March 30, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLYMPIA – Reforms that were a decade in the works about how state government spends more than $1 billion annually will take effect in January 2013 now that the changes have been signed into law.

Gov. Chris Gregoire today signed HB 2452 into law. The legislation, which focuses on how state government buys various goods and services, is designed to make the purchasing process more open, competitive, efficient and easier to understand.

A trio of laws that once governed state purchasing practices will now be consolidated under the Department of Enterprise Services. This will enable a common approach for developing contracts.

Among its many duties, Enterprise Services manages a wide range of contracts that state agencies and local governments can use.

Key highlights of the reforms:

• Contractors and agencies will be allowed to submit bid documents and signatures electronically for ease of transaction.
• The lowest bid will no longer be the only factor for awarding a contract. Best-value considerations will be permitted in determining an award.
• State agencies will have to submit sole-source contracts to Enterprise Services for review and approval, but will no longer go through the same process for personal-service contracts that are competitively bid.
• Agencies will post information about awarded contracts on a web page that Enterprise Services will maintain for public viewing.
• Enterprise Services will be able to debar contractors for cause.

"These are reforms will make it easier for business to contract with the state and make the process simpler and more transparent for both the private sector and the public," said Joyce Turner, director of Enterprise Services.

Enterprise Services is now developing the new policies and rules for purchasing. They are expected to be issued in the fall of 2012.

Enterprise Services is one state government's newest agencies. It began Oct. 1, 2011 following the consolidation of all or portions of five former agencies.

Contact:
Jim Erskine, Communications
Enterprise Services
360 407-9212
jim.erskine@des.wa.gov