The City of Seattle announced last week that it is eliminating its Small Works Roster program for public works construction projects valued at less than $300,000.
Limited Use: City officials indicated that the demise of the 10 year old Small Works Roster was due its limited use. Last year, the City bid only six projects through the Small Works Roster.
More Use of Job Order Contracting: Increasingly, the City has been using its two Job Order Contracts as the tool to complete smaller public works projects. Advantages of Job Order Contracting over the Small Works Roster include the ability to have the contractor participate in the design process and increased use of women and minority owned businesses. Only certain public agencies in the state are authorized to use Job Order Contracting (RCW 39.10.420).
Custom Rosters: When the City's Small Works Roster ends on March 1, 2012, the City will continue to rely on Job Order Contracting and City crews for completing smaller construction projects. In addition, the City will develop a few custom rosters for work at remote locations.
State Law: Washington State law, RCW 39.04.155, permits public agencies to solicit bids from contractors on their Small Works Rosters as an alternative to advertising public works projects less than $300,000. Just like an advertised project, a Small Works Roster project must be awarded to the low responsible bidder submitting a responsive bid.
More Information: The February 23, 2012 issue of the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce includes an article on the City of Seattle's decision to drop its Small Works Roster.
Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog© 2012 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLChttp://PublicContracting.blogspot.com
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