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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Purchasing and Contracting

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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 DOL, 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.

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The Breakdown of Compost Product Purchasing

The Breakdown of Compost Product Purchasing

January 4, 2023  by  Josh Klika
Category:  Climate Change ,  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.

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New Law Requires Compost Procurement Ordinances by January 1

New Law Requires Compost Procurement Ordinances by January 1

November 29, 2022  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Climate Change ,  Purchasing and Contracting

A new state law covering organic materials management requires compost procurement ordinances for certain cities, towns, and counties by January 1, 2023. These ordinances must set forth how compost will be procured, purchased, and incorporated into applicable projects.

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New Resource Helps Local Government and Private Contractors Dig Into Public Works

New Resource Helps Local Government and Private Contractors Dig Into Public Works

August 31, 2022  by  Josh Klika
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

In partnership with the Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), MRSC is launching "Digging Into Public Works," an initiative that will connect, educate, and engage local government staff and private contractors in the field of public works.

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Saying Yes to Responsive & Responsible Bids

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. 

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

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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2022 Legislation Impacting Public Works Contracting

2022 Legislation Impacting Public Works Contracting

April 28, 2022  by  Josh Klika
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

SB 5693 includes funding for a new partnership between MRSC and the Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center to bring expanded training, outreach, and technical assistance on public works contracting for  Washington local governments. 

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The ABCs of Piggybacking

The ABCs of Piggybacking

March 10, 2022  by  Josh Klika
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  Interlocal Cooperation

Piggybacking allows an agency to use another agency's contract to procure products, services, and public works. However, contracts should be carefully reviewed to make sure these are adaptable and beneficial and to ensure the procurement process was compliant with the law. 

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No Responses to Your Bid: What Next?

No Responses to Your Bid: What Next?

January 10, 2022  by  Josh Klika
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting

Does your procurement process suffer from an empty inbox? This blog provides some practical guidance and next steps to consider when there are no responses to your bid.

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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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Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirements in the Event of an Emergency

Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirements in the Event of an Emergency

April 6, 2020  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  COVID-19 ,  Emergency Management

This blog post reviews the rules relating to waiving competitive bidding requirements during emergency situations.

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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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