H-1965.1                  _______________________________________________

                                             SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1879

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State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Springer, Edmondson, Bray, Romero, Sheldon, Long and Kremen)

Read first time 03/03/93.

Affording local firms a meaningful opportunity to compete for and obtain public contracts for architectural and engineering services.

          AN ACT Relating to contracts for architectural and engineering services; and amending RCW 39.80.040.

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

        Sec. 1.  RCW 39.80.040 and 1981 c 61 s 4 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.  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.  Agency procedures and guidelines may also include a plan to ensure that local firms are afforded a meaningful opportunity to compete for and obtain public contracts for services.

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