Emergency Declaration for A/E Contracts

Washington State law requires that four disciplines (architects, engineers, landscape architects, and land surveyors) be selected based on which firm is the most qualified, without considering price as an evaluation criterion. Chapter 39.80 RCW does provide, however, that in the event of an emergency, a public agency may waive the selection procedures outlined in state law. RCW 39.80.060 states that a public agency may waive the selection procedures in chapter 39.80 RCW "when the contracting authority makes a finding in accordance with this or any other applicable law that an emergency requires the immediate execution of the work involved."

There are, of course, separate laws that apply for waiving the competitive bidding requirements for execution of a public works project in the event of an emergency.