SENATE BILL REPORT
EHB 1786
BYRepresentatives Holland, Cole, Leonard, Lux, Pruitt, Taylor, Dorn, Todd, Ferguson, Miller, Wineberry, Winsley, Nealey, Rasmussen and Ebersole
Exempting vocational-technical institutes from competitive bidding in the case of sole source suppliers.
House Committe on Education
Senate Committee on Education
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 24, 1988
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Kiskaddon, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Gaspard, Lee, Rinehart.
Senate Staff:Don Bennett (786-7424)
February 24, 1988
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 24, 1988
BACKGROUND:
School districts are required to go through a competitive bid process for the purchase of any furniture, supplies, equipment, building, improvements, or repairs.
Notice of intent to receive bids must be published for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the district. Contracts for the work or purchase must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, but the board may reject all bids and make further calls for bids.
Vocational-technical institutes operated by school districts occasionally have a sole source of supply for materials or equipment. Rather than negotiating directly with the sole supplier, the school district must go through the competitive bid process.
SUMMARY:
The competitive bid requirements would not apply to vocational-technical institutes if the supplier is clearly and justifiably the sole source to provide the facilities, services, or equipment.
Justification shall be based on either the uniqueness of the purchase or the sole availability of the facilities, services, or equipment at the location required. The purchasing school district shall negotiate to receive the best possible price.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: available
Senate Committee - Testified: Tim Strege, Council of Area Vocational-Technical Institutes (for); Kathleen Preston, Washington Vocational Association (for)