Brief Description: Increasing competitive bid limits for the purchase of materials, equipment, or supplies.

Sponsors: Senator Haugen.

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections
House Committee on Local Government

Background: Counties must follow a certain bidding process when purchasing materials, equipment, or supplies, depending on the dollar value of the contract. For purchase contracts over $25,000, counties must use a formal competitive bidding process. A solicitation for bids must be advertised in the official county newspaper; bids must be in writing and filed with the county clerk; and the contract must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.

For purchases between $2,500 and $25,000, counties may dispense with formal competitive bidding if they use an alternative uniform process. That process requires the county to obtain at least three bids from a list of qualified vendors, and to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.

For purchases under $2,500, counties may dispense with formal competitive bidding upon the order of the county legislative authority.

Summary: Counties may dispense with formal competitive bidding upon the order of the county legislative authority for any purchase under $5,000. Additionally, an incorrect reference in RCW 36.32.245(4) to a subsection in RCW 39.35A.020 is corrected.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      46   0
House      95   0   

Effective:   July 22, 2007