Legislation Would Expand Bid Negotiations to Municipalities

For a number of years, state agencies in Washington State have had the ability, under RCW 39.04.015 to negotiate with the low bidder on a public works project based on agreed changes to the plans and specifications under the following conditions:

1. All bids exceed the available funds,
2. The apparent low responsive bid does not exceed the available funds by a) 5% on projects under $1 million, b) the greater of $50,000 or 2.5% for projects between $1 million and $5 million, or c) the greater of $125,000 or 1% for projects over $5 million, AND
3. The negotiated adjustment will bring the bid price within the available funds.
   

House Bill 1200, which will be heard by the House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee on January 23, 2009 at 1:30 p.m., would expand this authority from only state agencies to include municipalities as well.