HB 2211

HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2211

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Community & Economic Development & Trade

Brief Description: Supporting small business through the statewide procurement of technical assistance.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Kenney, Chair; Pettigrew, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; McDonald, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chase, Darneille, Haler, Rolfes and P. Sullivan.

Background:

The Defense Logistics Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, administers the Department of Defense Procurement Technical Assistance (PTA) programs. The PTA Centers are a local resource available at no or nominal cost that can provide assistance to business firms in marketing products and services to the federal, state and local governments.

The Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) provide: computerized bid match services; interpretation of solicitations; assistance with government registrations and certifications; training and seminars; marketing assistance; and assistance in locating the necessary documents for solicitations.

Summary of Bill:

A statewide procurement technical assistance services pilot project in Snohomish County is created. The pilot project will end June 30, 2008. The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development must report to the Legislature by January 1, 2008, the results of the pilot project, including the number of businesses served, contracts written, the monetary value of contracts, and a plan for sustainable and ongoing funding.

Appropriation: The sum of $150,000 is appropriated from the State General Fund to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development for Fiscal Year 2008.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill helps local communities by increasing the opportunities for small businesses in Washington to access federal, state and local procurement programs. In 2006, PTACs served 1,000 firms resulting in $166 million in contract awards and almost 4,000 jobs. This was done through one-on-one technical assistance, training, providing opportunities for businesses to meet with buyers, and working with agencies and identifying their challenges in working with local small businesses. All 50 states have a PTAC program and nearly all these programs receive state funding in addition to the federal moneys. Currently, Washington does not provide any state-level funding for this program.

The Snohomish County Economic Development Council manages Washington's Statewide PTAC with a head office in Everett. Currently, there are nine centers located in Aberdeen, Everett, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima. These centers are heavily self-funded by the local economic development councils. They provide free assistance to anyone that has questions regarding doing business with government. The federal procurement system is complex and difficult for many small businesses to access. Not receiving additional funding from the state does not mean these services will end, but it will mean that the impact of the program will be less and opportunities for expanding our small businesses will be lost.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative B. Sullivan; Erin Nielsen, Washington State Procurement Technical Assistance Center/Snohomish County Economic Development Council; Teena Kennedy, Washington State Procurement Center/Thurston County Economic Development Council; Peggy Hansen, Sky Patterns and Model Structures and Communication Steathing; Craig Dawson, Retail Lockbox; and Danny Farrow, Farrow Concrete Specialties.