MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Josh Klika

Procurement Pointers: Creating a Policy That Leads to the Best Ending

March 3, 2026 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

How can local agencies build effective procurement policies? What rules apply to each contract type? When can bidding be waived? Good policy helps staff navigate the procurement adventure with clarity.

Contracting Keys: ACT to Award Local Government Agency Contracts

January 7, 2026 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

What are the key essentials for a local government to act on when it comes to contracting for public works projects or to acquire equipment, supplies, and services through purchase, rental, or lease agreements with businesses?

Changes to Federal Procurement Thresholds: What Local Governments Need to Know

November 5, 2025 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

Will your agency be using federal funds for a local procurement project? Federal acquisition-related thresholds have changed, and your procurement procedures should be updated to reflect this. This could be good news, especially for agencies using the small works roster process.

Simplicity and Streamlining: Using Small Works, Vendor, and Consultant Rosters

September 17, 2025 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

Which rosters should an agency use to contract for engineering services? Which should be used to purchase materials? The complicated world of government contracting is slightly less confusing when an agency knows which roster works best and what it must do to use it.

2025 Legislative Session Outcomes for Procurement

July 14, 2025 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

New in 2025 are five bills that will broadly impact local government procurement in areas related to bidder responsibility, subcontractor requirements, prevailing wages, and more.

When the Price Is Right: Planning for Price Escalation in Contracts

May 21, 2025 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

When market conditions are in flux and the costs of materials are rising, how can local governments plan and prepare for price increases in contracts for short and long-term projects?

Navigating Intents and Affidavits for Prevailing Wages

March 17, 2025 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

What does it mean to be an "awarding agency," and how does this agency confirm that the statutorily required prevailing wage filing requirements are met on public works and applicable maintenance contracts?

Options for Waiving Retainage and Bonds on Public Works Projects

December 17, 2024 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

Local government agencies can waive or reduce retainage and bond requirements for small works roster contracts and public works contracts under $150,000, balancing efficiency with potential liability.

A magnifying glass against financial figures and stacks of coins

2024 Legislative Session Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting

June 26, 2024 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

How will 2024 legislation impact procurement and contracting in Washington? Contractors sanctioned for violating prevailing wage laws may see additional sanctions, prompt payment provisions have been strengthened, and change orders requirements have been updated.

“Level Up” to Avoid Bid Splitting

February 21, 2024 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

Bid splitting, or dividing up a public works project into parts solely for the purpose of getting the individual purchase or contract award below bidding requirements, could result in a potential audit finding as well as add costs. Leveling up is one way to avoid a split bid.

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Small Works Rosters Are Changing: Are You Ready?

January 2, 2024 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

Thanks to legislation in 2023, changes are coming to small works contracting requirements for state agencies and local government entities, and these agencies/entities only have until July 1 of this year to prepare.

A circled calendar date with the phrase, Learn something new!

Local Governments Can Now Dig Into Free Public Works Training

October 5, 2023 by Josh Klika
Category: MRSC News and Updates , Purchasing and Contracting

MRSC has received funding to offer training and technical assistance on public works contracting and to help local governments comply with SB 5268, which modifies small works roster requirements, and HB 1050, which expands apprenticeship utilization to municipalities.

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2023 Legislative Session Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting, Part 2

June 22, 2023 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

Part two of this series covers five new pieces of legislation that impact procurement and contracting, from increased project limits for community service organization contracts to standardized limits for procurement contracts and expanded contractor registration requirements.

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MRSC, SAO Update Online Contracting Requirements Tool

June 14, 2023 by Josh Klika
Category: MRSC News and Updates , Purchasing and Contracting

MRSC, with the help of the Washington State Auditors Office, have made improvements to a popular online tool that helps local governments identify and understand their statutory legal requirements for purchasing and contracting.

Female apprentice carpenter installs handrails while colleague advises her

2023 Legislative Session Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting, Part 1

June 6, 2023 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

The 2023 legislation impacting contracting includes SB 5268, which expands the number of agencies able to use a small works roster and conditions under which it can be used, and HB 1050, which expands the apprenticeship utilization requirements to more local government entities.

Close up of person's hand checking off a square box on virtual interface while working on a laptop

Clarifications for Filing the Notice of Completion

May 3, 2023 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

It can sometimes be confusing to know which contracts require an agency file a Notice of Completion with the DOR, L&I, and the ESD, especially if the contract involves purchased services or public works.

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Can an Expired Contract Come Back to Life?

March 8, 2023 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

When a contract expires, is it a good idea to create an amendment that will bring the contract back to life? A look at the pros and cons.

The Breakdown of Compost Product Purchasing

January 4, 2023 by Josh Klika
Category: Climate and Sustainability , Purchasing and Contracting

Any agency required to adopt a Compost Procurement Ordinance must also use compost for four specified types of projects and will need to report to the state on compost-related purchases. These agencies have some options in terms of where and how to purchase the product.

Saying Yes to Responsive & Responsible Bids

July 20, 2022 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

In awarding contracts for public works projects or contracts for goods and services, a local government must determine both if the bid is responsive and the bidder is responsible. Fortunately, there are guidelines to help with this process.

Does the Contract Need to End, or Can It Live Forever?

June 9, 2022 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting

Contracts come with terms which sometimes cover a long period of time. This blog will explore what to consider when choosing the term of a contract.

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