RCW ch. 39.10 — Revised Code of Washington Chapter 39.10 RCW — Alternative Public Works Contracting Procedures

RCW 39.10.200 Finding—Purpose—Intent. The legislature finds that the traditional process of awarding public works contracts in lump sum to the lowest responsible bidder is a fair and objective method of selecting a contractor. However, under certain circumstances, alternative public works contracting procedures may best serve the public interest if such procedures are implemented in an open and fair process based on objective and equitable criteria. In addition, alternative public works contracting can provide increased access to contracting opportunities for small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses. The purpose of this chapter is to authorize the use of certain supplemental alternative public works contracting procedures, to prescribe appropriate requirements to ensure that such contracting procedures serve the public interest and advance contracting opportunities for small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses to the extent permitted by law, and to establish a process for evaluation of such contracting procedures. It is the intent of the legislature to establish that, unless otherwise specifically provided for in law, public bodies may use only those alternative public works contracting procedures specifically authorized in this chapter, subject to the requirements of this chapter. It is also the intent of the legislature that inclusion plans required by this chapter may include, with public body approval and to the extent permitted by law, features to improve access to opportunities, including outreach and mentorship, capital including, modified payment provisions, training, and other features intended to maximize the participation and success of small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses. [ 2023 c 395 s 4; 2010 1st sp.s. c 21 s 2; 2007 c 494 s 1; 1994 c 132 s 1. Formerly RCW 39.10.010.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.210 Definitions. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter. (1) "Alternative public works contracting procedure" means the design-build, general contractor/construction manager, and job order contracting procedures authorized in RCW 39.10.300, 39.10.340, and 39.10.420, respectively. (2) "Board" means the capital projects advisory review board. (3) "Budget contingencies" means contingencies established by a public body outside of the design-build or general contractor/construction manager contract for payment of project costs that are not the responsibility of the design-builder or general contractor/construction manager under the respective contract. (4) "Certified public body" means a public body certified to use design-build or general contractor/construction manager contracting procedures, or both, under RCW 39.10.270. (5) "Coefficient" means the job order contractor's competitively bid numerical factor applied to the public body's prices as published in the unit price book. (6) "Committee," unless otherwise noted, means the project review committee. (7) "Design-build procedure" means a contract between a public body and another party in which the party agrees to both design and build the facility, portion of the facility, or other item specified in the contract. (8) "General contractor/construction manager" means a firm with which a public body has selected to provide services during the design phase and negotiated a maximum allowable construction cost to act as construction manager and general contractor during the construction phase. (9) "Heavy civil construction project" means a civil engineering project, the predominant features of which are infrastructure improvements. (10) "Job order contract" means a contract in which the contractor agrees to a fixed period, indefinite quantity delivery order contract which provides for the use of work orders for public works as defined in RCW 39.04.010. (11) "Job order contractor" means a registered or licensed contractor awarded a job order contract. (12) "Maximum allowable construction cost" means the maximum cost of the work to construct the project including a percentage for risk contingency, negotiated support services, and approved change orders. (13) "Negotiated support services" means items a general contractor would normally manage or perform on a construction project including, but not limited to surveying, hoisting, safety enforcement, provision of toilet facilities, temporary heat, cleanup, and trash removal, and that are negotiated as part of the maximum allowable construction cost. (14) "Percent fee" means the percentage amount to be earned by the general contractor/construction manager as overhead and profit. (15) "Price-related factor" means an evaluation factor that impacts costs which may include, but is not limited to overhead and profit, lump sum or guaranteed maximum price for the entire or a portion of the project, operating costs, or other similar factors that may apply to the project. (16) "Public body" means any general or special purpose government in the state of Washington, including but not limited to state agencies, institutions of higher education, counties, cities, towns, ports, school districts, and special purpose districts. (17) "Public works project" means any work for a public body within the definition of "public work" in RCW 39.04.010. (18) "Risk contingency" means a contingency for use as defined in the contract and established as part of the maximum allowable construction cost for unexpected cost of work items that have not otherwise been included or addressed in the maximum allowable construction cost. (19) "Small business" means a small business as defined in RCW 39.04.010. (20) "Total contract cost" means the fixed amount for the detailed specified general conditions work, the negotiated maximum allowable construction cost, and the percent fee on the negotiated maximum allowable construction cost. (21) "Total project cost" means the cost of the project less financing and land acquisition costs. (22) "Unit price book" means a book containing specific prices, based on generally accepted industry standards and information, where available, for various items of work to be performed by the job order contractor. (23) "Work order" means an order issued for a definite scope of work to be performed pursuant to a job order contract. [ 2023 c 395 s 5; 2021 c 230 s 1; 2019 c 212 s 1. Prior: 2014 c 42 s 1; 2013 c 222 s 1; prior: 2010 1st sp.s. c 36 s 6014; 2007 c 494 s 101; 2005 c 469 s 3; prior: 2003 c 352 s 1; 2003 c 301 s 2; 2003 c 300 s 3; 2001 c 328 s 1; 2000 c 209 s 1; 1997 c 376 s 1; 1994 c 132 s 2. Formerly RCW 39.10.020.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.220 Board—Membership—Vacancies. (1) The board is created in the department of enterprise services to provide an evaluation of public capital projects construction processes, including the impact of contracting methods on project outcomes, and to advise the legislature on policies related to public works delivery methods. (2) Members of the board identified in (a) through (f) of this subsection must be knowledgeable or have experience in public works procurement and contracting, including state and federal laws, rules, and best practices concerning public contracting for small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses, and are appointed as follows: (a) Two representatives from construction general contracting; one representative from the architectural profession; one representative from the engineering profession; two representatives from construction specialty subcontracting; two representatives from construction trades labor organizations; one representative from the office of minority and women's business enterprises; one representative from a higher education institution; one representative from the department of enterprise services; one individual representing Washington cities; two representatives from private industry; one individual from the private sector representing the interests of the small, minority, women, or veteran-owned businesses community; and one representative of a domestic insurer authorized to write surety bonds for contractors in Washington state, each appointed by the governor. The board must reflect the gender, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of the state, including the interests of persons with disabilities. If a vacancy occurs, the governor shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term; (b) One member representing counties, selected by the Washington state association of counties; (c) One member representing public ports, selected by the Washington public ports association; (d) One member representing public hospital districts, selected by the association of Washington public hospital districts; (e) One member representing school districts, selected by the Washington state school directors' association; (f) One member representing transit, selected by the Washington state transit association; and (g) Two members of the house of representatives, one from each major caucus, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and two members of the senate, one from each major caucus, appointed by the president of the senate. Legislative members are nonvoting. (3) Members selected under subsection (2)(a) of this section shall serve for terms of four years, with the terms expiring on June 30th on the fourth year of the term. (4) The board chair is selected from among the appointed members by the majority vote of the voting members. (5) Legislative members of the board shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members of the board, project review committee members, and committee chairs shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. (6) Vacancies are filled in the same manner as appointed. Members of the board may be removed for malfeasance or misfeasance in office, upon specific written charges by the governor, under chapter 34.05 RCW. (7) The board shall meet as often as necessary. (8) Board members are expected to consistently attend board meetings. The chair of the board may ask the governor to remove any member who misses more than two meetings in any calendar year without cause. (9) The department of enterprise services shall provide staff support as may be required for the proper discharge of the function of the board. (10) The board may establish committees as it desires and may invite nonmembers of the board to serve as committee members. (11) The board shall provide opportunities for persons and entities not represented on the board to participate and provide insights on matters of interest to the board, particularly with respect to the experiences of small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses. [ 2023 c 395 s 6; 2021 c 230 s 2; 2013 c 222 s 2; 2007 c 494 s 102; 2005 c 377 s 1. Formerly RCW 39.10.800.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.230 Board—Powers and duties. The board has the following powers and duties: (1) Develop and recommend to the legislature policies to encourage competition and to further enhance the quality, efficiency, and accountability of and equitable participation by small, minority, women, or veteran-owned businesses in capital construction projects through the use of traditional and alternative delivery methods in Washington, and make recommendations regarding best practices, expansion, continuation, elimination, or modification of the alternative public works contracting methods, including specific recommendations for reducing barriers for and increasing participation by small, minority, women, or veteran-owned businesses; (2) Evaluate the use of existing contracting procedures and the potential future use of other alternative contracting procedures including competitive negotiation contracts; (3) Submit recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature evaluating alternative contracting procedures that are not authorized under this chapter; (4) Appoint members of committees; and (5) Direct the department of enterprise services to collect quantitative and qualitative data on alternative public works contracting procedures to support the board's work in meeting the purpose established in RCW 39.10.220(1). [ 2023 c 395 s 7; 2021 c 230 s 3; 2013 c 222 s 3; 2010 1st sp.s. c 21 s 3; 2009 c 75 s 1; 2007 c 494 s 103; 2005 c 377 s 2. Formerly RCW 39.10.810.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.240 Project review committee—Creation—Members. (1) The board shall establish a project review committee to review and approve public works projects using the design-build and general contractor/construction manager contracting procedures authorized in RCW 39.10.300 and 39.10.340 and to certify public bodies as provided in RCW 39.10.270. (2) The board shall, by a majority vote of the board, appoint persons to the committee who are knowledgeable in the use of the design-build and general contractor/construction manager contracting procedures. Appointments must represent a balance of public and private sector representatives of the board listed in RCW 39.10.220, and must include at least one member representing the interests of small, minority, women, or veteran-owned businesses. (a) Each member of the committee shall be appointed for a term of three years. However, for initial appointments, the board shall stagger the appointment of committee members so that the first members are appointed to serve terms of one, two, or three years from the date of appointment. Appointees may be reappointed to serve more than one term. (b) The committee shall, by a majority vote, elect a chair and vice chair for the committee. (c) The committee chair may select a person or persons on a temporary basis as a nonvoting member if project specific expertise is needed to assist in a review. (3) The chair of the committee, in consultation with the vice chair, may appoint one or more panels of at least six committee members to carry out the duties of the committee. Each panel shall have balanced representation of the private and public sector representatives serving on the committee, and shall include a member representing the interests of small, minority, women, or veteran-owned businesses. (4) Any member of the committee directly or indirectly affiliated with a submittal before the committee must recuse himself or herself from the committee consideration of that submittal. (5) Any person who sits on the committee or panel is not precluded from subsequently bidding on or participating in projects that have been reviewed by the committee. (6) The committee shall meet as often as necessary to ensure that certification and approvals are completed in a timely manner. [ 2023 c 395 s 8; 2021 c 230 s 4; 2013 c 222 s 4; 2007 c 494 s 104.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.250 Project review committee—Duties. The committee shall: (1) Certify, or renew certification for, public bodies to use design-build or general contractor/construction manager contracting procedures, or both; (2) Review and approve the use of the design-build or general contractor/construction manager contracting procedures on a project by project basis for public bodies that are not certified under RCW 39.10.270; (3) Review and approve the use of alternative subcontractor selection under RCW 39.10.385 on a project-by-project basis for public bodies that are not certified under RCW 39.10.270, which review and approval may be concurrent with project approval; and (4) Review and approve not more than two design-build demonstration projects that include procurement of operations and maintenance services for a period longer than three years. [ 2021 c 230 s 5; 2019 c 212 s 2; 2013 c 222 s 5; 2009 c 75 s 2; 2007 c 494 s 105.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.260 Project review committee—Meetings—Open and public. (1) The committee shall hold regular public meetings to carry out its duties as described in RCW 39.10.250. Committee meetings are subject to chapter 42.30 RCW. (2) The committee shall publish notice of its public meetings at least twenty days before the meeting in a legal newspaper circulated in the area where the public body seeking certification is located, or where each of the proposed projects under consideration will be constructed. All meeting notices must be posted on the committee's website. (3) The meeting notice must identify the public body that is seeking certification or project approval, and where applicable, a description of projects to be considered at the meeting. The notice must indicate when, where, and how the public may present comments regarding the committee's certification of a public body or approval of a project. Information submitted by a public body to be reviewed at the meeting shall be available on the committee's website at the time the notice is published. (4) The committee must allow for public comment on the appropriateness of certification of a public body or on the appropriateness of the use of the proposed contracting procedure and the qualifications of a public body to use the contracting procedure. The committee shall receive and record both written and oral comments at the public meeting. [ 2013 c 222 s 6; 2007 c 494 s 106.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.270 Project review committee—Certification of public bodies—Exemption for the department of transportation. (1) A public body may apply for certification to use the design-build or general contractor/construction manager contracting procedure, or both. Once certified, a public body may use the contracting procedure for which it is certified on individual projects without seeking committee approval for a period of three years. A public body seeking certification must submit to the committee an application in a format and manner as prescribed by the committee. The application must include a description of the public body's qualifications, its capital plan during the certification period, and its intended use of alternative contracting procedures. (2) A public body seeking certification for the design-build procedure must demonstrate successful management of at least one design-build project within the previous five years. A public body seeking certification for the general contractor/construction manager procedure must demonstrate successful management of at least one general contractor/construction manager project within the previous five years. (3) To certify a public body, the committee shall determine that the public body: (a) Has the necessary experience and qualifications to determine which projects are appropriate for using alternative contracting procedures; (b) Has the necessary experience and qualifications to carry out the alternative contracting procedure including, but not limited to: (i) Project delivery knowledge and experience; (ii) personnel with appropriate construction experience; (iii) a management plan and rationale for its alternative public works projects; (iv) demonstrated success in managing public works projects; (v) the ability to properly manage its capital facilities plan including, but not limited to, appropriate project planning and budgeting experience; and (vi) the ability to meet requirements of this chapter; and (c) Has resolved any audit findings on previous public works projects in a manner satisfactory to the committee. (4) The committee shall make its determination at the public meeting during which an application for certification is reviewed. Public comments must be considered before a determination is made. Within 10 business days of the public meeting, the committee shall provide a written determination to the public body, and make its determination available to the public on the committee's website. (5) The committee may revoke any public body's certification upon a finding, after a public hearing, that its use of design-build or general contractor/construction manager contracting procedures no longer serves the public interest. (6) The committee may renew the certification of a public body for additional three-year periods. The public body must submit an application for recertification at least three months before the initial certification expires. The committee may accept late applications, if administratively feasible, to avoid expiration of certification on a case-by-case basis. The application shall include updated information on the public body's experience and current staffing with the procedure it is applying to renew, and any other information requested in advance by the committee. The committee must review the application for recertification at a meeting held before expiration of the applicant's initial certification period. A public body must reapply for certification under the process described in subsection (1) of this section once the period of recertification expires. (7) Certified public bodies must submit project data information as required in RCW 39.10.320 and 39.10.350. (8) The department of transportation is not subject to the certification requirements under this section to use the design-build procedure, progressive design-build procedure, or any general contractor/construction manager contracting procedure on individual projects. [ 2025 c 231 s 1; 2019 c 212 s 3; 2017 c 211 s 1; 2013 c 222 s 7; 2009 c 75 s 3; 2007 c 494 s 107.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.280 Project review committee—Project approval process—Exemption for the department of transportation. (1) A public body not certified under RCW 39.10.270 must apply for approval from the committee to use the design-build or general contractor/construction manager contracting procedure on a project. A public body seeking approval must submit to the committee an application in a format and manner as prescribed by the committee. The application must include a description of the public body's qualifications, a description of the project, the public body's intended use of alternative contracting procedures, and, if applicable, a declaration that the public body has elected to procure the project as a heavy civil construction project. (2) To approve a proposed project, the committee shall determine that: (a) The alternative contracting procedure will provide a substantial fiscal benefit or the use of the traditional method of awarding contracts in lump sum to the low responsive bidder is not practical for meeting desired quality standards or delivery schedules; (b) The proposed project meets the requirements for using the alternative contracting procedure as described in RCW 39.10.300 or 39.10.340; (c) The public body has the necessary experience or qualified team to carry out the alternative contracting procedure including, but not limited to: (i) Project delivery knowledge and experience; (ii) sufficient personnel with construction experience to administer the contract; (iii) a written management plan that shows clear and logical lines of authority; (iv) the necessary and appropriate funding and time to properly manage the job and complete the project; (v) continuity of project management team, including personnel with experience managing projects of similar scope and size to the project being proposed; and (vi) necessary and appropriate construction budget; (d) For design-build projects, public body personnel or consultants are knowledgeable in the design-build process and are able to oversee and administer the contract; and (e) The public body has resolved any audit findings related to previous public works projects in a manner satisfactory to the committee. (3) The committee shall, if practicable, make its determination at the public meeting during which a submittal is reviewed. Public comments must be considered before a determination is made. (4) Within 10 business days after the public meeting, the committee shall provide a written determination to the public body, and make its determination available to the public on the committee's website. If the committee fails to make a written determination within 10 business days of the public meeting, the request of the public body to use the alternative contracting procedure on the requested project shall be deemed approved. (5) Failure of the committee to meet within sixty calendar days of a public body's application to use an alternative contracting procedure on a project shall be deemed an approval of the application. (6) Except as provided in RCW 47.20.785(2), the department of transportation is not subject to the project approval requirements under this section. [ 2025 c 231 s 2; 2014 c 42 s 2; 2013 c 222 s 8; 2007 c 494 s 108.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.290 Appeal process. Final determinations by the committee may be appealed to the board within seven days by the public body or by an interested party. A written notice of an appeal must be provided to the committee and, as applicable, to the public body. The board shall resolve an appeal within forty-five days of receipt of the appeal and shall send a written determination of its decision to the party making the appeal and to the appropriate public body, as applicable. The public body shall comply with the determination of the board. [ 2007 c 494 s 109.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.300 Design-build procedure—Uses—Washington State University may perform design-build demonstration projects. (1) Subject to the requirements in RCW 39.10.250, 39.10.270, or 39.10.280, public bodies may utilize the design-build procedure, including progressive design-build, for public works projects in which the total project cost is over $2,000,000 and where: (a) The construction activities are highly specialized and a design-build approach is critical in developing the construction methodology; or (b) The projects selected provide opportunity for greater innovation or efficiencies between the designer and the builder; or (c) Significant savings in project delivery time would be realized. (2) Subject to the process in RCW 39.10.270 or 39.10.280, public bodies may use the design-build procedure, including progressive design-build, for parking garages and preengineered metal buildings, regardless of cost. (3) The design-build procedure may be used for the construction or erection of portable facilities as defined in WAC 392-343-018, or not more than 10 prefabricated modular buildings per installation site, regardless of cost and is not subject to approval by the committee. (4) Except for utility projects and approved demonstration projects, the design-build procedure may not be used to procure operations and maintenance services for a period longer than three years. State agency projects that propose to use the design-build-operate-maintain procedure shall submit cost estimates for the construction portion of the project consistent with the office of financial management's capital budget requirements. Operations and maintenance costs must be shown separately and must not be included as part of the capital budget request. (5) Subject to the process in RCW 39.10.280, a public body may seek committee approval for a design-build demonstration project that includes procurement of operations and maintenance services for a period longer than three years. (6) Washington State University may perform design-build demonstration projects with a total project cost under $2,000,000 to develop best practices in encouraging participation of small business entities and of minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses, and in managing capital projects under $2,000,000. Washington State University shall provide reports to the board every other year, starting with two years after May 10, 2021. Such reports shall include information on the type of projects performed, the initial and final project cost and schedule of the projects, participation of small business entities and of minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses, and the best practices derived from the projects. The report shall include outreach measures developed in concert with the office of minority and women's business enterprises. [ 2021 c 230 s 6; 2019 c 212 s 4; 2013 c 222 s 9; 2009 c 75 s 4; 2007 c 494 s 201. Prior: 2003 c 352 s 2; 2003 c 300 s 4; 2002 c 46 s 1; 2001 c 328 s 2. Formerly RCW 39.10.051.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.320 Design-build procedure—Project management and contracting requirements. (1) A public body utilizing the design-build contracting procedure shall provide: (a) Reasonable budget contingencies totaling not less than five percent of the anticipated contract value; (b) Staff or consultants with expertise and prior experience in the management of comparable projects; (c) Contract documents that include alternative dispute resolution procedures to be attempted prior to the initiation of litigation; (d) Submission of project information, as required by the board; (e) Contract documents that require the contractor, subcontractors, and designers to submit project information required by the board; and (f) Contract documents that require the design builder to submit plans for inclusion of underutilized firms as subcontractors and suppliers including, but not limited to, the office of minority and women's business enterprises certified businesses, veteran certified businesses, and small businesses as allowed by law. (2) A public body utilizing the design-build contracting procedure may provide incentive payments to contractors for early completion, cost savings, or other goals if such payments are identified in the request for proposals. [ 2019 c 212 s 5; 2013 c 222 s 10; 2007 c 494 s 203; 1994 c 132 s 7. Formerly RCW 39.10.070.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.330 Design-build contract award process. (1) Contracts for design-build services shall be awarded through a competitive process using public solicitation of proposals for design-build services. At a minimum, the public body shall publish at least once in a legal newspaper of general circulation published in, or as near as possible to, that part of the county in which the public work will be done, a notice of its request for qualifications from proposers for design-build services, and the availability and location of the request for proposal documents. The public body is encouraged to post the design-build opportunity in additional areas, such as websites for business associations or the office of minority and women's business enterprises, to further publicize the opportunity for qualified design-build teams. The request for qualifications documents shall include: (a) A description of the project including the estimated design-build contract value and the intended use of the project; (b) The reasons for using the design-build procedure; (c) A description of the qualifications to be required of the proposer; (d) A description of the process the public body will use to evaluate qualifications and finalists' proposals, including evaluation factors and the relative weight of factors and any specific forms to be used by the proposers; (i) Evaluation factors for qualifications shall include technical qualifications, such as specialized experience and technical competence of the firms and the key design and construction personnel; capacity to perform; the proposer's past performance in utilization of business entities certified with the office of minority and women's business enterprises, including small businesses and business entities certified with the department of veterans affairs, to the extent permitted by law; ability to provide a performance and payment bond for the project; and other appropriate factors. Cost or price-related factors are not permitted in the request for qualifications phase; (ii) Evaluation factors for finalists' proposals shall include the management plan to meet time and budget requirements and one or more price-related factors. Evaluation factors must include a proposer's inclusion plan for business entities certified with the office of minority and women's business enterprises, including small businesses and business entities certified with the department of veterans affairs as subconsultants, subcontractors, and suppliers for the project, to the extent permitted by law. Evaluation factors may also include, but not be limited to, the technical approach or the design concept; (e) Protest procedures including time limits for filing a protest, which in no event may limit the time to file a protest to fewer than four business days from the date the proposer was notified of the selection decision; (f) The proposed contract; (g) The honorarium to be paid to finalists submitting responsive proposals and who are not awarded a design-build contract; (h) The schedule for the procurement process and the project; and (i) Other information relevant to the project. (2) The public body shall establish an evaluation committee to evaluate the responses to the request for qualifications based solely on the factors, weighting, and process identified in the request for qualifications and any addenda issued by the public body. Based on the evaluation committee's findings, the public body shall select not more than five responsive and responsible finalists to submit proposals. The public body may, in its sole discretion, reject all proposals and shall provide its reasons for rejection in writing to all proposers. (3) The public body must notify all proposers of the finalists selected to move to the next phase of the selection process. The process may not proceed to the next phase until two business days after all proposers are notified of the committee's selection decision. At the request of a proposer not selected as a finalist, the public body must provide the requesting proposer with a scoring summary of the evaluation factors for its proposal. Proposers filing a protest on the selection of the finalists must file the protest in accordance with the published protest procedures. The selection process may not advance to the next phase of selection until two business days after the final protest decision is transmitted to the protestor. (4) Upon selection of the finalists, the public body shall issue a request for proposals to the finalists. The request for proposal documents shall include: (a) Any specific forms to be used by the finalists; and (b) Submission of a summary of the finalist's accident prevention program and an overview of its implementation. (5) The public body shall establish an evaluation committee to evaluate the proposals submitted by the finalists. The finalists' proposals shall be evaluated and scored based solely on the factors, weighting, and process identified in the request for qualifications, the request for proposals, and in any addenda published by the public body. Public bodies may request best and final proposals from finalists. The public body may initiate negotiations with the finalist submitting the highest scored proposal. If the public body is unable to execute a contract with the finalist submitting the highest scored proposal, negotiations with that finalist may be suspended or terminated and the public body may proceed to negotiate with the next highest scored finalist. Public bodies shall continue in accordance with this procedure until a contract agreement is reached or the selection process is terminated. (6) The public body shall notify all finalists of the selection decision and make a selection summary of the final proposals available to all proposers within two business days of such notification. If the public body receives a timely written protest from a finalist firm, the public body may not execute a contract until two business days after the final protest decision is transmitted to the protestor. The protestor must submit its protest in accordance with the published protest procedures. (7) The firm awarded the contract shall provide a performance and payment bond for the contracted amount before the start of construction and no later than 10 days upon request from the public body. A performance and payment bond is not required for the portion of the design-build contract that includes design services, preconstruction services, and other services that are not public works construction included in the contract. (8) Any contract must require the firm awarded the contract to track and report to the public body and to the office of minority and women's business enterprises its utilization of the office of minority and women's business enterprises certified businesses and veteran certified businesses. (9) The public body shall provide appropriate honorarium payments to finalists submitting responsive proposals that are not awarded a design-build contract. Honorarium payments shall be sufficient to generate meaningful competition among potential proposers on design-build projects. In determining the amount of the honorarium, the public body shall recognize the level of effort required to meet the selection criteria. [ 2025 c 103 s 1; 2023 c 395 s 9; 2021 c 230 s 7; 2019 c 212 s 6; 2014 c 19 s 1; 2013 c 222 s 11; 2009 c 75 s 5; 2007 c 494 s 204.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.340 General contractor/construction manager procedure—Uses. Subject to the process in RCW 39.10.270 or 39.10.280, public bodies may utilize the general contractor/construction manager procedure for public works projects where at least one of the following is met: (1) Implementation of the project involves complex scheduling, phasing, or coordination; (2) The project involves construction at an occupied facility which must continue to operate during construction; (3) The involvement of the general contractor/construction manager during the design stage is critical to the success of the project; (4) The project encompasses a complex or technical work environment; (5) The project requires specialized work on a building that has historic significance; or (6) The project is, and the public body elects to procure the project as, a heavy civil construction project. However, no provision of this chapter pertaining to a heavy civil construction project applies unless the public body expressly elects to procure the project as a heavy civil construction project. [ 2014 c 42 s 3; 2013 c 222 s 12; 2007 c 494 s 301. Prior: 2003 c 352 s 3; 2003 c 300 s 5; 2002 c 46 s 2; 2001 c 328 s 3. Formerly RCW 39.10.061.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.350 General contractor/construction manager procedure—Project management and contracting requirements. (1) A public body using the general contractor/construction manager contracting procedure shall provide for: (a) The preparation of appropriate, complete, and coordinated design documents; (b) Confirmation that a constructability analysis of the design documents has been performed prior to solicitation of a subcontract bid package; (c) Reasonable budget contingencies totaling not less than five percent of the anticipated contract value; (d) To the extent appropriate, on-site architectural or engineering representatives during major construction or installation phases; (e) Employment of staff or consultants with expertise and prior experience in the management of comparable projects, critical path method schedule review and analysis, and the administration, pricing, and negotiation of change orders; (f) Contract documents that include alternative dispute resolution procedures to be attempted before the initiation of litigation; (g) Contract documents that: (i) Obligate the public owner to, in writing, accept, dispute, or reject a request for equitable adjustment, change order request, or claim within a specified time period but no later than 30 calendar days after the receipt by the public body of related documentation; (ii) provide that, if the request is disputed or rejected, the public owner shall state in writing why part or all of the request is disputed or rejected; and (iii) provide that if the public owner does not respond in writing to a request for equitable adjustment, change order request, or claim within the specified time period, the contractor shall not be deemed to have waived any right to the claims process; (h) Submission of project information, as required by the board; and (i) Contract documents that require the contractor, subcontractors, and designers to submit project information required by the board. (2) A public body using the general contractor/construction manager contracting procedure may include an incentive clause for early completion, cost savings, or other performance goals if such incentives are identified in the request for proposals. No incentives granted may exceed five percent of the maximum allowable construction cost. No incentives may be paid from any contingency fund established for coordination of the construction documents or coordination of the work. (3) If the construction is completed for less than the maximum allowable construction cost, any savings not otherwise negotiated as part of an incentive clause shall accrue to the public body. If the construction is completed for more than the maximum allowable construction cost, the additional cost is the responsibility of the general contractor/construction manager. (4) If the public body and the general contractor/construction manager agree, in writing, on a price for additional work, the public body must issue a change order within 30 days of the written agreement. If the public body does not issue a change order within the 30 days, interest shall accrue on the dollar amount of the additional work satisfactorily completed until a change order is issued. The public body shall pay this interest at a rate of one percent per month. [ 2021 c 230 s 8; 2014 c 42 s 4; 2007 c 494 s 302.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.360 General contractor/construction manager procedure—Contract award process. (1) Public bodies should select general contractor/construction managers at a time in the project when the general contractor/construction manager's participation provides value. (2) Contracts for the services of a general contractor/ construction manager under this section shall be awarded through a competitive process requiring the public solicitation of proposals for general contractor/construction manager services. At a minimum, the public body shall publish at least once in a legal newspaper of general circulation published in, or as near as possible to, that part of the county in which the public work will be performed, a notice of its request for qualifications from proposers for general contractor/construction manager services, and the availability and location of the request for proposal documents. The public body is encouraged to post the general contractor/construction manager opportunity in additional areas, such as websites for business associations or the office of minority and women's business enterprises, to further publicize the opportunity for qualified general contractors/construction managers. The public solicitation of proposals shall include: (a) A description of the project, including programmatic, performance, and technical requirements and specifications when available; (b) The reasons for using the general contractor/construction manager procedure; (c) A description of the qualifications to be required of the firm, including submission of the firm's accident prevention program; (d) A description of the process the public body will use to evaluate qualifications and proposals, including evaluation factors, the relative weight of factors, and protest procedures including time limits for filing a protest, which in no event may limit the time to file a protest to fewer than four business days from the date the proposer was notified of the selection decision; (e) The form of the contract, including any contract for preconstruction services, to be awarded; (f) The estimated maximum allowable construction cost; and (g) The bid instructions to be used by the general contractor/construction manager finalists. (3) Evaluation factors for qualifications of the general contractor/construction manager shall include, but not be limited to: (a) Experience and technical competence of key personnel; (b) The proposer's past performance with negotiated or similarly complex projects; (c) The proposer's capacity to perform the work; (d) The scope of work the firm proposes to self-perform and its past performance of that scope of work; (e) The proposer's approach to executing the project, including ability to meet the project time and budget requirements; and (f) The proposer's past performance in utilization of business entities certified with the office of minority and women's business enterprises, including small businesses and business entities certified with the department of veterans affairs and the inclusion plan for business entities certified with the office of minority and women's business enterprises, including small businesses and business entities certified with the department of veterans affairs as subconsultants, subcontractors, and suppliers for the project, to the extent permitted by law. (4) A public body shall establish a committee to evaluate the proposals. After the committee has selected the most qualified finalists, at the time specified by the public body, these finalists shall submit final proposals, which must include sealed bids for the percent fee on the estimated maximum allowable construction cost and which may include other price-related factors identified in the request for proposal. In no event shall a price-related factor include a request for overall project budget, estimate, or bid. The public body shall establish a time and place for the opening of sealed bids. 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. The public body shall select the firm submitting the highest scored final proposal using the evaluation factors and the relative weight of factors published in the public solicitation of proposals. A public body shall not evaluate or disqualify a proposal based on the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. (5) The public body shall notify all finalists of the selection decision and make a selection summary of the final proposals available to all proposers within two business days of such notification. If the public body receives a timely written protest from a proposer, the public body may not execute a contract until two business days after the final protest decision is transmitted to the protestor. The protestor must submit its protest in accordance with the published protest procedures. (6) Public bodies may contract with the selected firm to provide services during the design phase that may include life-cycle cost design considerations, value engineering, scheduling, cost estimating, constructability, alternative construction options for cost savings, and sequencing of work, and to act as the construction manager and general contractor during the construction phase. [ 2023 c 395 s 10; 2021 c 230 s 9; 2014 c 42 s 5; 2013 c 222 s 13; 2009 c 75 s 6; 2007 c 494 s 303.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.370 General contractor/construction manager procedure—Maximum allowable construction cost. (1) The maximum allowable construction cost shall be used to establish a total contract cost for which the general contractor/construction manager shall provide a performance and payment bond. The maximum allowable construction cost shall be negotiated between the public body and the selected firm when the construction documents and specifications are at least ninety percent complete. (2) Major bid packages may be bid in accordance with RCW 39.10.380 before agreement on the maximum allowable construction cost between the public body and the selected general contractor/construction manager. The general contractor/construction manager may issue an intent to award to the responsible bidder submitting the lowest responsive bid. (3) The public body may, at its option, authorize the general contractor/construction manager to proceed with the bidding and award of bid packages and construction before receipt of complete project plans and specifications. Any contracts awarded under this subsection shall be incorporated in the negotiated maximum allowable construction cost. (4) The total contract cost includes the fixed amount for the detailed specified general conditions work, the negotiated maximum allowable construction cost, the negotiated support services, and the percent fee on the negotiated maximum allowable construction cost. Unless portions or all are converted to lump sum, negotiated support services shall be treated as a contractual allowance, subject to reconciliation at the conclusion of work. (5) If the public body is unable to negotiate a satisfactory maximum allowable construction cost with the firm selected that the public body determines to be fair, reasonable, and within the available funds, negotiations with that firm shall be formally terminated and the public body shall negotiate with the next highest scored firm and continue until an agreement is reached or the process is terminated. (6) If the maximum allowable construction cost varies more than 15 percent from the bid estimated maximum allowable construction cost due to requested and approved changes in the scope by the public body, the percent fee shall be renegotiated. [ 2021 c 230 s 10; 2014 c 42 s 6; 2007 c 494 s 304.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.380 General contractor/construction manager procedure—Subcontract bidding procedure. (1) All subcontract work and equipment and material purchases shall be competitively bid with public bid openings and require the public solicitation of the bid documents. At a minimum, the general contractor/construction manager shall publish at least once in a legal newspaper of general circulation published in, or as near as possible to, that part of the county in which the subcontract work will be performed, a notice of its request for bid, and the availability and location of the bid documents. The general contractor/construction manager is encouraged to post the subcontract opportunity in additional areas beyond the legal newspaper as required by this subsection, such as websites for business associations, the office of minority and women's business enterprises, and other locations and mediums that will further publicize the opportunity for qualified subcontractors. Subcontract bid packages and equipment and materials purchases shall be awarded to the responsible bidder submitting the lowest responsive bid. In preparing subcontract bid packages, the general contractor/construction manager shall not be required to violate or waive terms of a collective bargaining agreement. Individual bid packages are to be prepared with trades separated in the manner consistent with industry practice to maximize participation and competition across all trades. Bundling of trades not normally combined into one bid package is not allowed without justification and specific approval by the public body. Bid packages must be prepared to reduce barriers for and increase participation by business entities certified with the office of minority and women's business enterprises, including small businesses and business entities certified with the department of veterans affairs. (2) All subcontract bid packages in which bidder eligibility was not determined in advance shall include the specific objective criteria that will be used by the general contractor/construction manager and the public body to evaluate bidder responsibility. If the lowest bidder submitting a responsive bid is determined by the general contractor/construction manager and the public body not to be responsible, the general contractor/construction manager and the public body must provide written documentation to that bidder explaining their intent to reject the bidder as not responsible and afford the bidder the opportunity to establish that it is a responsible bidder. Responsibility shall be determined in accordance with criteria listed in the bid documents. Protests concerning bidder responsibility determination by the general contractor/construction manager and the public body shall be in accordance with subsection (4) of this section. (3) All subcontractors who bid work over $300,000 shall post a bid bond. All subcontractors who are awarded a contract over $300,000 shall provide a performance and payment bond for the contract amount. All other subcontractors shall provide a performance and payment bond if required by the general contractor/construction manager. (4) If the general contractor/construction manager receives a written protest from a subcontractor bidder or an equipment or material supplier, the general contractor/construction manager shall not execute a contract for the subcontract bid package or equipment or material purchase order with anyone other than the protesting bidder without first providing at least two full business days' written notice to all bidders of the intent to execute a contract for the subcontract bid package. The protesting bidder must submit written notice of its protest no later than two full business days following the bid opening. Intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are not counted. (5) A low bidder who claims error and fails to enter into a contract is prohibited from bidding on the same project if a second or subsequent call for bids is made for the project. (6) The general contractor/construction manager may negotiate with the lowest responsible and responsive bidder to negotiate an adjustment to the lowest bid or proposal price to reduce cost based upon agreed changes to the contract plans and specifications under the following conditions: (a) All responsive bids or proposal prices exceed the published bid package estimates; and (b) The apparent low responsive bid or proposal does not exceed the published bid package estimates by more than 10 percent. (7) If the negotiation is unsuccessful, the subcontract work or equipment or material purchases must be rebid. (8) The general contractor/construction manager must provide a written explanation to the public body if all bids are rejected. [ 2023 c 395 s 11; 2021 c 230 s 11; 2013 c 222 s 14; 2007 c 494 s 305.] NOTES: Sunset Act application: RCW 39.10.385 General contractor/construction manager procedure—Alternative subcontractor selection process. The selection process in this section may be used by public bodies certified under RCW 39.10.270. It may also be used by noncertified public bodies if this selection process has been approved for the project by the project review committee. As an alternative to the subcontractor selection process outlined in RCW 39.10.380, a general contractor/construction manager may, with the approval of the public body, select one or more subcontractors using the process outlined in this section. This alternative selection process may only be used when the anticipated value of the subcontract will exceed $3,000,000. When using the alternative selection process, the general contractor/construction manager should select the subcontractor early in the life of the public works project. (1) In order to use this alternative selection process, the general contractor/construction manager and the public body must determine that it is in the best interest of the public. In making this determination the general contractor/construction manager and the public body must: (a) Publish a notice of intent to use this alternative selection process in the same legal newspaper where the public solicitation of proposals is published. The general contractor/construction manager and public body are encouraged to post the notice in additional areas beyond the legal newspaper as required under this subsection, such as websites for business associations, the office of minority and women's business enterprises, and other locations and mediums that will further publicize the intent to use this alternative selection process. Notice must be published at least 14 calendar days before conducting a public hearing. The notice must include the date, time, and location of the hearing; a statement justifying the basis and need for the alternative selection process; and how interested parties may, prior to the hearing, obtain the following: (i) The evaluation criteria and applicable weight given to each criteria that will be used for evaluation, including clear definitions of what should be considered specified general conditions work and what should be considered the fee; and (ii) protest procedures including time limits for filing a protest, which may, in no event, limit the time to file a protest to fewer than four business days from the date the proposer was notified of the selection decision. The evaluation criteria, weights assigned to each criteria, and justification for using this selection process must be made available upon request at least seven calendar days before the public hearing; (b) Conduct a hearing and provide an opportunity for any interested party to submit written and verbal comments regarding the justification for using this selection process, the evaluation criteria, weights for each criteria, and protest procedures; (c) After the public hearing, consider the written and verbal comments received and determine if using this alternative selection process is in the best interests of the public; and (d) Issue a written final determination to all interested parties. The final determination shall state the reasons the alternative selection process is determined to be in the best interests of the public and shall reasonably address the comments received regarding the criteria and weights for each criterion. Any modifications to the criteria, weights, and protest procedures based on comments received during the public hearing process must be included in the final determination. All protests of the decision to use the alternative selection process must be in writing and submitted to the public body within seven calendar days of the final determination. The public body shall not proceed with the selection process until after responding in writing to the protest. (2) Contracts for the services of a subcontractor under this section must be awarded through a competitive process requiring a public solicitation of proposals. Notice of the public solicitation of proposals must be provided to the office of minority and women's business enterprises. The public solicitation of proposals must include: (a) A description of the project, including programmatic, performance, and technical requirements and specifications when available, along with a description of the project's unique aspects, complexities, and challenges; (b) The reasons for using the alternative selection process; (c) A description of the minimum qualifications required of the firm; (d) A description of the process used to evaluate qualifications and proposals, including evaluation factors and the relative weight of factors; (e) Protest procedures; (f) The form of the contract, including any contract for preconstruction services, to be awarded; (g) The estimated maximum allowable subcontract cost; and (h) The bid instructions to be used by the finalists. (3) Evaluation factors for selection of the subcontractor must include, but not be limited to: (a) Ability of the firm's professional personnel to deliver projects similar in size, scope, or complexity; (b) The firm's past performance on projects similar in size, scope, or complexity; (c) The firm's ability to meet time and budget requirements on projects similar in size, scope, or complexity; (d) The scope of work the firm proposes to perform with its own force