H-956                _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1401

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Nealey, Haugen, Rayburn, D. Sommers, Raiter and R. Fisher

Read first time 1/23/89 and referred to Committee on State Government.

AN ACT Relating to criteria for procuring public contracts; and amending RCW 39.80.040.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 4, chapter 61, Laws of 1981 and RCW 39.80.040 are each amended to read as follows:

          In the procurement of architectural and engineering services, the agency shall encourage firms engaged in the lawful practice of their profession to submit annually a statement of qualifications and performance data.  The agency shall evaluate current statements of qualifications and performance data on file with the agency, together with those that may be submitted by other firms regarding the proposed project, and shall conduct discussions with one or more firms regarding anticipated concepts and the relative utility of alternative methods of approach for furnishing the required services and then shall select therefrom, based upon criteria established by the agency, the firm deemed to be the most highly qualified to provide the services required for the proposed project.  When making selections under this section, an agency may consider the costs proposed to be charged for such services by the highly qualified firms that submit statements.  Such agency procedures and guidelines shall include a plan to insure that minority and women-owned firms are afforded the maximum practicable opportunity to compete for and obtain public contracts for services.  The level of participation by minority and women-owned firms shall be consistent with their general availability within the professional communities involved.