| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Local Government Committee | |
HB 2274
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.
Brief Description: Increasing competitive bid limits for the purchase of materials, equipment, or supplies.
Sponsors: Representatives McIntire, B. Sullivan and Lovick.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/26/07
Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).
Background:
Purchase Contracts and Competitive Bidding by Local Governments
Local governments generally are allowed to purchase materials, supplies, and equipment
below a certain dollar value without following a competitive bidding procedure. Formal
competitive bidding procedures must be followed for purchases above a certain dollar value,
with exceptions for emergency purchases and sole source purchases.
"Vendor List" Purchasing Contract Procedure
Legislation was enacted in 1993 establishing a uniform vendor list procedure for a number of
different types of local governments to award medium dollar valued contracts for purchasing
materials, supplies, equipment, or services.
A vendor list is established by publishing a notice, at least twice a year, soliciting vendors for
inclusion on the list and initiating procedures for securing telephone or written quotations from
at least three different vendors on the list. The purpose of this process is the ensure that a
competitive price is established and the award is made to the lowest responsible bidder.
Requirements for Small Value County Purchasing Contracts
State law requires that a county must dispense with the formal bidding process and, instead, use
the uniform "vendor list" contracting procedure for purchases of between two thousand five
hundred dollars and twenty-five thousand dollars.
The county legislative authority is given broad discretion with respect to purchases of less than
two thousand five hundred dollars and no specific procedures are required by statute.
Summary of Bill:
Increases the threshold purchase amount from two thousand five hundred dollars to five
thousand dollars before a county must use specified vendor list procedures in awarding purchase
contracts.
Eliminates specified contracting requirements with respect to county purchases of less than five
thousand dollars.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.