tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32719000523744472742024-03-04T12:23:35.320-08:00Mike Purdy's Public Contracting BlogContracting and Procurement resources - for Government Agencies and BusinessesMike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.comBlogger2070125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-66717235389766217522023-08-07T12:19:00.000-07:002023-08-07T12:19:10.369-07:00Obituary for Mike Purdy<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73lQULfiduEAWzrZNdO4wr91JuXn5W4OE8qwwfPv56-bzcpz5HSy5H6CWcrEwq3f2ldHvxYwWnlJGYd0Ep1jgx9GO3lccECpYKTL9erNu3UiBoCM_iBJEr9lHNrVl9TptGmSpakYv0SV-Rblooh43sz7vvIhpeQc2vWYEsI6LnQyS0OVyvdw6in5KHoWO/s533/Mike-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="400" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73lQULfiduEAWzrZNdO4wr91JuXn5W4OE8qwwfPv56-bzcpz5HSy5H6CWcrEwq3f2ldHvxYwWnlJGYd0Ep1jgx9GO3lccECpYKTL9erNu3UiBoCM_iBJEr9lHNrVl9TptGmSpakYv0SV-Rblooh43sz7vvIhpeQc2vWYEsI6LnQyS0OVyvdw6in5KHoWO/w164-h218/Mike-2.jpg" width="164" /></a></div><br />Michael Edward Purdy finished his 69-year journey on this
planet when his Creator called him home on August 2, 2023, at his home in
Seattle, Washington. Despite a lifetime of excellent health, stage 4 metastatic
prostate cancer eventually ended his grand adventure, following a May 2019
diagnosis.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a husband, father, grandfather, manager, historian, and writer,
Mike had a profound impact on those around him. He was kind and gentle, an
optimist, a deep listener, intelligent, and found humor in life. He saw all of
life as ultimately theological and sought daily to live out his faith in his
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mike was born to Allen Roger Kirschner and Louise Anne (Lynch
Winter) Kirschner, in Akron, Colorado, where his father taught English at the
local high school. A little over a month after his birth, the family, including
his older brother Stephen Allen, moved to New York for a few months to be
closer to Mike’s paternal grandparents (Jack and Frances Kirschner), then to
Greenwich, Connecticut until 1961, when they moved to Princeton, New Jersey
where Mike’s father took a position as chairman of the English department at
Princeton High School. In May of 1964, with his parents’ marriage
disintegrating, his mother moved with Mike and Steve to California, where she
had grown up.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mike graduated from San Marino High School where he served
as ASB president. After graduation in 1972, Mike attended the University of
Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA), where he was elected student body president. He
served as a congressional intern in Washington, DC in the summer of 1973 during
the Watergate scandal and sat in on hearings of the Senate Watergate Committee.
He graduated in 1976 with a double major in business administration and public
administration.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After graduating, he met his wife, Catherine, and they were
married in May 1978. He obtained a Master of Business Administration degree
from the University of Puget Sound in 1979. Upon graduation, he embarked on
what would become a 30-year career managing government contracts, first for the
City of Seattle for more than 21 years, then the Seattle Housing Authority, and
finally the University of Washington (UW).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mike and Catherine moved to West Seattle in 1980, where they
bought a house and started their family. They had two children, Janet (1982) and
David (1985). During the 1980s, with significant support from Catherine, he
also obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mike retired as contracts manager from the UW in February
2010 and launched a successful public contracting consulting business for the
next decade, advising government agencies, providing training, and writing a
popular industry blog.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In retirement, Mike also launched another career as a U.S.
presidential historian, starting a web site (presidentialhistory.com), authoring
two <a href="https://presidentialhistory.com/about">books</a>, writing articles,
and participating in media interviews.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After being diagnosed with cancer in 2019, he struggled with
the emotional and spiritual roller-coaster of terminal illness. With the
support of his wife Catherine, other family members, and many friends, he sought
to find joy on the journey while pondering his legacy in the world. In 2022, he
wrote a candid memoir about his “uncertain journey.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mike was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by
his loving wife of 45 years, Catherine; daughter Janet Purdy of Jordanville, NY;
son David Purdy (Melissa) of Seattle, WA; grandson Michael Purdy; brother Steve
Kirschner of Oceano, CA; sister Tambra Faezeli of Portland, OR; other
relatives, and a host of dear friends with whom he was privileged to walk
through this life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at Bethany
Presbyterian Church in Seattle on Saturday, August 26 at 3:00 p.m. and will be
live streamed. More details at <a href="https://www.mpurdy.com/memorial/">mpurdy.com/memorial</a>.
<o:p></o:p></p><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-90231067998052469152023-03-09T17:01:00.001-08:002023-03-09T17:01:52.459-08:002 New Books I've Written<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></p></div><div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></p></div><div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></p></div><p><font size="3" style="font-family: verdana;"><font><u>Public Works Resource Guide:</u> I have written a Public Works Resource Guide for Washington state's Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC). The online book is being edited now and hopefully will be available by late spring or early summer at <a href="http://mrsc.org" target="_blank">mrsc.org</a>. It is a best practices guide to everything about public construction contracting. The main sections of the book are as follows:</font></font></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><font size="3" style="font-family: verdana;"><font>Foundations<br />Competition<br />Bidding<br />Documents<br />Implementation<br />Compliance<br />Resources<br /></font></font></p><p><font size="3"><font face="verdana"></font></font></p><p><font size="3" style="font-family: verdana;"><font><u>Memoir:</u> I have also written a candid and vulnerable memoir titled <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Uncertain-Journey-Mike-Purdy/dp/1667884719" target="_blank"><i>Reflections of an Uncertain Journey</i> </a>about my now almost four-year journey dealing with a lethal and incurable cancer (metastatic prostate cancer).</font></font></p><p><font size="3" style="font-family: verdana;"><font>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Uncertain-Journey-Mike-Purdy/dp/1667884719" target="_blank">book </a>will be released by the publisher on March 17, 2023, but is now available for preorder. Paperback or eBook. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Uncertain-Journey-Mike-Purdy/dp/1667884719" target="_blank">Amazon link</a>.</font></font></p><p><font size="3" style="font-family: verdana;"><font>The following is the table of contents for the book:<br /></font></font></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>Preface</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>Introduction</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>My Journey Past <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Uncertain-Journey-Mike-Purdy/dp/1667884719" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img class="a-dynamic-image image-stretch-vertical frontImage" data-a-dynamic-image="{"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51e5fy-TAKL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg":[232,346],"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51e5fy-TAKL._SX332_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg":[334,499]}" height="400" id="imgBlkFront" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51e5fy-TAKL._SX332_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" style="left: 0px; max-height: 346px; max-width: 232px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; top: 0px;" width="269" /></a><span><span>1. Health History<br /></span></span><span><span>2. Vocational History<br />3. Faith History<br />4. Emotional History</span></span></span></p><div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>Physical Journey</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>5. Diagnosis<br />6. Traditional Treatments<br />7. Alternative Treatments<br />8. Advocacy<br />9. Co-Healing<br />10. Pain<br />11. Waiting</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>Emotional Journey</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>12. Sadness<br />13. Unfairness<br />14. Grief<br />15. Despair<br />16. Tears<br />17. Future-Tripping<br />18. Counseling</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>Spiritual Journey</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>19. Equilibrium<br />20. Submission<br />21. Heaven<br />22. Dreams</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span> <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>Companions for the Journey</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>23. Deepening Friendships<br />24. No Regrets<br />25. Cultivating Friendships<br />26. Rotating Friends<br />27. Friends Ease Loneliness<br />28. Tangible Tokens<br />29. The Fire Pit<br />30. Support Groups</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>My Journey Remembered</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>31. Legacy<br />32. Legacy of Lives<br />33. Legacy of Words<br />34. Legacy of Possessions</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>The Journey Ahead</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>35. Relief<br />36. Joy on the Journey<br />37. An Uncertain Journey<br />38. Onward in Faith</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>Resources</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>Acknowledgements</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span>Notes</span></span></p><blockquote><font size="1"> <font face="verdana">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2023 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </font></font></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-666092686479825252020-04-24T11:55:00.000-07:002020-04-24T11:55:11.337-07:00Construction Bid Issues: Virtual Training on April 30th<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">NIGP is sponsoring an all day class I've developed and will be teaching this coming Thursday, April 30, 2020 entitled "When Bad Things Happen to Bids: Strategies for Ensuring a Successful Public Construction Project."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The course was originally scheduled to be an in-person class in Florida, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been switched to a virtual Zoom training, thus making it available to people across the country.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The class will run from 8:00am to 5:00pm Eastern time. So, if you're on the west coast (like I am), it will be an early start to the day!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://ams.nigp.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=NIGPEventInfo&Reg_evt_key=7d6299b7-1849-4973-b003-d9d5b770d358">Click here</a> to go to NIGP's webpage about the class and how to register for it. The registration fee is $410.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> </span></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2020 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-20091118705516311682020-03-16T16:23:00.002-07:002020-03-16T16:23:55.516-07:00The Impact of COVID-19 on Construction Projects<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> As our nation and the world grapple with managing the impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we are witnessing an unprecedented upheaval of the foundations of society. How should public agencies and contractors be responding and how does it impact construction projects?<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Resources: </b>I want to share a couple of articles posted online by Seattle law firms that have good discussions on the concept of force majeure (also known as acts of God), other legal concepts, and how this impacts contractual relationships. I hope these articles help provide a framework as you address the impacts of COVID-19. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Read Your Contract: </b>Be sure to check the specific language of your contract and consult with your attorneys.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Links: </b>Here are the links:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.oles.com/news-insights/covid-19-and-impacts-on-construction/">COVID-19 and Impacts on Construction</a> (from Oles Morrison law firm)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.oles.com/blog/how-the-coronavirus-will-affect-government-contractors/">How the Coronavirus Will Affect Government Contractors</a> (by Emily Yohiwara of Oles Morrison law firm)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.carneylaw.com/its-an-act-of-god-a-superior-force-an-extraordinary-event-that-is-beyond-your-control-so-it-has-to-be-a-force-majeure-event-doesnt-it/">COVID-19 - a Force Majeure Event</a> (Carney Badley Spellman law firm)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Social Distancing Resource: </b>Need a good book to read as you're practicing social distancing? A
friend of mine recently bought 15 copies of my book, and had me sign
each one for her to give as gifts to family, friends, colleagues, and
mentors. It's an easy, shocking, and fun read. You can buy it online at <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F1543963749%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0oy4ao7Sxz_tT-wFS7jUMe7oW15lPP7BkRocpzcSIRYm5XcbfLYnsn-TQ&h=AT3EZSOWsMQNwazdviVRtUZNPxi37Jy5tgWBEupKaEiY2OD5I8IdPh-KMKpTjZ4wBiBBQTNMsJYFBmiZ0VQBYhv8cmOKzrwXToN_h1KVK_wJMbCqEO-9Ah6_WubSPZPfddY5BqVpLFLqoNGi5mQRcWbiI0-WxargU2ZLzeI4KQ" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1543963749/</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIvKVTAo58Q/XK6YUKjWZkI/AAAAAAAAFww/ud_kRa2fvcYa_qr0sigy7KOrIPIsC8-cACEwYBhgL/s1600/FrontCover.jpg" style="height: 381px; width: 254px;" /> </span></div>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2020 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-22997537224455416792019-04-10T19:10:00.001-07:002019-04-10T19:10:44.187-07:00Insurance and Insults<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> Insurance and insults? How do they go together? Well...they don't. In this blog, I want to share two separate things.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Does a Certificate of Insurance protect you?</b> In a recent court case, the court found that a certificate of insurance by itself does not give a party additional insured rights and does not change or modify the underlying insurance policy. In order to be covered and protected as an additional insured, you must obtain an endorsement (or amendment) to the contractor's insurance policy that names your entity as an additional insured, either by specifically naming your entity, or through a blanket endorsement adding the additional insured protection to your entity. Jay Rossiter of the Perkins Coie law firm has written a brief and very readable summary of the issues. <a href="https://www.techriskreport.com/2018/12/valuable-certificate-insurance/">Click here to read the summary</a>.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
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</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>101 Presidential Insults:</b> I’m excited to announce the
publication of my new book about our presidents – how they’ve historically
insulted one another – and what this lack of civility means to us in our
current political environment.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIvKVTAo58Q/XK6YUKjWZkI/AAAAAAAAFww/ud_kRa2fvcYa_qr0sigy7KOrIPIsC8-cACEwYBhgL/s1600/FrontCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIvKVTAo58Q/XK6YUKjWZkI/AAAAAAAAFww/ud_kRa2fvcYa_qr0sigy7KOrIPIsC8-cACEwYBhgL/s400/FrontCover.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk1406961"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk2248724"></a><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/101-Presidential-Insults-Really-Thought/dp/1543963749">101
Presidential Insults: What They Really Thought About Each Other – and What It
Means to Us</a></i> peeks behind the political curtain – exposing that our
presidents have dished out acerbic insults about other presidents from the
founding fathers to the age of Trump. Meticulously researched, the book is a
significant contribution to our understanding of the character of the 44
characters who have served as president. In it, I challenge us and our leaders,
despite our sordid history, to rise to "the better angels of our
nature" and reject the acidic politics of personal demonization.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>101 Presidential Insults</i> is a quick and fun read, shocking
at times, sobering, and thought-provoking. It is a must read for anyone
interested in history and concerned about the current lack of civility in
politics. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>How you can help:</b> I be grateful if you’d help get the word
out about the book. </div>
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Buy </span></b>the book now by pre-ordering it from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/101-Presidential-Insults-Really-Thought/dp/1543963749">Amazon</a>
or <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1131107109">Barnes & Noble.</a> Any bookstore can order the book as well for you as it will be available
through the main distributors that bookstores use to buy their books. The book
will be released on June 7, 2019. The more pre-orders for the book, the more
Amazon and Barnes and Noble will promote the boo<span style="font-family: "verdana";">k.</span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Forward </b></span>this email to your family, friends, colleagues,
co-workers, acquaintances, and others who may be interested in it.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Share</b></span> information about the book (a link to the Amazon or
Barnes and Noble addresses noted above or other information) on Facebook,
Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, and other social media platforms.</span></span> </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Write </b></span>a review of the book after you receive it and post it
to Amazon by June 25. The more reviews the book has early on, the more Amazon
will promote the book. Your review doesn’t have to be long. Just some quick and
positive thoughts about the book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Speaking:</b></span> I’d be grateful if you would pass my name on to
people if you know of opportunities to speak to a group or organization with
which you are associated. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>More about 101 Presidential Insults:</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u>Private and Public Insults:</u> Sometimes in private letters,
diaries, and conversations, they let their guard down on what they really
thought about a former, deceased, current, or future president. At other times,
these insults have been audaciously proclaimed in public speeches, books, and
to the media. By their own words, our presidents have demonstrated their flawed
humanity with insults that are often humorous and sometimes shocking for their
lack of decorum. We may laugh or perhaps wince as we read these 101
presidential insults.</div>
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<u>Examples of Insults:</u> The presidents have labeled one another
as dangerous, ignorant, liars, obstinate, selfish, unfit, vain, and weak. And
these are just some of the commonplace words. They have also used biting and
bitter phrases such as gibbering idiot, little schmuck, and young
whippersnapper. Some bizarre insults require research and a dictionary to
understand, such as "Byzantine logothete."</div>
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<u>Book Contents:</u> The book includes:</div>
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- <u>Introduction:</u> A thoughtful and challenging introduction calling for
increased civility in our private lives and the public square.</div>
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<br /></div>
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- <u>Quotations:</u> 101 humorous, shocking, and sobering quotes by the
presidents about other presidents that includes a brief description of the
occasion, source (letter, diary, speech, etc.), and date for each insult. There
is at least one quotation about each president, demonstrating that such
behavior has been around since the nation's founding and occurs regardless of
political party affiliation.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
- <u>Glossary:</u> A glossary of the obscure terms used by presidents about
other presidents such as "honeyfuggler," "bungalow mind,"
and “puzzlewit.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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- <u>Lists:</u> Three lists (alphabetical by insult, about/by list, and
numerical analysis by source of insults) help the reader to view these caustic
comments from different angles. </div>
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<br /></div>
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- <u>End notes</u> citing primary sources for the quotes (when
known), or reliable secondary sources that reference primary sources. The end
notes are a significant contribution to documenting these quotes. I chose not
to include some quotes that I could not track down.</div>
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<u>2020 Challenges:</u> The upcoming presidential election will be
a test of our national character and the character of the candidates.
Ultimately, our survival as a nation depends on our ability to treat others
with respect, and to promote civility, consensus, and compromise. </div>
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<b>Praise for 101 Presidential Insults</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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"Mike Purdy has written a terrific book. As a
presidential historian, he has a gift for discovering just the right anecdotes
that help us understand our presidents better. Really well done." </div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>- PAUL BRANDUS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
White House bureau chief, West Wing Reports, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
USA Today columnist,</div>
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Author of Under This Roof: The White House and Presidency</div>
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">
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<br /></div>
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“Filthy, disgraced, lying, cheating, calculating bastard,
schemer, a dangerous man, a little schmuck, unfit to serve...Mike Purdy brings
us into the political locker room, where nothing is left unsaid. This book is a
statement on the dark humanity of American presidents—sad and hilarious, at the
same time.”</div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>– A.J. BAIME</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental
President</div>
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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“Mike Purdy provides a picture of these presidents as flawed
or, rather, human leaders—prone to the pettiness, anger, and incivility that
even the best of us exhibit. This book should be required reading for those
concerned about the current political climate. Perhaps in knowing the past we
can chart a new, more civil course. It’s also great reading for those who enjoy
a good laugh!”</div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>– DR. MICHAEL ARTIME</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science at</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Washington)</div>
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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“Anyone reading this book will have reactions of laughter,
shock, and amazement as they learn more about the personalities of our 44
Presidents. This book is highly recommended to all who follow and love the
institution of the American Presidency.”</div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>– DR. RONALD L. FEINMAN</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Author of Assassinations, Threats, and the American
Presidency</div>
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mike Purdy's track on 101 Presidential Insults reveals a
side of presidential politics that is at once delightful and shocking. We will
see plenty of mudslinging going into the 2020 election, but 101 Presidential
Insults reminds us that it really has always been that way.”</div>
</span></span><div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b>– THE HONORABLE DON BONKER</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Former Member of Congress</div>
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">
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<br /></div>
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I hope you pre-order the book today and enjoy it! Thanks!!</div>
</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2019 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-3487625983924069262018-05-24T21:22:00.003-07:002018-05-24T21:22:14.597-07:00The Problem with Bid Prices in Numbers and Words<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tennessee construction attorney Matthew DeVries has described the outcome of an Alabama court case in which a bidder left out the word "thousand" in a bid price and was held to the significantly lower bid amount by the public agency. The contractor refused to execute the contract because they would loose too much money and the public agency collected from their bid bond.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Allow withdrawal of bid if error is made: </b>Public agencies should generally allow a contractor who has made a mistake to withdraw their bid. It is not in either the contractor's or the public agency's best interest to enter into a contract in which the contractor will loose money.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Request bid prices in numbers only: </b>Public agencies should also not require bid prices in words, but only numbers. It's a way to make the bid process simpler and eliminate yet another area for non-responsiveness and ambiguity. In the event you can't read a contractor's bid price in numbers, language in your bid documents allowing rejection of the bid as non-responsive can resolve the lack of clarity in the bid amount. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.bestpracticesconstructionlaw.com/2018/05/articles/legal-trends/words-and-money/">Click here</a> to read Mr. DeVries brief blog post on this court case. <br /> </span></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2018 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-49189925582721715142017-11-20T14:57:00.000-08:002017-11-20T14:57:31.078-08:00Leadership Lessons from the Presidents (for Public Procurement Employees)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxuHaYDD8WQ/WhNZ6zIVptI/AAAAAAAAFSI/rT2Iac9U40Agiog_94YiKy6Hgpcn4YakQCLcBGAs/s1600/Nov2017-Ohio-NIGP-Group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxuHaYDD8WQ/WhNZ6zIVptI/AAAAAAAAFSI/rT2Iac9U40Agiog_94YiKy6Hgpcn4YakQCLcBGAs/s200/Nov2017-Ohio-NIGP-Group.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
On November 16, 2017, I had the privilege of speaking before approximately 125 public procurement officials at the annual luncheon of the Central Ohio Organization of Public Purchasers in Columbus, Ohio. <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-749430033/leadership-lessons-from-the-president5s">Click here</a> to listen to my talk.<br />
<div class="sc-type-small">
<div>
<br />
I spoke on the topic of <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-749430033/leadership-lessons-from-the-president5s">"Leadership Lessons from the Presidents."</a> Whether it's leadership from
the Oval Office or leadership in adding value to the procurement
process, there are common styles and principles that make for successful
leaders. My <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-749430033/leadership-lessons-from-the-president5s">53 minute talk</a> takes us back in history to examine successful
and unsuccessful leadership styles of a handful of presidents, and how
we can apply those practices to the management of public procurement and
contracting.<br />
<br />
By way of summary, I suggested there are four characteristics of good leaders. Under each category, I had sub-points as noted below:<br />
<ul>
<li><u><b>CHARACTER</b></u></li>
<li>Moral Leadership</li>
<li>Empathy</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u><b>CHARISMA</b></u></li>
<li>Style</li>
<li>Humor</li>
<li>Communication</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u><b>COLLABORATION</b></u></li>
<li>Compromise</li>
<li>Listening</li>
<li>Civility</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><u><b>CREATIVITY</b></u></li>
<li>The Art of Possibility</li>
<li>Bold Leadership</li>
<li>Thirst for Information</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-749430033/leadership-lessons-from-the-president5s">Click here</a> to listen to my talk.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Please <a href="http://mpurdy.com/contact/">contact me</a> if you're interested in having me deliver this talk at your agency, association, or conference.</span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-13027807780116314382017-07-30T18:35:00.000-07:002017-07-30T18:35:14.310-07:00Bid Form Signature Block<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> This is a follow-up to my <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2017/07/new-mandatory-public-works-bidder.html">recent blog posting</a> about the new Washington state law adding compliance with the state's minimum wage laws as a mandatory bidder responsibility criterion.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Bidder's Place of Signing Bid Form: </b>I noted that that one option for obtaining the documentation of the bidder's compliance is to include a statement on the bid form. The bidder would then just sign one document. Such a signature must be accompanied by a statement that the bidder is signing the bid form under the penalty of perjury. The revision to <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=39.04.350">RCW 39.04.350</a> requires compliance with <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.72.085">RCW 9A.72.085</a> which, in addition to the perjury statement requires that the signature block must note the place of signing by the bidder.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Sample Signature Block: </b>I've included below a signature block that I've used in the past that includes both the perjury statement and place of signing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Consult With Your Attorney: </b>Review your bid form and check with your attorney to ensure that your bid form is in compliance with state law, especially if you are including the sworn statement for compliance with minimum wage laws on your bid form.<br /> </span></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-54878657585053308612017-07-24T20:00:00.000-07:002017-07-24T20:33:38.925-07:00New Mandatory Public Works Bidder Responsibility Criteria Effective July 23, 2017<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> The Washington Legislature adopted a new law (<a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5301-S.SL.pdf">Senate Bill 5301</a>) that adds an additional criterion to the list of mandatory bidder responsibility criteria that public agencies must verify and document before awarding any public works project, regardless of cost. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Effective Date: </b>The new law became effective on July 23, 2017. This means that public agencies must ensure that the required sworn statement is obtained prior to award of the public works project.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Minimum Wage Compliance by Bidder:</b> The new law establishes a new criterion relating to the contractor's compliance with the state's minimum wage laws. It also dictates that, prior to award, the contractor must sign a statement that they have not violated the law within a three year period.</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Criterion:</u> Here's the language from the law: "</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Within
the three-year period immediately preceding the date of the bid
solicitation, not have been determined by a final and binding citation
and notice of assessment issued by the department of labor and
industries or through a civil judgment entered by a court of limited or
general jurisdiction to have willfully violated, as defined in RCW
49.48.082, any provision of chapter 49.46, 49.48, or 49.52 RCW."</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Documentation:</u> Here's the language from the law on what is required for documentation: </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">"Before
award of a public works contract, a bidder shall submit to the
contracting agency a signed statement in accordance with RCW 9A.72.085
verifying under penalty of perjury that the bidder is in compliance with
the responsible bidder criteria requirement of subsection (1)(g) of
this section. A contracting agency may award a contract in reasonable
reliance upon such a sworn statement." The reference to subsection (1)(g) refers to the "criterion" paragraph above.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Methods for Verifying Bidder's Compliance:</b> There are a number of options, some <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>better</b> </span>than others, for how a public agency can obtain the required sworn statement from the bidder whose bid is under consideration by the public agency for award. I recommend use of the first option listed below.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b><span style="color: lime;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><u><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lwvzW9FUyx0/Tar57FSVagI/AAAAAAAABh0/rhU6kE1nIHA/s1600/passed-icon.jpg" style="height: 34px; width: 35px;" /></u> <u>Include Sworn Statement on Bid Form:</u></span> </span></b> This option is the easiest administrative method and least risky option. I recommend use of this option. Under this option, a public agency would include the following statement as part of the Bid Form: "</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The undersigned Bidder hereby
certifies that, within the three-year period immediately preceding the bid
solicitation date for this Project, the bidder is not a “willful” violator, as
defined in RCW 49.48.082, of any provision of chapters 49.46, 49.48, or 49.52
RCW, as determined by a final and binding citation and notice of assessment
issued by the Department of Labor and Industries or through a civil judgment
entered by a court of limited or general jurisdiction." In addition, the following language would need to be part of the signature block for the Bid Form: </span>"<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury
under the laws of the State of Washington
that the foregoing is true and correct." This statement is necessary to comply with the provisions of the new law that dictates that the sworn statement must be in compliance with RCW 9A.72.085.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;"><u></u></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;"><u><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQvrT17YCx0/Tar8H5Z3TJI/AAAAAAAABh4/I6isJqtDKBw/s1600/dead-icon.jpg" /></u> <u>Request Sworn Statement from Low Bidder:</u></span></b> Under this option, after bid opening, the public agency would request the low bidder submit the sworn statement after bid opening. The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) has developed a sworn statement for this purpose. <a href="http://mrsc.org/getdoc/dd1e41fa-b042-4366-b3f6-4d16818433ad/Public-Works-Bidding-and-Award.aspx">Click here</a> to visit MRSC's website where you can click on the link for "model certification form." This is an additional step for the public agency that can be eliminated by including the sworn statement on the Bid Form (see option above). While I don't recommend this option because it is an additional step, there is nothing inherently wrong with this option.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: red;"><u><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQvrT17YCx0/Tar8H5Z3TJI/AAAAAAAABh4/I6isJqtDKBw/s1600/dead-icon.jpg" /></u> <u>Include Sample Sworn Statement in Bid Documents:</u></span></b> Under this option, a public agency would include <a href="http://mrsc.org/getdoc/dd1e41fa-b042-4366-b3f6-4d16818433ad/Public-Works-Bidding-and-Award.aspx">MRSC's model certification form</a> as a sample in the bid documents. The public agency would still be required to obtain the signed form from the low bidder prior to award, which represents an additional step like the option immediately above. It could be confusing for bidders whether they are required to submit the sample with the bid or after bid opening. I do not recommend this option.</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: red;"><b><u><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQvrT17YCx0/Tar8H5Z3TJI/AAAAAAAABh4/I6isJqtDKBw/s1600/dead-icon.jpg" /></u> <u>Require Separate Sworn Statement be Submitted with the Bid:</u></b></span> Using <a href="http://mrsc.org/getdoc/dd1e41fa-b042-4366-b3f6-4d16818433ad/Public-Works-Bidding-and-Award.aspx">MRSC's model certification form</a>, under this option, the bid documents would require that the signed sworn statement be submitted with the bid. This is not a good option, as it increases the risk that a bidder (the low bidder) will fail to submit the sworn statement with the bid, thereby rendering the entire bid non-responsive and unable to be considered further. Using best practices for public works bidding, public agencies should limit the number of documents submitted with the bid to the Bid Form, bid guaranty, subcontractors list if the project is estimated to cost $1 million or more, and any documents required by federal or state grant provisions. I strongly recommend that public agencies not use this option.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Other Mandatory Bidder Responsibility Criteria:</b> The new law adds compliance with minimum wage laws to the existing list of mandatory bidder responsibility criteria that public agencies must verify and document prior to award of any public works project. The other criteria may be found in <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=39.04.350">RCW 39.04.350.</a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> Review your agency's practices to ensure that you have a process to verify and document the mandatory bidder responsibility criteria for all public works projects.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Other New Public Works Laws:</b> <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2017/04/4-new-public-works-bills-passed-by.html">See my blog from April 17, 2017</a> for a description of five new public works laws that do the following:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Increases the dollar threshold for when a payment/performance bond may be waived</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grants subcontractors additional rights to have retainage released early through a retainage bond</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adds an additional criterion to the list of mandatory bidder responsibility criteria</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Authorizes Public Utility Districts to contract for on-call public works projects</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Authorizes transit agencies (public transportation benefit area authorities) to use Job Order Contracting</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Presidential History Blog:</b> Check out my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://presidentialhistory.com/">PresidentialHistory.com</a> and sign up for a free email subscription to it.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-85212514046387303722017-07-18T12:23:00.000-07:002017-07-18T12:35:51.430-07:00Job Opening: Purchasing Manager<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.9062px;"><b>City of Bellingham</b></span><br />
<div>
<ul><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9jcc1YZUmeo/WUx6bFqv0cI/AAAAAAAAFKs/97Mo7MeAqzsWhoHmmCnJ3BMf4qsnafYmACLcBGAs/s1600/kitsap-transit.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Position:</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"> Purchasing Manager</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Location:</b><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"> Bellingham, Washington </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Closing Date:</b><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"> Friday, August 11, 2017 at 4:30 pm Pacific Time</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"><b>Interview Schedule:</b> The most qualified candidates will be asked to participate in a panel interview on August 31, 2017.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Salary: </b><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">$80,244 - $95,832 annually</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Job Summary:</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.9062px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Public Works Purchasing Manager oversees city-wide procurement
processes that ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and
local laws and City policies and procedures. Performs complex
administrative and technical purchasing work and provides procurement
expertise in managing and coordinating a centralized procurement system
of contracts, goods and services as well as asset storage, recovery and
disposal.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"><b>Essential Functions of the Job:</b> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b></b></i></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Recommends,
implements and maintains City purchasing systems for maximum efficiency
and to achieve optimum life-cycle cost for all goods and services
purchased. Oversees the analysis of cost, performance, quality,
service and delivery. Provides input and makes recommendations to City
Administration on purchasing and procurement policies and procedures.
Implements city wide policies and procedures, oversees the creation of
manuals, forms, charts, informational materials, related training
programs and briefings. Using various analytical methods evaluates
City's current purchasing patterns and practices; develops and
continuously improves centralized purchasing systems and procedures.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oversees
all City procurement processing, monitoring, bids, solicitations,
addenda, administration, clarifications, modification, compliance,
negotiations, changing conditions, coordination of legal review,
terminations, and purchase orders. Provides responsive support to City
Departments regarding complex procurement issues, including Revenue
Contracts, Technology, Architect services, Engineering services,
Construction, and Public Works Contracts, and Systems contracts.
Provides training and technical guidance as needed.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oversees
and directs staff on development of contracting forms and contracting
documents. Provides recommendations to and collaborates with Assistant
City Attorneys and Public Works executive team on standards, processes,
risk assessment, liability and insurance requirements. Directs work of
purchasing staff in carrying out and executing contracts. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Prepares
and presents recommendations to City administration regarding standards
for competitive purchasing of professional services, trains departments
on procedures for acquiring professional services, monitors compliance
with City standards, and recommends corrective action as needed.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Manages
and oversees the central procurement system to maintain the integrity
of the public procurement process and guard against ethical challenges
and charges of fraud, waste or inefficiency. Makes recommendations on
sole source purchase requests and other complex purchases to the Public
Works Director or designee within the limits of Bellingham municipal
code and state law. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ensures accountability, compliance and
consistent interpretation and application with all current and
applicable state and federal laws, agency policies and procedures, rules
and regulations.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oversees the management of warehouse and
parts room operations, inventory control and surplus property. Develops
and implements the warehouse municipal emergency response capability.
Ensures full compliance of warehouse with safety regulations.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Directs,
plans and organizes the work of purchasing and warehouse unit staff.
Selects candidates for hire, trains, schedules, assigns and reviews work
of staff. Establishes performance standards, conducts performance
reviews, coaches, counsels and recommends disciplinary actions. Plans
and carries out employee development.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"><b>Experience and Training: </b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, public administration or closely related field.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Two
(2) years experience as a Purchasing Manager or five (5) years as a
Senior Buyer with responsibility for a wide range of buying, including
consumable supplies, commodity and/or heavy equipment acquisition.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Three (3) years supervisory experience.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Experience with budgeting preferred.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Experience with contract administration strongly preferred.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the required skills and abilities will be considered.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">For More Information and to Apply:</b><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"> </span><a href="https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cobwa/jobs/1785821/purchasing-manager?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs">Click here</a>. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-54105804572305969302017-06-22T19:23:00.000-07:002017-06-22T19:23:53.427-07:00Job Opening: Purchasing Specialist for Kitsap Transit <br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.9062px;"><b>Kitsap Transit</b></span><br />
<div>
<ul><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9jcc1YZUmeo/WUx6bFqv0cI/AAAAAAAAFKs/97Mo7MeAqzsWhoHmmCnJ3BMf4qsnafYmACLcBGAs/s1600/kitsap-transit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="76" data-original-width="364" height="41" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9jcc1YZUmeo/WUx6bFqv0cI/AAAAAAAAFKs/97Mo7MeAqzsWhoHmmCnJ3BMf4qsnafYmACLcBGAs/s200/kitsap-transit.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Position:</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"> Purchasing Specialist</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Location:</b><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"> Bremerton, Washington </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Closing Date:</b><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"> Friday, June 30, 2017 at 4:00 pm</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Salary: </b><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">$22.29 - $29.98 per hour ($46,363 - $62,358 Annually)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"><b>Benefits: </b>Full-time employees receive a generous benefits package including subsidized medical insurance and fully paid dental insurance for employee and dependents, as well as disability insurance and life insurance. This position participates in the Washington State Public Employees’ Retirement Plan with the option of participating in a state administered deferred compensation plan. There is a generous general leave accrual and 11 holidays. The employee and certain dependents also receive a free transportation pass on Kitsap Transit. </span><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;"><br /></b></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Job Summary:</b><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"> <span style="font-size: small;">This position is responsible for preparing and coordinating bid and/or proposal solicitation packages consisting of standard terms and conditions; preparing appropriate advertising; establishing vendor lists and responding to questions regarding solicitations. The person in this position may also evaluate selected bids against specifications and recommend awarding of contracts; notify vendors of award, request appropriate vendor documentation and arrange final purchase and delivery of product or service; and assist the project manager in monitoring contracts for compliance with local, state, and federal audit regulations. This position also prepares resolutions with applicable supporting documentation for the Board of Commissioners’ review and approval. <br /><br />The successful candidate will research and compile information related to price, availability, delivery, quality, warranty and reliability of products, services and office equipment leases; obtains quotes over the phone and in writing on a wide variety of products and services; communicate with salespersons and manufacturing representatives regarding products and services; arrange for, monitor and expedite deliveries; receive and distribute products. <br /><br />This position also assists agency staff with purchasing activities to ensure that purchase requisitions and activities comply with Kitsap Transit’s procurement policies; receives and reviews requisitions for products and services; ensures proper authorizations, and accuracy of account numbers and descriptions. <br /><br />The person in this position responds to purchasing related inquiries; investigates and resolves complaints about products and services; ensures necessary and timely follow-up; confers with and advises the supervisor regarding resolution to problems and complaints. This position is also responsible for administering and maintaining a reliable vendor base; tracks orders and prepares correspondence. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Reports to:</b><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"> Finance Director</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"><b>Hours of Work:</b> Work is conducted during normal business hours 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, with the possibility of an occasional evening or weekend meeting.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"><b>Education and Experience:</b> High school graduation/GED and some college level coursework or technical training in purchasing, finance, business, or accounting and two years of experience in a purchasing position/positions.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"><b>Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:</b> Following are some highlights of what is needed to be successful in this position. </span></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Preparation of formal proposals and informal bid packages </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Purchasing a variety of products and services </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Preparing bid specifications and formal solicitation packages </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Conducting research, collecting data and information, analyzing data and making recommendations </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Explaining regulations, procedures and guidelines </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Communicating effectively orally and in writing </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Using personal computers and office software including word processing and spreadsheets </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Utilizing good judgment in safeguarding confidential or sensitive information and adherence to high standards of confidentiality and honesty </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with fellow employees, outside agencies and the general public. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Working independently and interacting effectively and positively as a team member. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;">Reacting with sound judgment under stress while doing several things at once. </span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.9062px;">For More Information and to Apply:</b><span style="line-height: 18.9062px;"> </span><a href="http://kitsaptransit.appone.com/">Click here</a>. Please contact Marianne Rajan in the Human Resources Department at (360) 478-5852 if you have any questions. </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-47304097119587521012017-04-17T19:35:00.001-07:002017-04-17T21:34:36.233-07:005 New Public Works Bills Passed by Washington Legislature<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> As part of preparing for a two day class on Public Works Bidding and Contracting that I recently taught, I noted that the Washington State Legislature recently approved five public works related bills that do the following:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Increase the dollar threshold for when a payment/performance bond may be waived</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Grant subcontractors additional rights to have retainage released early through a retainage bond</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Add an additional criterion to the list of mandatory bidder responsibility criteria</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Authorize Public Utility Districts to contract for on-call public works projects</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Authorize transit agencies (public transportation benefit area authorities) to use Job Order Contracting</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5734&Year=2017"><b>Waiver of Payment/Performance Bond:</b></a> For public works projects of $35,000 or less, <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=39.08.010">RCW 39.08.010</a> currently provides that "at the option of the contractor," a public agency "may, in lieu of the bond, retain fifty percent of the contract amount..." In order to bring Washington law in compliance with federal small works bonding requirements, <a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5734.PL.pdf">Senate Bill 5734</a>, which passed both the House and Senate unanimously, addresses the following:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b><u>Changes</u></b> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Project Amount:</u> Increases the $35,000 threshold to $150,000. Unlike the payment/performance bond waiver provision applicable only for Limited Public Works Projects (Small Works Roster projects less than $35,000), this provision in <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=39.08.010">RCW 39.08.010</a> does not require that the project less than $35,000 be bid through the Small Works Roster process.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Retainage Amount:</u> Decreases the 50% retainage to 10% retainage in order to waive the payment/performance bond.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Individual Sureties:</u> Allows a public agency to accept a payment/performance bond from an individual surety or sureties for projects of $150,000 or less, increased from $100,000. All other sureties must be from an actual bonding company.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Prevailing Wage Priority:</u> Reiterates the already existing requirement of <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=60.28.040">RCW 60.28.040 (5)</a> that unpaid prevailing wages and benefits are the first place priority in the event of multiple competing claims against the retainage.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>GC/CM:</u> Adds that this provision for withholding 10% retainage in lieu of obtaining a payment/performance bond on projects of $150,000 or less also applies to a General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM). This is a curious provision as all GC/CM projects are more than $150,000 and are multi-million dollar projects. This addition doesn't appear to accomplish anything. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Comments</u></span></span></b></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Agency Discretion?</u> Is a public agency required to accept the 10% retainage in lieu of obtaining the payment/performance bond? The language of the law (both current and new) suggests that it is up to the contractor to make the request, and that the public agency "may" retain the 10% retainage in lieu of a bond. It appears to provide the public agency with discretion whether to accept the request. Consult with your attorney regarding how to interpret this issue.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Time Period for Releasing Retainage:</u> <a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5734.PL.pdf">Senate Bill 5734</a> fails to correct an error in <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=39.08.010">RCW 39.08.010</a> that states that the retainage is held for 30 days "after the date of final acceptance." Because a subcontractor, supplier, or worker can file a claim against the retainage up to 45 days following final acceptance, an agency that releases the retainage before 45 days following final acceptance is at risk for paying court ordered claims filed between day 31 and 45 following final acceptance. If an agency intends to use this waiver of the bond/increase of retainage provision, I recommend not releasing the retainage until a minimum of 45 days following final acceptance. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>No State Releases for Projects Less than $35,000:</u> Public agencies should recognize that for projects of $35,000 or less, the three state agencies (Revenue, Employment Security, and Labor and Industries) will not issue a release even though <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=39.08.010">RCW 39.08.010</a> suggests they will. See <a href="http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=60.28">RCW 60.28</a>.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1538&Year=2017"><b>Subcontractors and Retainage Bonds:</b></a> Current law (<a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=60.28.011">RCW 60.28.011 (6)</a>) allows a contractor to submit a retainage bond to a public agency in lieu of retainage being withheld. It also provides that if a contractor has submitted such a bond to a public agency, the contractor must, upon request of a subcontractor, accept a retainage bond from them in lieu of withholding retainage. <a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/1538-S.PL.pdf">House Bill 1538</a> gives subcontractors additional rights to force a contractor to submit a retainage bond to a public agency:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b><u>Changes</u></b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Subcontractor Request:</u> A subcontractor may request the contractor to submit a retainage bond to the public agency for the portion of the subcontractor's retainage. Currently, the subcontractor must wait for the contractor to take this action.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Subcontractor Pays Bond Premium:</u> The contractor may withhold the subcontractor's portion of the bond premium.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Deadline for Contractor to Submit Bond:</u> Within 30 days after the subcontractor's request, the contractor must submit the retainage bond to the public agency, unless "</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">the bond is not commercially
available, or the subcontractor refuses to pay the subcontractor's
portion of the bond premium and to provide the contractor with a like
bond."</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Public Agency Discretion:</u> The public agency shall accept such a retainage bond that meets its requirements for the content of the bond and from an acceptable bonding company, "unless the public body can demonstrate good cause for refusing to accept it."</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5301&Year=2017"><b>Additional Mandatory Bidder Responsibility Criterion:</b></a> <a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5301-S.PL.pdf">Senate Bill 5301</a> adds to the list of mandatory bidder responsibility criteria in <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=39.04.350">RCW 39.04.350</a> that public agencies must check on and validate prior to awarding any public works project. The new criterion relates to the contractor's compliance with the state's minimum wage laws.</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b><u>Changes</u></b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>New Responsibility Criterion:</u> The new mandatory bidder responsibility criterion reads as follows: "Within the three-year period immediately preceding the date of the bid solicitation, not have been determined by a final and binding citation and notice of assessment issued by the department of labor and industries or through a civil judgment entered by a court of limited or general jurisdiction to have willfully violated, as defined in RCW 49.48.082, any provision of chapter 49.46, 49.48, or 49.52 RCW." This language should be added to bid documents of public agencies in addition to the currently existing mandatory bidder responsibility criteria. Language for bid documents is included in the <a href="http://des.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/documents/About/CPARB/BidderResponsibilityGuidelines.pdf">Suggested Guidelines for Bidder Responsibility</a> published by the <a href="http://des.wa.gov/about/boards-committees/capital-projects-advisory-review-board">Capital Projects Advisory Review Board</a> (CPARB). CPARB will need to revise the Guidelines to add this new criterion.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Documentation of Compliance:</u> Documentation to demonstrate a bidder's compliance with this new criterion is also included in <a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5301-S.PL.pdf">SB 5301</a>: "Before award of a public works contract, a bidder shall submit to the contracting agency a signed statement in accordance with RCW 9A.72.085 verifying under penalty of perjury that the bidder is in compliance with the responsible bidder criteria requirement of subsection (1)(g) of this section. A contracting agency may award a contract in reasonable reliance upon such a sworn statement." The reference to "subsection (1)(g)" will need to be adapted by public agencies to refer to the section of the bid documents that describes the actual criterion.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b><u>Comments</u></b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Standard Sworn Statement:</u> Rather than have each public agency develop their own sworn statement as required in the new law, hopefully either the State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) or the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) will develop a standard that all agencies can give to the low bidder to complete as part of verifying their compliance with this additional mandatory bidder responsibility criterion.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5036&Year=2017"><b>On-Call Public Works Contracts Authorized for Public Utility Districts:</b> </a> For the last five years, there has been considerable controversy in the state about whether public agencies may utilize on-call public works contracts that do not have a specific project scope. The State Auditor's Office has noted that these contracts are not specifically authorized in state law, and they have begun issuing management letters as part of their review process. Public Utility Districts (PUDs), under the provisions of <a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5036.PL.pdf">Senate Bill 5036</a>, are now authorized to bid and contract for on-call public works contracts. This new law provides a possible framework for other types of public agencies obtaining the important and necessary authorization for on-call public works contracting. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and almost unanimously in the House with only one opposing vote.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1395&Year=2017"><b>Transit Agencies Authorized to Use Job Order Contracting:</b></a> <a href="http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/1395.PL.pdf">House bill 1395</a>, which passed the Senate unanimously and the House with only two opposing votes, adds "every public transportation benefit area authority as defined under RCW 36.57A.010" to the list of agencies and agency types authorized to use Job Order Contracting, one of three alternative public works contracting methods authorized in RCW 39.10.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Effective Date:</b> As of the most recent information, none of the bills have yet been signed by the governor, but it is anticipated he will sign them. The new laws will be effective sometime in June or July. <a href="http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/">This website</a> may be used to obtain up to date information about the bills.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Mike Purdy in the News:</b> I was recently interviewed by and quoted in the following publications:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Piggybacking:</u> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Fast Company,</span></span> <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/40402050/taser-axon-police-body-cameras-video-evidence-data">"Why Taser Changed Its Name and Offered Every Cop a Body Camera,"</a> by Alex Pasternack, April 6, 2017</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u>Presidential History and Politics:</u> The Huffington Post, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/unanswered-questions-about-russia-erode-faith-in-democracy_us_58e2c704e4b02ef7e0e6dfdc">"Unaswered Questions About Russia Erode Faith in Democracy,"</a> by Cody Lyon, April 4, 2017<br /> </span></span> </li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-4348933624661791112016-10-09T19:07:00.000-07:002016-10-09T19:07:01.317-07:00Not All Piggyback Contracts Are Created Equal<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> Piggybacking off of the solicitation and subsequent contract of another public agency can be an efficient process that saves time and effort. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>What to Look for in a Piggyback Contract? </b>It is important that the other agency's solicitation meet your agency's competitive requirements, including, but not limited to the following:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Was the solicitation advertised at least as long as your agency requires?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Did they bid the same product you want to obtain?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Did they bid roughly the same quantity you need?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Did they include mandated federal requirements, if you will be paying the vendor with federal funds?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Was the other agency's solicitation bid recently?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Is the other agency's contract still current or has it expired?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Did they receive more than one bid? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Did they award to the lowest bidder? </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Police Body Camera Controversies:</b> Many police departments across the country are moving quickly to equip their police officers with body cameras to help diffuse tension with the communities they serve and to act as an accountability tool. Some agencies are using piggybacking to obtain the cameras and related storage of the videos in an expedited manner.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Chicago Police Department:</b> The Chicago Police Department is piggybacking off of an older State of New Jersey contract for which it appears that body cameras were added to the contract as an amendment, raising questions about whether it is appropriate to piggyback off of a contract for which prices were not competitively obtained.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Media Attention:</b> Not only is the Chicago Police Department under scrutiny for their process in obtaining body cameras through piggybacking, but so are other agencies across the country. Even if your agency is not buying police body cameras, some of the issues that have been raised about piggybacking as a process for these cameras is relevant for other products you may procure. The following are links to three media sources that I've been interviewed by and quoted in about this hot topic:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">The Chicago Reporter: <a href="http://chicagoreporter.com/in-swift-push-for-body-cameras-chicago-cut-contracting-corners/">In swift push for body cameras, Chicago cut contracting corners</a>, by Jonah Newman, October 3, 2016</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">NPR Marketplace: <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/2016/04/25/world/taser-contracts-under-scrutiny">Taser's body camera contracts under scrutiny</a>, by Bobby Allyn, May 3, 2016</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">The Wall Street Journal: <a href="http://www.mpurdy.com/WSJ-BodyCam-Article.pdf">For cities after Ferguson, a body-camera dilemma</a>, by Dan Frosch and Zusha Elinson, March 7, 2016.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Presidential History Blog:</b> Check out my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://presidentialhistory.com/">PresidentialHistory.com</a> and sign up for a free email subscription to it.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ni9JoAIbgiY/V_hT07AVXTI/AAAAAAAAE-s/llBUdT-_Ercj0nGw-chL5_gkRIcY134fACLcB/s1600/FB-LinkedinCoverPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ni9JoAIbgiY/V_hT07AVXTI/AAAAAAAAE-s/llBUdT-_Ercj0nGw-chL5_gkRIcY134fACLcB/s320/FB-LinkedinCoverPhoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Presidential History Interviews:</b> Here is a partial listed of the media I've been interviewed by and quoted in about presidential history and the 2016 presidential campaign (articles in which I'm quoted by Time Magazine and Voice of America should be published soon):</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Reuters</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-insults-idUSMTZSAPEC2DHLMGZO">Loser! Jerk! Insults fly on Republican campaign trail</a>, by Alana Wise, February 13, 2016</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Wall Street Journal </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/03/04/age-old-issue-gets-diminished-in-election-2016/">Age-Old Issue Gets Diminished in Election 2016</a>, by Jennifer Levitz, March 4, 2016</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-defends-u-s-approach-to-countering-islamic-state-1458757773">For Obama, Muted Reaction to Brussels Attacks Is by Design</a>, by Carol E. Lee, March 23, 2016</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">CNN</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.snappytv.com/tc/1945995">Possible Vice-Presidential Picks for Trump and Clinton</a>, Live TV interview with Carol Costello, May 16, 2016</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">USA Today</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/08/08/historians-clinton-obama-approval/88068172/">Historians: Clinton, Obama Tied Together No Matter What</a>, by Eliza Collins, August 8, 2016</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">New York Daily News</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/president-obama-approval-rating-rises-52-new-poll-shows-article-1.2686672">President Obama Approval Rating Rises to 52%, New Poll Shows</a>, by Clemente Lisi, June 24, 2016</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WHDT World News</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHfQksb9sUw">Donald Trump & The Evangelical Vote</a>, March 8, 2016, Television Interview with Danielle Masterson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBX31TSNfG8&feature=youtu.be&a">Can Donald Trump Survive a Contested Convention?</a>, April 6, 2016, Television Interview with Mark Maxwell</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqE4qfM-eyk;a">Could Kasich or Cruz Win At Contested Convention?</a>, April 27, 2016, Television Interview with Mark Maxwell</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cg5DgPVOfA&feature=youtu.be&a">Can the GOP Still Dump Trump?</a>, June 14, 2016, Television Interview with Mark Maxwell</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GXyN_Wd6v8&feature=youtu.be;a">What Mike Pence Brings to the Trump Ticket</a>, July 15, 2016, Television Interview with Danielle Masterson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37JQ3GXO3nQ:">Donald Trump Defies GOP as Leaders Plan Intervention</a>, August 3, 2016, Television Interview with Mark Maxwell</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCg2L81WfJ8">Hillary Clinton Not the First Woman Nominated</a>, August 11, 2016, Television Interview with Danielle Masterson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3BsaEX-qZs">After 2012 GOP Autopsy, Is 2016 “Donald’s Inferno?”</a> August 12, 2016, Television Interview with Danielle Masterson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRG2eggSBAE">Oval Office Has Been Filled With Sick Presidents</a>, September 14, 2016, Television Interview with Mark Maxwell</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WCGO Radio (1590)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/daniel-french-230732811/160927-mike-purdy-debates-12">The Presidents, Vice Presidents, and 2016 Campaign</a>, September 27,2016, Radio Interview with French and Friends</span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2016 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-72914176684588010092016-04-10T15:23:00.000-07:002016-04-11T10:08:54.062-07:00New Book on Procurement MethodsA new reference book entitled "Procurement Methods: Effective Techniques" by Lourdes Coss, MPA, CPPO, will be published on April 25, 2016. Ms. Coss is one of the most highly respected and preeminent public procurement professionals in the nation. <br />
<br />
<b>About the book:</b> "I decided to write the book I had been looking for," Coss notes. "It's a desk reference for procurement professionals." The book is applicable for both the manager searching for a tool to train
procurement staff and professionals seeking to expand their knowledge. The book serves a resource for procurement
professionals providing guidance on method selection and techniques. It provides
examples to aid in the development of critical sections of the
procurement document and explains the logic that should be followed in
order to optimize the process.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-byligB26SgQ/VwlpoRvl1hI/AAAAAAAAE0k/nXWzqHEFX88dcagXz_VjUfv_ypjm5XHmA/s1600/LourdesBookCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-byligB26SgQ/VwlpoRvl1hI/AAAAAAAAE0k/nXWzqHEFX88dcagXz_VjUfv_ypjm5XHmA/s320/LourdesBookCover.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Procurement Methods: Effective Techniques by Lourdes Coss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Table of contents: </b>Here's the table of contents for the book:<br />
<ul>
<li><u>Bids or Competitive (Sealed) Bids</u></li>
<ul>
<li>Objective and Application</li>
<li>Invitation to Bid (ITB) or Invitation for Bid (IFB) Development</li>
<li>Bid Evaluation</li>
<li>Summary</li>
</ul>
<li><u>Request for Qualification (RFQ)</u></li>
<ul>
<li>Objective and Application</li>
<li>RFQ Development</li>
<li>RFQ Evaluation Process</li>
<li>Summary</li>
</ul>
<li><u>Request for Proposals (RFP)</u></li>
<ul>
<li>Objective and Application</li>
<li>RFP Development</li>
<li>RFP Evaluation Process</li>
<li>Summary</li>
</ul>
<li><u>Alignment & Consistency</u></li>
<ul>
<li>Achieving Alignment</li>
<li>Consistent Terminology</li>
<li>Standardization</li>
<li>Criteria and Submittal Requirements Alignment</li>
<li>High Level View of Evaluations</li>
</ul>
<li><u>Conclusion</u></li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aF7aqRNv1jg/Vwl5GLwPqKI/AAAAAAAAE08/0Gr6i4qSiOUd5ADZzXqOUqlkFjZKzfPHQ/s1600/LourdesCoss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aF7aqRNv1jg/Vwl5GLwPqKI/AAAAAAAAE08/0Gr6i4qSiOUd5ADZzXqOUqlkFjZKzfPHQ/s200/LourdesCoss.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lourdes Coss, MPA, CPPO</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>About Lourdes Coss: </b>In her distinguished career that has spanned more than 25 years, Lourdes Coss has secured support for new procurement legislation, achieved
over $150 million in savings in the last several years through strategic
sourcing and negotiations, automated routine processes, significantly
reduced procurement cycle times, and implemented strategies to maximize
available resources.She has has led procurement improvements and transformations for many large public agencies:<br />
<ul>
<li>City of Chicago</li>
<li>Public Building Commission of Chicago</li>
<li>University of Illinois at Chicago</li>
<li>Cook County, Illinois</li>
<li>City of Houston</li>
</ul>
<b>Buying the book:</b> The book may be ordered online in paperback or in an electronic edition through either of the links below:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Procurement-Methods-Effective-Techniques">Click here to buy the eBook now ($7.99)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Procurement-Methods-Effective-Techniques-Professionals-ebook/dp/B01DUR8I4O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460233951&sr=8-1&keywords=procurement+methods%3A+effective+techniques">Click here to buy the Kindle edition now ($7.99)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/procurement-methods-lourdes-coss/1123637572?ean=9781483564821">Click here to buy the Nook edition now ($7.49)</a></li>
<li>To buy the paperback edition ($12.00), click on one of the links above on May 5, 2016 or later</li>
</ul>
<b>My semi-retirement:</b> As most of you know, I am not writing regular public contracting blogs now, but I will periodically post when important things come up. I think the publication of Lourdes Coss' book is one of those important events that people should be aware of. I know Lourdes and think very highly of her. I am still doing some consulting and training, but am trying not to take on too many commitments so I can focus on my interest in <a href="http://presidentialhistory.com/">writing</a> and <a href="http://pugetsound.edu/2016election">speaking</a> on presidential history.<br />
<br />
<b>In the media: </b>I've been contacted by the media a lot recently to comment on presidential history and the current campaign. In addition to being quoted in The Wall Street Journal and by Reuters over the last month or so, last week I had two television interviews that you can watch by clicking the links below:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.kbtc.org/page.php?id=1783">Race for President</a> with KBTC public television in Tacoma, Washington</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBX31TSNfG8&feature=youtu.be&a">Can Donald Trump Survive a Contested Convention?</a> with WHDT World News </li>
</ul>
<b>Presidential History Blog: </b>If you're interested in presidential history, you can sign up for a free email subscription to my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://presidentialhistory.com/">PresidentialHistory.com.</a><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZg0mAmOZ9E/Vwl2qTYKfLI/AAAAAAAAE0w/sUxTQbvFWfQVXQtX2HSgX2ad6OuWJun6w/s1600/PH-FacebookImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GZg0mAmOZ9E/Vwl2qTYKfLI/AAAAAAAAE0w/sUxTQbvFWfQVXQtX2HSgX2ad6OuWJun6w/s320/PH-FacebookImage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2016 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-5175394876891122016-03-07T17:52:00.000-08:002016-03-07T17:54:12.448-08:00The Perils of Piggybacking<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> I was interviewed by and quoted in <a href="http://www.wsj.com/">The Wall Street Journal</a> on March 7, 2016 about some of the questionable practices that have been used by various public agencies across the country in piggybacking off of contracts for the purchase of police body cameras. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://www.mpurdy.com/WSJ-BodyCam-Article.pdf">Click here</a> to read the article: <a href="http://www.mpurdy.com/WSJ-BodyCam-Article.pdf">"For Cities After Ferguson, a Body-Camera Dilemma."</a></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2y5OJCWvYk/Vt4s13WXi-I/AAAAAAAAExk/PEPbeRoBGhs/s1600/WSJ-CoverPage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2y5OJCWvYk/Vt4s13WXi-I/AAAAAAAAExk/PEPbeRoBGhs/s400/WSJ-CoverPage1.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Presidential History Blog:</b> Check out my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://presidentialhistory.com/">PresidentialHistory.com</a> and sign up for a free email subscription to it.</span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1g92gNu3aU/Vt4vsPmqD3I/AAAAAAAAEx0/qbt75UOSBD4/s1600/PH-FacebookImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1g92gNu3aU/Vt4vsPmqD3I/AAAAAAAAEx0/qbt75UOSBD4/s320/PH-FacebookImage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2016 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-73420772871015258152015-03-04T08:30:00.000-08:002015-12-07T19:51:27.636-08:00My Last Regular Blog Posting<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Dear Friends and Colleagues,</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">As I wrote in <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2015/01/mike-purdy-will-cut-back-on-work-as.html">my blog of January 11, 2015</a>, I have decided to stop writing regular blog postings as part of scaling back my consulting and training work, and to give me more time to focus on other interests such as writing. After March 5, 2015, the day of my last regular blog posting, I will still be accepting consulting and training opportunities</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Last Blog: </b>This will be my last regular posting on <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Blog will remain online:</b> My Public Contracting Blog will remain online at <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/">http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com</a> where you can still search by keywords and research topics based on the subject index.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lV4AG53vl9o/VL-wBIjN1DI/AAAAAAAAEaA/kmVP3PKSqEE/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lV4AG53vl9o/VL-wBIjN1DI/AAAAAAAAEaA/kmVP3PKSqEE/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Focus on Presidential History: </b>I
will be writing more frequently for my <a href="http://presidentialhistory.com/blog">Presidential History Blog</a>. </span></span><br />
<ul>
<u></u>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Blog:</u> If
you’re interested in this, you can sign up for a free email subscription
to my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Video:</u> Be sure to watch the entertaining and educational 6 minute "Presidential History News"
video that my son and I developed that is on the <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a> website. It delivers "live" news coverage of
key moments in presidential history. This first video tells the
surprising story of the presidential election returns for 1916 between
incumbent Woodrow Wilson and challenger Charles Evans Hughes.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Twitter and Facebook:</span></span></span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> Follow me on Twitter @PresHistory and "Like" my Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory">https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfvMx2PtJLQ/VL-v8mKUEWI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/GgmkWig6UlU/s1600/PHN-Image-for-SocialMedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfvMx2PtJLQ/VL-v8mKUEWI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/GgmkWig6UlU/s1600/PHN-Image-for-SocialMedia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope that my Public Contracting blogs over the last almost eight years have been helpful for you in managing the important work of public procurement and contracting. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All the best,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mike </span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2015 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>When:</b> April 2, 2015 (2:00 - 2:30 pm, Pacific Time)<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Cost:</b> Free<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Speaker:</b> <a href="http://www.foster.com/attorneys/gregory-guedel.aspx">Greg Guedel</a>, Attorney at <a href="http://www.foster.com/">Foster Pepper</a><b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Information and Registration:</b> <a href="http://www.foster.com/resources/events/how-to-pick-the-right-contractor-for-your-construc">Click here</a>. Register by March 27, 2015.<br /> </span></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2015 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-15569264892762932592015-02-25T08:45:00.000-08:002015-02-25T08:45:00.738-08:00Avoiding Closed Door Selection of a GC/CM Contractor<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> GC/CM (General Contractor/Construction Manager) is one of three alternative public works contracting methods authorized in the State of Washington. It is a form of what is generically known in the industry as Construction Manager at Risk. Some states refer to it as CM/GC (Idaho and Oregon), or CM at Risk, or CMAR, or CMR. There are differences in how this form of public works contracting is implemented.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>3 step selection process for GC/CM: </b>In Washington, the GC/CM is selected based on a combination of their scores for their proposal, their interview (not required by state law but highly recommended), and their price for their Percent Fee and Specified General Conditions costs. At each stage of this three step process, a public agency may further reduce the number of firms who will move to the next step. In some states, such as Idaho, price may not be used as part of the selection process for the CM/GC.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Previous scores must be disclosed at bid opening: </b>By state law, finalist contractors who are asked to submit their price for the Percent Fee and Specified General Conditions must be told the number of points they have received for the proposal and interview at the bid opening for their prices. <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=39.10.360">RCW 39.10.360 (4)</a> states (in part) the following: "At the time and place named, these bids must be publicly opened and read and the public body shall make all previous scoring available to the public." This provision in the law is intended to prevent public agencies from modifying scores for the proposals and interviews in order to have their favored contractor win the most number of points. The law is intended to ensure that the GC/CM selection process is a fair and transparent process.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Don't disclose scores early:</b> Some public agencies using the GC/CM process have made a different mistake and that is to publicly disclose the scores for the proposals and interviews to the finalist contractors before bids are due. This practice enables contractors to determine how low their price must be to win the project. This may result in a contractor bidding the project so low in order to get the highest number of points that there is not enough money in the project for them to make money, be successful, and complete the project.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Complexities of GC/CM:</b> GC/CM is a great project delivery tool, but it must be carefully developed and managed by the public agency. Without being aware of some of these issues and how the different cost categories for GC/CM work, a public agency may be at a significant disadvantage in using this process. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" height="108" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Presidential History:</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History Blog:</u><b> </b> While I will <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2015/01/mike-purdy-will-cut-back-on-work-as.html">discontinue writing</a> this Public Contracting Blog on March 5, 2015, you can sign up for a free email subscription to my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a case-by-case basis, I will only be accepting limited consulting and training opportunities after March 5, 2015.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History News:</u><b> </b>Be sure to watch my 6 minute video at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>
in which I report "live" on the election returns for the 1916
presidential election between Woodrow Wilson and Charles Evans Hughes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter and Facebook:</span></span></span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Follow me on Twitter @PresHistory and "Like" my Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory">https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory</a>.</span></span></span></span> </span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="39.10.360"></a> </li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2015 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-13377007870994327962015-02-24T08:30:00.000-08:002015-02-24T08:30:00.595-08:00Is It a Bid or An RFP?<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What's the difference between a Bid and a Proposal, or between an Invitation to Bid and a Request for Proposals (RFP)?<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Invitation to Bid: </b>Public agencies that issue an Invitation to Bid (or a Request for a Quote) have defined a specific scope of work for which they are requesting bid prices. Making the decision of award will be based on price alone. In other words, the bidder with the lowest price, who has submitted a responsive bid (on time, signed, bid on all items, bid guaranty included if required, etc.) will be awarded the contract.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Request for Proposal: </b>On the other hand, in an RFP price is part of the evaluation criteria that will determine which firm is awarded the contract, but the evaluation criteria also include experience, qualifications, and approach to the work. The firm submitting the lowest price may not have the highest number of overall points and may not be the one awarded the contract. Conversely, in an RFP a firm submitting a high price may end up being awarded the contract based on receiving more points for the evaluation criteria for experience, qualifications, and approach. <b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>How much is price worth?</b> In an Invitation to Bid, price is the only factor considered in making an award decision, while with an RFP price is one of many factors. To the extent that the scope of work in an RFP is very clearly defined, price should be worth a higher percentage of the overall points available as this begins to look more like a bid. To the extent that the scope of work in an RFP is less clearly defined and the public agency is relying more heavily on the judgment of the firm selected, it becomes more important that qualification, experience, and approach have more evaluation points assigned to them. <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2009/12/qualifications-and-price-as-selection.html">Click here</a> for a blog that I wrote explaining this in more detail. <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2014/12/louisiana-agencys-rfp-selection.html">Click here</a> to read about the misguided efforts of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana setting price at 25% on all RFPs.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Evaluation criteria:</b> It takes time to develop
appropriate evaluation criteria that reflect the actual values and
concerns of a public agency and that will result in the most qualified
firm being selected. Evaluation criteria must be clear to firms submitting a proposal so they understand what the expectations are for what is most important to the public agency. In establishing evaluation criteria for an RFP, the following should be part of what is published in the RFP:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Title for the criteria</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Detailed description of the criteria</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Number of points possible for each criterion</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Documentation that should be submitted to demonstrate compliance with the criteria</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Transparency is important:</b> If a public agency issues an Invitation to Bid (or a Request for a Quote), and price is the only thing requested, the expectation is that the agency will make an award decision based only on price. An agency may not, after bids have been received, then disclose subjective evaluation criteria they will use to make an award decision. If this seems obvious to many of you, it's important to bring this up because I have seen this improper practice occur.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" height="108" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Presidential History:</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History Blog:</u><b> </b> While I will <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2015/01/mike-purdy-will-cut-back-on-work-as.html">discontinue writing</a> this Public Contracting Blog on March 5, 2015, you can sign up for a free email subscription to my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a case-by-case basis, I will only be accepting limited consulting and training opportunities after March 5, 2015.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History News:</u><b> </b>Be sure to watch my 6 minute video at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>
in which I report "live" on the election returns for the 1916
presidential election between Woodrow Wilson and Charles Evans Hughes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter and Facebook:</span></span></span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Follow me on Twitter @PresHistory and "Like" my Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory">https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory</a>.</span></span></span></span> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2015 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-14551877849792671362015-02-19T08:04:00.000-08:002015-02-19T08:04:00.215-08:00New Prevailing Wages Effective March 4, 2015<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries published updated prevailing wages on February 2, 2015. According to <a href="http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-127-011">WAC 296-127-011</a>, the new prevailing wages will become effective 30 days later, or on March 4, 2015.</span><b> </b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Effective Date for Projects: </b>For any public works project with a
bid submittal deadline of March 4, 2015 or later, the new wage rates
will be in effect. For projects advertised prior to March 4, 2015, but
which have a bid submittal date of March 4, 2015 or later, public
agencies should issue an addendum with the revised prevailing wage
rates. To look up the new wage rates, <a href="https://fortress.wa.gov/lni/wagelookup/prvWagelookup.aspx">visit Labor and Industries' website</a>.<b> </b></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br />
<b>Current Prevailing Wages: </b>Projects with a bid opening date of
March 4, 2015 or earlier are governed by the current prevailing wage
rates dated August 31, 2014. Labor and
Industries publishes corrections to prevailing wages <a href="https://fortress.wa.gov/lni/wagelookup/RatesPublication.aspx">on their website</a>.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Notifying Contractors of Applicable Wages:</b> It is important for public agencies to make sure that the correct
prevailing wage rates are either included in the bidding documents for
any public works project bidding on or after March 4, 2015, or that the
bidding documents reference L&I's website and include other
information. <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2010/08/prevailing-wages-may-now-be-included-by.html">See my previous blog entry</a> on incorporation of the prevailing wage rates by reference.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>No Incorporation by Reference of Federal Wages:</b> For federally
funded projects, the actual federal prevailing wage determination must
be physically included in the bidding and contract documents, and may <u>not</u>
be just included by reference. In order to eliminate confusion on
federally funded projects, the best practice is to also physically include the
state prevailing wages in the bidding and contract documents, even
though it is permitted that Washington state prevailing wages may be
incorporated by reference.<br />
<br />
<b>Differences Between Federal and State Wages: </b>On
federally funded
projects, both federal and state prevailing wages apply and the
contractor is required to pay the higher of the two wages for any
classification of labor. Public agencies should ensure that language to
this effect is reflected in their bid and contract documents.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3mBT9GptMYQ/VNOWR87S3EI/AAAAAAAAEbg/0TaXbOiVMaY/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3mBT9GptMYQ/VNOWR87S3EI/AAAAAAAAEbg/0TaXbOiVMaY/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" height="108" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Presidential History:</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History Blog:</u><b> </b> While I will <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2015/01/mike-purdy-will-cut-back-on-work-as.html">discontinue writing</a>
this Public Contracting Blog on March 5, 2015, you can sign up for a
free email subscription to my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a case-by-case basis, I will only be accepting limited consulting and training opportunities after March 5, 2015.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History News:</u><b> </b>Be sure to watch my 6 minute video at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>
in which I report "live" on the election returns for the 1916
presidential election between Woodrow Wilson and Charles Evans Hughes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter and Facebook:</span></span></span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Follow me on Twitter @PresHistory and "Like" my Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory">https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
</ul>
</div>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2015 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-40802334778622323172015-02-18T08:30:00.000-08:002015-02-18T08:30:00.073-08:00Court Rejects Owner's Claim Against Bonding Company<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> After repeated performance deficiencies by a contractor, a public agency in Pennsylvania terminated the contract and filed a claim against the surety that issued the performance bond. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Owner didn't provide notice and opportunity to cure: </b>After multiple court motions by both the Milton Regional Sewer Authority (MRSA) and Travelers Casualty & Surety Co. (Travelers), the U.S. District Court ruled in favor of the surety, affirming that MRSA had failed to provide the contractor with proper notice of the performance deficiencies and give them an opportunity to cure the problems prior to termination. <b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Owner argues material breach the contract: </b>MRSA argued unsuccessfully that they were not required to provide the notice and give the opportunity for the contractor to cure the deficiencies because the contractor's lack of performance constituted a material breach of contract that would have allowed them to terminate without the notice and cure processes. <b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Court rules no material breach of contract: </b>The Court disagreed with MRSA, ruling that the deficiencies cited by MRSA did not constitute a material breach of contract. The contractor was guilty only of "poor performance of the contract, which is precisely within the contemplation of the cure provision in the contract."<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>More information:</b> </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/pennsylvania/pamdce/4:2013cv02786/96433/11/">June 24, 2014 Court decision</a></span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Article: <a href="http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=76cfd822-2f33-468e-8e14-2af81eb05708">"U.S. district court in Pennsylvania dismisses owner's claim against performance bond surety - repeated instances of poor performance by contractor were not so material as to allow owner to terminate without providing cure notice,"</a> by James M. Kwartnik, Jr, Attorney with Pepper Hamilton LLP, November 25, 2014 </span></span> </li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Lessons learned:</b> If a contractor is not performing consistent with the contract documents, public agencies should:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Document:</u> Thoroughly document deficiencies and the contractor's actions that are at variance with the contract documents.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Keep surety informed:</u> Communicate clearly and often with the bonding company about the deficiencies.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Abide by notice and cure provisions:</u> Follow the notice requirements of the contract for providing the contractor with the opportunity to cure deficiencies.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" height="108" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Presidential History:</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History Blog:</u><b> </b> While I will <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2015/01/mike-purdy-will-cut-back-on-work-as.html">discontinue writing</a> my Public Contracting Blog on March 5, 2015, you can sign up for a free email subscription to my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a case-by-case basis, I will only be accepting limited consulting and training opportunities after March 5, 2015.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History News:</u><b> </b>Be sure to watch my 6 minute video at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>
in which I report "live" on the election returns for the 1916
presidential election between Woodrow Wilson and Charles Evans Hughes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter and Facebook:</span></span></span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Follow me on Twitter @PresHistory and "Like" my Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory">https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2015 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-79585449882791250522015-02-17T08:45:00.000-08:002015-02-17T08:45:00.185-08:00Using Volunteers on Public Works Projects<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> In Washington state, <a href="http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=35.21.278">RCW 35.21.278</a> addresses the question of when volunteers from a community service organization may be used on a public works project.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Do competitive bidding requirements apply?</b> This state law enables certain types of public agencies to contract with certain community service organizations for certain public works projects without going through a competitive bidding process to select the community service organization. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What public agency types are covered? </b>The state law gives authority only to the following public agency types:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">County</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">City</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Town</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">School district</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Metropolitan park district</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Park and recreation district</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Port district</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Park and recreation service area</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Other types of public agencies are not covered by this law.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> </span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What is a community service organization?</b> The law states that an authorized public agency may contract with the following types of organizations:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A chamber of commerce</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A service organization</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A community, youth, or athletic association</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Other similar association located and providing service in the immediate neighborhood</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>What type of work can be performed?</b> The law provides that an authorized public agency can contract with an authorized community service organization for the following services:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Drawing design plans</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Making improvements to a park, school playground, public square, or port habitat site </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Installing equipment or artworks</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Providing maintenance services for a facility or facilities as a community or neighborhood project</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Environmental stewardship project</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Can volunteer expenses be paid?</b> The authorized public agency may reimburse the contracting association its expense. "The contracting association may use volunteers in the project and provide the volunteers with clothing or tools; meals or refreshments; accident/injury insurance coverage; and reimbursement of their expenses."<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>How much can the public agency reimburse for expenses?</b> "The value of the improvements, artworks, equipment, or maintenance shall have a value at least equal to three times that of the payment to the contracting association." In other words, if the reimbursable expenses to be paid by the public agency for an improvement was $2,000, the value of the actual improvement would have to be at least $6,000.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Are there other dollar limitations of how much can be reimbursed?</b> On an annual basis (not on a per project basis or community service organization basis), an authorized public agency may reimburse all community service organizations only up to a maximum of $25,000, or $2 "per resident within the boundaries of the public entity, whichever is greater."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> </span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" height="108" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Presidential History:</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History Blog:</u><b> </b> While I will <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2015/01/mike-purdy-will-cut-back-on-work-as.html">discontinue writing</a> this Public Contracting Blog on March 5, 2015, you can sign up for a free email subscription to my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a case-by-case basis, I will only be accepting limited consulting and training opportunities after March 5, 2015.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History News:</u><b> </b>Be sure to watch my 6 minute video at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>
in which I report "live" on the election returns for the 1916
presidential election between Woodrow Wilson and Charles Evans Hughes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter and Facebook:</span></span></span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Follow me on Twitter @PresHistory and "Like" my Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory">https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2015 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-3694430452299383972015-02-12T08:30:00.000-08:002015-02-12T08:30:00.774-08:00Avoiding Conflicts in Bid Documents<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Most public agencies have developed standard language for public works construction bid documents that includes Instructions to Bidders, the Contract, and General Conditions, often referred to as "front end documents." </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Conflicting requirements: </b>Architects and engineers hired by a public agency to design the public works construction project often include contractual terms and conditions as notes on the plans or in the technical specifications. These terms and conditions are often in conflict with the standard bid and contract language provided by the public agency.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Strategies: </b>In order to avoid such conflicts, here are a couple of strategies that agencies may use:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Review designer documents:</u> It is important for public agencies to carefully review the plans and specifications provided by architects and engineers to ensure they do not conflict with the agency's standard terms and conditions.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Educate designers on agency requirements:</u> Agencies should work with their architects and engineers to ensure they understand what is in the agency's terms and conditions. Designers should be directed not to modify or include provisions that on the plans or in the technical specifications that conflict with the agency's standard requirements.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_P6qpldSvI/VNrNiJA_35I/AAAAAAAAEcI/j0o0DouAC74/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_P6qpldSvI/VNrNiJA_35I/AAAAAAAAEcI/j0o0DouAC74/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" height="108" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Presidential History:</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History Blog:</u><b> </b> While I will <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2015/01/mike-purdy-will-cut-back-on-work-as.html">discontinue writing</a>
this Public Contracting Blog on March 5, 2015, you can sign up for a
free email subscription to my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a case-by-case basis, I will only be accepting limited consulting and training opportunities after March 5, 2015.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History News:</u><b> </b>Be sure to watch my 6 minute video at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>
in which I report "live" on the election returns for the 1916
presidential election between Woodrow Wilson and Charles Evans Hughes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter and Facebook:</span></span></span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Follow me on Twitter @PresHistory and "Like" my Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory">https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2015 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-60317739996356078282015-02-11T07:17:00.000-08:002015-02-11T07:17:00.358-08:00Training: Building Information Modeling (BIM): Reducing Conflicts in Advance<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Building Information Modeling (BIM): Reducing Conflicts in Advance</b> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">More and more public agencies, contractors, and architects/engineers are using the tools afforded by BIM to identify conflicts during design before construction, and help with building operation and maintenance issues. However, there are a host of questions about the impacts of this 3D modeling software both legally and practically.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>When:</b> March 20, 2015 (8:00 am to 12:00 pm - Pacific Time)<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Where:</b> </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Seattle, Washington (Hotel 1000, 1000 First Ave), or by </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Webcast from your office</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Cost:</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">$250 (government / non-profit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Other fees for other categories</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> Agenda:</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Introduction: Why BIM - Why Now?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Past and Future of BIM</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Legal Side of BIM</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Managing BIM and the BIM Execution Plan</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BIM from the Owner's, Contractors, and Design Professional's Perspective</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BIM and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD; What's the Difference?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BIM Coordination Solves the Problems That Cause Disputes</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Information and registration:</b> <a href="http://www.theseminargroup.net/seminar.lasso?seminar=15.bimWA#overview">Click here</a> to go to The Seminar Group's website.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" height="108" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Presidential History:</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History Blog:</u><b> </b> While I will <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2015/01/mike-purdy-will-cut-back-on-work-as.html">discontinue writing</a> this Public Contracting Blog on March 5, 2015, you can sign up for a free email subscription to my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a case-by-case basis, I will only be accepting limited consulting and training opportunities after March 5, 2015.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History News:</u><b> </b>Be sure to watch my 6 minute video at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>
in which I report "live" on the election returns for the 1916
presidential election between Woodrow Wilson and Charles Evans Hughes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter and Facebook:</span></span></span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Follow me on Twitter @PresHistory and "Like" my Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory">https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory</a>.</span></span></span></span></span> </span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2015 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3271900052374447274.post-43885522444466807652015-02-10T08:07:00.000-08:002015-02-10T08:07:00.286-08:00Comprehensive Website for Federal Contracting Issues<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I recently became aware of an excellent website (<a href="http://stanhinton.com/government_contracts_resources.htm">Government Contracts Resources</a>) that provides federal contracting resources - something applicable whether you are dealing with a federally funded project or the work is for a federal agency.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Summary: </b>Here's a summary of some of the valuable information provided on the website:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Protests</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Contract Disputes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Statutes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Regulations</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Executive Orders</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Federal Agency websites</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Research websites</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Visit: </b>Check out <a href="http://stanhinton.com/government_contracts_resources.htm">Government Contracts Resources</a> and see how it might be useful to you. I've also added it as a <a href="http://mpurdy.com/reference/">link</a> on my website with other helpful references.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HBD_zx4Dwk/VMOmKUIPsdI/AAAAAAAAEaY/CAxjQqsZxbc/s1600/Twitter-Header-WhiteHouse.jpg" height="108" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Presidential History:</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History Blog:</u><b> </b> While I will <a href="http://publiccontracting.blogspot.com/2015/01/mike-purdy-will-cut-back-on-work-as.html">discontinue writing</a> this Public Contracting Blog on March 5, 2015, you can sign up for a free email subscription to my Presidential History Blog at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On a case-by-case basis, I will only be accepting limited consulting and training opportunities after March 5, 2015.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u>Presidential History News:</u><b> </b>Be sure to watch my 6 minute video at <a href="http://www.presidentialhistory.com/">www.PresidentialHistory.com</a>
in which I report "live" on the election returns for the 1916
presidential election between Woodrow Wilson and Charles Evans Hughes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Twitter and Facebook:</span></span></span></span></u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Follow me on Twitter @PresHistory and "Like" my Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory">https://www.facebook.com/mikepurdypresidentialhistory</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog <br /> © 2015 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC <br /> http://PublicContracting.blogspot.com </span></span></blockquote>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2017 by Michael E. Purdy Associates, LLC - http://www.mpurdy.com</div>Mike Purdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15239516189299153384noreply@blogger.com0