(Revised)        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB 1808

Public Works Projects/$5,000/state agencies          Public Hrg: 2/28/97

Brief Title

Reps. D. Sommers/D. Schmidt/Sherstad                 Staff Contact: Bill Lynch

Sponsor                                    Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7092

BACKGROUND:

Public works projects by institutions of higher education with an estimated value of $25,000 or more must be let by contract.  Projects with an estimated value of less than $25,000 may be awarded in any fashion, or may be done in-house.  If the estimated value of the project is less than $100,000 the contract may be awarded through a small works roster.  Projects with an estimated value of $100,000 or more must be let through formal competitive bidding procedures. 

State agencies may use a small works roster to award public works contracts with an estimated value of $100,000 or less.  If a public works project has an estimated value of more than $100,000, it must be awarded through a formal competitive bidding process.  Although the statutes provide a certain exception from competitive bidding and the small works roster process for contracts with an estimated value over $25,000, there is no express dollar threshold which specifies when state agencies must let public works projects by contract.

SUMMARY:

Any public work by a state agency with an estimated cost in excess of $5000 must be let by contract either through a small works roster or formal competitive bidding.  The public work includes the cost of materials, supplies, equipment, and labor.

FISCAL NOTE:  Requested February 24, 1997.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.