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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Judy Isaac

Legislative Changes in 2021 for Public Works Contracting

Legislative Changes in 2021 for Public Works Contracting

July 22, 2021  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This blog covers several new laws and amendments made to existing laws that relate to public works contracting. 

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What to Consider When Waiving Retainage and Bonds

What to Consider When Waiving Retainage and Bonds

May 6, 2021  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

This blog focuses on why (or why not) an agency might waive retainage and bonds for a public works project.

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Local Government Contract Awards – Who is Eligible

Local Government Contract Awards – Who is Eligible

January 21, 2021  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

This blog looks at different types of local government contract awards: public works, services, and purchases. 

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Details of a Public Works Bid

Details of a Public Works Bid

October 22, 2020  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

This blog post covers some regulations and typical details that make up a public works bid. 

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2020 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting

2020 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting

June 15, 2020  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post provides an overview of several bills from the 2020 legislative session that impact local government purchasing and contracting. 

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2019 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting - Part 3: SHB 1295

2019 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting - Part 3: SHB 1295

August 6, 2019  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

As part of a series on 2019 legislation that impacts municipal contracting and procurement, this blog post provides an overview of SHB 1295, which makes procedural revisions to the alternate public works contracting methods of Design Build and Job-Order Contracting.

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2019 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting - Part 2

2019 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting - Part 2

July 19, 2019  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In Part 2 of this series covering new bills impacting local government procurement and contracting, this blog post covers ESSB 5418, ESB 5958, ESSB 5035, and SSB 5017. 

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2019 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting - Part I: ESSB 5418

2019 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting - Part I: ESSB 5418

July 10, 2019  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This post provides details for ESSB 5418, a complicated bill from the 2019 Legislative Session that impacts unit-price contracts, bid thresholds, and other topics involving municipal procurement. 

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Bidder Responsibility Criteria Changing July 1

Bidder Responsibility Criteria Changing July 1

May 31, 2019  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

Beginning in July, agencies awarding contracts to bidders must first confirm that the bidder has completed a required training on prevailing wage and public works requirements or that the bidder is exempt from this training. 

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A Review of 2018 Legislative Outcomes Related to Public Works

A Review of 2018 Legislative Outcomes Related to Public Works

September 11, 2018  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

The 2018 legislative session made some additions and some changes affecting public works contracting. MRSC Public Works Consultant Judy Isaac recaps the rulings and highlights some of the impacts in the post.

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Using RFPs as a Competitive Procurement Tool

Using RFPs as a Competitive Procurement Tool

April 3, 2018  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

In this post, Public Works Consultant Judy Isaac examines how an agency can use a Request for Proposals (RFP) as a competitive procurement tool.

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Service Contracting for Personal and Purchased Services

Service Contracting for Personal and Purchased Services

January 31, 2018  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

Agencies have wide latitude in setting their own policies and procedures when it comes to selecting and contracting for personal and purchased services. This article defines what type of work falls under each service and how that impacts the type of contract used.

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Selecting A & E Services

Selecting A & E Services

November 28, 2017  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

Public Works Consultant Judy Isaac simplifies the complicated process for procuring architectural and engineering services for projects not funded by federal dollars. 

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Rosters for Public Works, A&E, and Purchases

Rosters for Public Works, A&E, and Purchases

October 5, 2017  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

Use of a roster service offers a less restrictive and time-consuming method than the formal, competitive bid process. Public Works Consultant Judy Isaac reviews the types of rosters that are available to local governments in Washington State. 

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New Legislation Impacts Purchasing, Contracting

New Legislation Impacts Purchasing, Contracting

July 26, 2017  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Purchasing and contracting procedures for Washington local governments changed on July 23, 2017.  Public Works Consultant Judy Isaac reviews the changes. 

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