In addition to agencies that are expressly allowed by law to use contracts with unit prices, MRSC pointed out that some other types of agencies (e.g. B, fire districts) may be able to use contracts with unit prices below their tender limits set for public works, as these projects have no legal bidding requirements and do not meet the criteria for «contracts» according to RCW 39.04.010 (2), since they would not be intended for a fixed or determinable amount. If the three distribution conditions listed under Distribution of the remaining balance are not met within 90 days of the end of the agreement, SPS will transfer equal shares of the remaining cash balance to an account identified by the VPR and an account identified by the VPFA, whether the remaining funds have exceeded 50% or $10,000. SPS then closes the service account. There is no appeal or appeal procedure for accounts that do not meet the conditions listed in the distribution of the remaining balance within 90 days of the end of the project. The various enabling statutes of the different agencies (see above) all stipulate that an individual price contract is a «tender contract», but do not provide more clarity than that. MRSC interprets this wording to mean that eligible organizations must meet their tendering requirements and that all contracts must be offered at a unit price, regardless of the estimated order quantity, following a competitive procedure. In addition, MRSC has already noted that some agencies that are not expressly permitted above may be able to use unit price contracts below their legal offer limits if they are set out by policies, as described later on this page. Prices for different tasks can be based on different units. Commonly used units include: Various suppliers are also available as implementing partners for some national framework agreements.

Fulfillment partners are specified in the following contracts in the pricing and order documents. Each organization authorized to use unit price contracts has separate enabling legislation (see below). However, the different laws all contain the same definition of a contract with a unit price: during a contract, it may happen that the initial unit prices do not affect certain elements of work required. In these situations, new positions may be added in order of modification, or the work may be done under a work order of time and material. Until recently, no agency had a specific legal authority to conclude public works contracts on demand or at unit prices, although some agencies have resorted to such contracts. To take advantage of government contracts, entities sign a master use agreement If a local organization that does not have specific legal authority to use unit price contracts pursues this option after careful consideration of its enabling laws, we recommend establishing a policy for unit price contracts and limiting the total dollar amount over the life of the contract to an amount that is below the the Agency. Contract contracts typically have a much broader scope than single-price contracts, include every conceivable construction task/project, and have a stricter bidding process. Contract contracts also require that at least 90% of the work be outsourced, making it less suitable for small organizations and small public works projects.

Principal Investigators (PIs) and administrators are expected to request all facilities and the administrative (Q&A)/indirect rate for on- or off-campus activities related to projects sponsored under fixed agreements, in accordance with OPMP 40.25. A public works contract at unit price, sometimes referred to as a public works contract on demand, occurs when a local government awards contracts for an unknown number of small public works projects over a certain period of time («undetermined quantity, undetermined frequency»). In 2012, the Court of Auditors (SAO) found that public works contracts «on demand» were not approved by state laws, indicating that they could potentially violate public works and applicable wage laws. The Court of Auditors recommended that local courts establish policies, procedures and internal controls to ensure compliance with public works and applicable remuneration laws. Unit price contracts differ from contracts under RCW 39.10.420 ff. Until 2019, contracts were only allowed for certain large public sector bodies. However, all public sector bodies now have the right to bid on contracts. Unit price contracts are often used for the repair, renovation or maintenance of public facilities, all of which fall under «public works» within the meaning of section 39.04.010(4) of the RCW. When entering into a fixed-price agreement, sponsored Programs Services (SPS) applies the R&A/indirect cost rate applicable to the cash balance, thereby reducing the remaining amount of available funds. Questions and answers and indirect costs are allocated according to the guidelines established by the university.

See BPPM 40.09, 40.25 and Executive Policy Manual EP2. Unit price contracts allow public bodies to enter into contracts for multiple or recurring small public works projects over time without having to propose each project separately. This saves the agency time and money, especially for unforeseen projects that can occur at the last minute. If the three conditions listed under Distribution of the remaining balance are met within 90 days of the end of the agreement, the remaining cash balance will first be used to settle any non-recoverable or overdrawn accounts for which the Principal Investigator (PI) was the project leader. To be considered a traditional public works contract rather than a unit price, a system-wide maintenance or repair contract must cover certain activities planned and budgeted in advance (as opposed to unit price contracts that cover activities that are not specifically planned and do not have a fixed budget). While traditional public works contracts are awarded for specific projects or areas with a certain total monetary value, unit price contracts are not associated with a particular project, do not guarantee the scope of work, and do not set a total monetary value (although the contract may limit the dollar value to a certain level during the term of the contract). Instead, the agency agrees to pay a defined «unit price» for certain types of work or trades planned (but not planned) over a period of time. When a particular project is identified, individual work orders are approved either on the basis of a deadline and material «not to be exceeded» or on the basis of a lump sum negotiated using previously set unit prices. Fixed-price agreements are defined as agreements for which the sponsor submits a fixed price for the work. Fixed prices are usually defined as contracts with scheduled payments. The city uses a variety of methods to procure goods and services.

These methods include obtaining quotes, using government contracts, obtaining requests for competencies (RFQu), requesting quotes (RFFP), and obtaining informal or formal quotes. The purchase method used is defined by the type and dollar amount of the purchase. All purchasing processes are governed by state law, the Spokane Municipal Code, and city policies and procedures. As local governments begin using unit price contracts under the new legal authority, MRSC will look for examples of offer documents and unit price contracts. If you have any examples that you would like to share with us, please email Gabrielle Nicas in gnicas@mrsc.org. `[A] competitive tendering contract in which public works are regularly expected to meet the commercial or operational needs of the [type of agency], where the contractor accepts a fixed and indefinite quantity of works at a fixed unit price for each category of construction.` However, system-wide maintenance and repair contracts should not cover unforeseen projects or emergency repairs that would fall within the scope of the contract award at unit price. .