarded based on factors that include but are not limited to the criteria listed in RCW 74.08A.410, past performance of the contractor, demonstrated ability to perform the contract effectively, financial strength of the contractor, and merits of the proposal for services submitted by the contractor. Contracts shall be made without regard to whether the contractor is a public or private entity.
     (3) The department may contract for an evaluation of the competitive contracting practices and outcomes to be performed by an independent entity with expertise in government privatization and competitive strategies. The evaluation shall include quarterly progress reports to the fiscal committees of the legislature and to the governor, starting at the first quarter after the effective date of the first competitive contract and ending two years after the effective date of the first competitive contract.
     (4) The department shall seek independent assistance in developing contracting strategies to implement this section. Assistance may include but is not limited to development of contract language, design of requests for proposal, developing full cost information on government services, evaluation of bids, and providing for equal competition between private and public entities.