Starting July 1, 2024, MRSC Rosters is the official home of the small works roster for Washington State (RCW 39.04.151(2)). This centralized system simplifies the process for public agencies seeking qualified contractors for small works projects under $350,000.
We have unveiled many changes to the MRSC Rosters website as a result, including updated business categories, enhanced filtering tools, and new reporting functionalities to comply with state law. These changes primarily affect the small works roster (public works), not the MRSC Rosters consultant or vendor rosters.
What does this mean for businesses?
Starting July 1, annual business renewals, as well as future business sign-ups, will be free! (These changes apply only to the small works roster; fees still apply for the MRSC Rosters consultant and vendor rosters.)
We have also unveiled many changes to the MRSC Rosters website, including updated business categories, enhanced filtering tools, and new reporting functionalities to comply with state law.
As soon as possible:
- All existing MRSC Rosters business members should review their user accounts to make sure the email addresses and other contact information are up-to-date and that the project types and work categories accurately reflect the type of work you can “prime.” Contractors are also encouraged to review the list of public agencies you selected to confirm they are truly agencies you would consider bidding to.
- If you provide “purchased services” or maintenance contracts, such as landscape maintenance or janitorial services: Make sure to sign up for the MRSC Rosters vendor roster. Purchased services and maintenance contracts that fall outside the definition of “small works” will now be procured using the vendor roster, even if prevailing wages are required in some cases.
- Make sure you have applied for any relevant state certifications, including OMWBE’s new Public Works Small Business Enterprises (PWSBE) certification. Businesses certified through the Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) receive preferences for small public works “direct contracting” opportunities under new state law. OMWBE’s new PWSBE certification program is race- and gender-neutral and applies to small businesses owned by economically disadvantaged individuals. PWSBE certification is free through June 30, 2025.
Contractors should also watch for new “direct contract” opportunities. For small public works contracts under $150,000, new state law allows public agencies to direct contract with individual contractors, using “rotation” principles to avoid repeatedly favoring one contractor over others. If you receive an Invitation to Direct Contract/Negotiate, this means that your business is the only one receiving the current invitation.
What does this mean for public agencies?
All state agencies and local governments with public works authority are authorized to use the statewide MRSC small works roster. However, you are not required to use the statewide roster and may still use your own roster or another agency’s roster.
There are also many significant changes to the small works roster contracting process that take effect July 1, including a new option to “direct contract” or negotiate with an individual contractor for contracts under $150,000.
As soon as possible, public agency members should:
- Read MRSC’s new Small Works Roster Manual (formatted as a series of webpages, not a PDF) and the new roster statutes to understand the new small works contracting processes. There are many changes to the competitive bidding requirements, as well as a new option to “direct contract” or negotiate with an individual contractor for public works contracts under $150,000.
- Adopt a new resolution and update any existing procedures, as required by state law, to reflect the new small works requirements. See MRSC’s sample resolution for all three rosters (small works, vendor, and consultant) (.docx file download) or sample resolution for the small works roster only (.docx file download).
- If intending to use the “direct contracting” option for public works contracts under $150,000: Adopt a rotation policy to avoid repeatedly favoring one contractor; establish a business utilization plan for awarding contracts to small/certified businesses; and adopt procedures outlining how direct contract award amounts will be determined. Examples are available on the Small Works Roster Manual Direct Contracting page.
- Update the information on your agency’s public-facing website if needed.
Public agencies are strongly encouraged to sign up for all three of MRSC’s rosters (small works, vendor, and consultant) for efficiency and ease of connecting with businesses.
Training materials for public agencies
MRSC has conducted several training sessions to prepare local governments for the new roster procedures. Below are the resources from those training sessions:
August 1, 2024 Webinar: Using the Statewide Small Works Roster Platform
- Webinar Recording
- Webinar Slide Deck
- Webinar Q&A and Key Takeaways – Provides a summary of key points and answers user questions received before and during the webinar
May 2024 In-Person Workshops: “Preparing for the Future: Changes to the Small Works Roster”
- “Preparing for the Future” Slide Deck
- Workshop Handout – Includes sample scope development checklist, bidder responsibility checklist, ordinance/resolution, rotation policy, and business utilization plan
- Workshops Q&A and Key Takeaways – Answers many questions asked at the workshops as well as additional questions received outside the workshops
Questions?
For any questions, please contact MRSC Rosters customer service.