PURCHASING, SOLICITATIONS, AND CONTRACTING

Types of Purchasing, Solicitations, and Contracting

Major categories of SHA procurements and contracts in support of the agency’s requirements include professional and consultant services, construction and development projects, recurring services needed to support property operations and products/commodities needed by departments.

In fulfilling its primary mission, SHA must comply with all applicable state, local, and HUD laws, rules, and guidelines in their procurement of goods and services, from the initial solicitation through the issuance of contracts.

Purchases generally fall into three major categories that trigger procurement related action, based primarily on anticipated contract dollar thresholds. HUD guidelines, State Law, and internal policy dictate methods and practices used for these purchases:

Contact SHA’s Procurement Specialist
Gary Harper, Procurement Specialist
Spokane Housing Authority
25 W Nora
Spokane, WA 99205
509-328-2953
purchasing@spokanehousing.org

Procurement Policy
SHA’s complete Procurement Policy can be downloaded at this link.

Tax-Exempt Status
Spokane Housing Authority, a public corporation of the State of Washington created in 1972 under the provisions of chapter 35.82 RCW, is exempt from all taxes and special assessments of the city, county, the State of Washington, or any other political subdivisions of the State in accordance with the provisions of State law, RCW 35.82.210.

The agency’s sales tax exemption is further authorized in the Washington State Administrative Code (WAC), Title 458, for the State Department of Revenue. WAC Section 458-20-189 Paragraph (6) on Retail Sales Tax Exemptions states that retail sales tax does not apply to:

“Sales to city or county housing authorities which were created under the provisions of the Washington housing authorities law, chapter 35.82 RCW. However, prime contractors and subcontractors for city or county housing authorities should refer to WAC 458-20-17001 (Government contracting – Construction, installations, or improvements to government real property) to determine their tax liability.” Please contact accountspayable@spokanehousing.org for a current SHA tax exemption form.

Prevailing Wage Requirements
As a public entity, there are instances when the Spokane Housing Authority or its contractors are required to pay either federal or state prevailing wage rates. This would be determined by the project, funding, or property. Any prevailing wage rate requirements are clearly defined in each solicitation and any resulting contracts.

• • Wage Rates
    • Department of Labor Prevailing Wage Decisions
    • Washington State Prevailing Wage Rates for Public Works Contracts
    • HUD Routine Maintenance Wage Rates
    • HUD Non-Routine Maintenance Wage Rates
• • Prevailing Wage Resources
    • WA State Prevailing Wage Job Classifications and Specifications
    • WA State Administrative Code, Title 296-Chapter 127
    • WA State Prevailing Wage Intents & Affidavits System for Contractors
    • Making Davis-Bacon Work – A Contractor’s Guide to Prevailing Wage Requirements
    • What are Bona Fide Fringe Benefits?

• • Posters
    Contractors are required to display the following posters at all public works construction job sites that are federally funded.
    • Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law
    • Employee Rights Under the Davis-Bacon Act

• • Forms
    • Certified Payroll Instructions/form
    • No Work Performed
    • Request for Additional Classification and Rate
    • Authorization to Sign Payrolls
    • Voluntary Payroll Deductions
    • Record of employee interview, English
    • Record of Employee Interview, Spanish

• • Wage Complaints?
    SHA is committed to ensuring that workers are paid properly for all the hours they work.  Employees who do not believe they have received prevailing wage on federal or state-funded projects may email purchasing@spokanehousing.org.  In addition, complaints may be filed at:
    • Davis Bacon Wage Complaints
    • Washington State Prevailing Wage Complaints

Contractor, Tradesperson or Business Requirements

• You must be a licensed Contractor, Tradesperson or Business in the State of Washington. SHA verifies this information with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
• Companies who have been declared “Debarred” are ineligible to receive SHA contract awards.
• SHA has specific Insurance Requirements. All contractors and vendors must meet these requirements.