HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1073

Changing alternative bid processes for public

hospital districts

Brief Title                             Hearing Date:  1/26/99

Reps.  D. Schmidt and Romero             Staff:  Scott MacColl

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7106

BACKGROUND:

Cities, counties and special districts have three distinct options for contracting public works projects, all based on cost of the project.  Generally, anything under a certain dollar figure may be handled by public works employees.  Above that limit, and up to a higher limit, districts may use the >small works roster process= in lieu of the sealed bid process.  Anything above the higher limit, the sealed bid process must be used to award the contract.

However, hospital district law permits contracts in excess of $50,000, rather than less than $50,000, to be awarded using the small works roster process.

The small works roster process, as defined in RCW 39.04.155, is a single roster that a hospital district maintains of all responsible contractors that request to be on the list.  When a contract is up for bid, the district secures quotes from at least five contractors from the list.  Once a contractor bids on a proposal, they cannot bid again until all contractors on the list have an opportunity to submit a bid on a contract.  However, if the district desires, they may solicit bids from all contractors on the list for each contract.

SUMMARY:

Public Hospital District contracting processes are changed as follows:

(1) Changes the value of contracts that may be awarded using the small works roster process from an amount in excess of $50,000 to projects estimated to cost less than $50,000.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

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