Revised Code of Washington

Title 39. Public Contracts & Indebtedness

Chapter 39.34. Interlocal Cooperation Act

 

WASH. REV. CODE ANN. §39.34.020. Definitions

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) “Public agency” means any agency, political subdivision, or unit of local government of this state including, but not limited to, municipal corporations, quasi municipal corporations, special purpose districts, and local service districts; any agency of the state government; any agency of the United States; any Indian tribe recognized as such by the federal government; and any political subdivision of another state.

(2) “State” means a state of the United States.

RCW §39.34.030 Joint powers — Agreements for joint or cooperative action, requisites, effect on responsibilities of component agencies — Financing of joint projects.

*** CHANGE IN 2015 *** (SEE 5348-S.SL) ***

Effective date: 7/24/2015

(1) Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of the state government when acting jointly with any public agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges and authority conferred by this chapter upon a public agency.

(2) Any two or more public agencies may enter into agreements with one another for joint or cooperative action pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, except that any such joint or cooperative action by public agencies which are educational service districts and/or school districts shall comply with the provisions of RCW 28A.320.080. Appropriate action by ordinance, resolution or otherwise pursuant to law of the governing bodies of the participating public agencies shall be necessary before any such agreement may enter into force.

(3) Any such agreement shall specify the following:

(a) Its duration;

(b) The precise organization, composition and nature of any separate legal or administrative entity created thereby together with the powers delegated thereto, provided such entity may be legally created. Such entity may include a nonprofit corporation organized pursuant to chapter 24.03 or 24.06 RCW whose membership is limited solely to the participating public agencies or a partnership organized pursuant to chapter 25.04 or 25.05 RCW whose partners are limited solely to participating public agencies, or a limited liability company organized under chapter 25.15 RCW whose membership is limited solely to participating public agencies, and the funds of any such corporation, partnership, or limited liability company shall be subject to audit in the manner provided by law for the auditing of public funds;

(c) Its purpose or purposes;

(d) The manner of financing the joint or cooperative undertaking and of establishing and maintaining a budget therefor;

(e) The permissible method or methods to be employed in accomplishing the partial or complete termination of the agreement and for disposing of property upon such partial or complete termination; and

(f) Any other necessary and proper matters.

(4) In the event that the agreement does not establish a separate legal entity to conduct the joint or cooperative undertaking, the agreement shall contain, in addition to provisions specified in subsection (3)(a), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of this section, the following:

(a) Provision for an administrator or a joint board responsible for administering the joint or cooperative undertaking. In the case of a joint board, public agencies that are party to the agreement shall be represented; and

(b) The manner of acquiring, holding and disposing of real and personal property used in the joint or cooperative undertaking. Any joint board is authorized to establish a special fund with a state, county, city, or district treasurer servicing an involved public agency designated “Operating fund of . . . . . . joint board”.

(5) No agreement made pursuant to this chapter relieves any public agency of any obligation or responsibility imposed upon it by law except that:

(a) To the extent of actual and timely performance thereof by a joint board or other legal or administrative entity created by an agreement made pursuant to this chapter, the performance may be offered in satisfaction of the obligation or responsibility; and

(b) With respect to one or more public agencies purchasing or otherwise contracting through a bid, proposal, or contract awarded by another public agency or by a group of public agencies, any statutory obligation with respect to provide notice for competitive bids or proposals that applies to the public agencies involved is satisfied if the public agency or group of public agencies that awarded the bid, proposal, or contract complied with its own statutory requirements and either (i) posted the bid or solicitation notice on a web site established and maintained by a public agency, purchasing cooperative, or similar service provider, for purposes of posting public notice of bid or proposal solicitations, or (ii) provided an access link on the state’s web portal to the notice.

RCW §39.34.040 Methods of filing agreements — Status of interstate agreements — Real party in interest — Actions.

Prior to its entry into force, an agreement made pursuant to this chapter shall be filed with the county auditor or, alternatively, listed by subject on a public agency’s web site or other electronically retrievable public source. In the event that an agreement entered into pursuant to this chapter is between or among one or more public agencies of this state and one or more public agencies of another state or of the United States the agreement shall have the status of an interstate compact, but in any case or controversy involving performance or interpretation thereof or liability thereunder, the public agencies party thereto shall be real parties in interest and the state may maintain an action to recoup or otherwise make itself whole for any damages or liability which it may incur by reason of being joined as a party therein. Such action shall be maintainable against any public agency or agencies whose default, failure of performance, or other conduct caused or contributed to the incurring of damage or liability by the state.

RCW §39.34.050 Duty to submit agreement to jurisdictional state officer or agency.

In the event that an agreement made pursuant to this chapter shall deal in whole or in part with the provision of services or facilities with regard to which an officer or agency of the state government has constitutional or statutory powers of control, the agreement shall, as a condition precedent to its entry into force, be submitted to the state officer or agency having such power of control. The agreement shall be approved or disapproved by the state officer or agency with regard to matters within his, her, or its jurisdiction within ninety days after receipt of the agreement. If a state officer or agency fails to act within the ninety-day time limit, the agreement shall be deemed approved by that state officer or agency.

Chapter 39.26. Procurement of Goods and Services

RCW §39.26.060. Cooperative purchasing.

(1) On behalf of the state, the department may participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer a cooperative purchasing agreement for the procurement of any goods or services with one or more states, state agencies, local governments, local government agencies, federal agencies, or tribes located in the state, in accordance with an agreement entered into between the participants. The cooperative purchasing may include, but is not limited to, joint or multiparty contracts between the entities, and master contracts or convenience contracts that are made available to other public agencies.

(2) All cooperative purchasing conducted under this chapter must be through contracts awarded through a competitive solicitation process.

RCW §39.26.125. Competitive solicitation — Exceptions.

All contracts must be entered into pursuant to competitive solicitation, except for:

(5) Purchases from master contracts established by the department or an agency authorized by the department;

(10) Intergovernmental agreements awarded to any governmental entity, whether federal, state, or local and any department, division, or subdivision thereof;

Title 43. State Government – Executive

Chapter 43.19. Department of Enterprise Services

RCW §43.19.005. Department created—Powers and duties.

(1) The department of enterprise services is created as an executive branch agency. The department is vested with all powers and duties transferred to it under chapter 43, Laws of 2011 1st sp. sess. and such other powers and duties as may be authorized by law.

(2) In addition to the powers and duties as provided in chapter 43, Laws of 2011 1st sp. sess., the department shall provide products and services to support state agencies, and may enter into agreements with any other governmental entity or a public benefit nonprofit organization, in compliance with RCW 39.34.055, to furnish such products and services as deemed appropriate by both parties. The agreement shall provide for the reimbursement to the department of the reasonable cost of the products and services furnished. All governmental entities of this state may enter into such agreements, unless otherwise prohibited.

Title 28B. Higher Education

Chapter 28B.10. Colleges and Universities Generally

RCW §28B.10.029. Property purchase and disposition—Independent printing production and purchasing authority—Purchase of correctional industries products.

(1)(a) An institution of higher education may, consistent with RCW 28B.10.925 and 28B.10.926, exercise independently those powers otherwise granted to the director of enterprise services in chapters 43.19 and 39.26 RCW in connection with the purchase and disposition of all material, supplies, services, and equipment needed for the support, maintenance, and use of the respective institution of higher education.

(d) Purchases under chapter ((39.29)) 39.26, 43.19, or 43.105 RCW by institutions of higher education may be made by using contracts for materials, supplies, services, or equipment negotiated or entered into by, for, or through group purchasing organizations.