This chapter of the Washington Administrative Code is adopted pursuant to RCW 39.04.155, authorizing Western Washington University to adopt procedures to award contracts for construction, building, renovation, remodeling, alteration, repair, or improvement of real property in lieu of other procedures for such work with an estimated cost of $350,000 or less. The university, in establishing a small works roster, shall use the procedures set forth in this chapter.

Whenever the estimated cost of any construction or improvement of real property does not exceed $350,000, the university is authorized to use the small works roster in lieu of public advertisement for bids. In the event that the legislature further increases the small works roster limit, the university is authorized to use the small works roster for any projects up to the legislatively authorized limit. No project shall be broken into units or phases for the purpose of avoiding the maximum dollar amount of a contract that may be met using the small works roster.

The university may create a single general small works roster, or it may create a small works roster for different specialties or categories of anticipated work. The rosters may make distinctions between contractors based upon different geographic areas served by the contractors.

At least once per year, the university shall cause to be published, in a newspaper of general circulation within the counties where small works are expected to be performed, a notice of the existence of any rosters, and shall solicit the names of contractors for such roster or rosters.

Procedures shall be established for securing telephone, written, or electronic quotations from contractors on the appropriate small works roster to assure that a competitive price is established and to award contracts to the lowest responsible bidder. Bids may be solicited from all appropriate contractors on the roster or, alternatively, from at least five contractors who have indicated the capability of performing the kind of work being contracted. If the estimated cost of the work is from $250,000 to $350,000, and bids are not solicited from all appropriate contractors, all appropriate contractors must be notified that bids are being solicited. Detailed plans and specifications are not required as part of the bid invitation.

All statutes pertaining to contracts for public works shall be otherwise fully applicable to contracts awarded through the small works roster procedure.

To qualify for placement on the Western Washington University small works roster, contractors must demonstrate the following in experience and qualifications:

(1) Be a licensed contractor in the state of Washington;

(2) Have successfully completed a public works project, as defined by RCW 39.04.010; and

(3) Have experience in the area of expertise for which listing is sought.

The vice president for business and financial affairs, or designee, is authorized to establish procedures for university use of its small works roster.

A contractor may be denied placement on or, after such placement, may be removed from a small works roster for any of the following reasons:

(1) The contractor has failed to respond to five solicitations for bids on jobs offered through the small works roster;

(2) The contractor's past performance has demonstrated the firm not to be a responsible bidder per the provisions in RCW 39.04.350.