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How to sell to Washington counties

Washington counties use formal sealed bids for materials, equipment and supplies over $50,000, with notice in the official county newspaper at least 13 days ahead and award to the lowest responsible bidder. Public works up to $350,000 can go through a small works roster, rising to $530,000 on Jan. 1, 2027. Bids need a 5% deposit, and counties pay invoices within 30 days.

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Washington has 39 counties. County purchases of materials, equipment and supplies follow RCW 36.32.245. Public works follow RCW 36.32.235 to 36.32.250 and chapter 39.04 RCW, and county road projects follow chapter 36.77 RCW. Rules differ with county size and structure: counties with a purchasing department follow RCW 36.32.235, while non-charter counties without one follow RCW 36.32.240 and 36.32.250. MRSC, a local government research center, publishes a County Bidding Book (last updated 2018) that explains these rules.

At a glance

Topic Rule Source
Who buys County legislative authority (commissioners or council) and county officers RCW 36.32.245
Goods and services Waiver under $10,000; vendor list $10,000 to $50,000; sealed bids above. Services generally not bid RCW 36.32.245; MRSC
Construction Waiver under $40,000; small works roster to $350,000 ($530,000 from Jan. 1, 2027) RCW 36.32.250; 39.04.152
Notice Official county newspaper, at least 13 days before bids are due RCW 36.32.245; 36.32.250
Award Lowest responsible bidder; all bids may be rejected for good cause RCW 36.32.245; 36.32.250
Bid security 5% of the bid RCW 36.32.250
Bonds Public works bond, generally 100%; retainage option at $150,000 or less RCW 39.08 (MRSC)
Prevailing wage Applies to all contracted public works and maintenance Ch. 39.12 RCW (DES)
Retainage Up to 5%, released after acceptance and state agency releases RCW 60.28.011 (MRSC)
Prompt payment 30 days; 1% per month interest RCW 39.76.011
Cooperative purchasing Piggybacking under interlocal agreements; state DES contracts RCW 39.34 (MRSC)
Preferences and certifications Reciprocal public works preference; responsible bidder criteria RCW 39.04.380; 39.04.350
Architects and engineers Qualifications-based selection required Ch. 39.80 RCW; AGO 2011 No. 2

Who buys

The governing body is the "county legislative authority." In non-charter counties it is a Board of County Commissioners; charter counties such as King have an elected council and executive. The purchasing statutes cover contracts by the legislative authority "or any elected or appointed county officer" (RCW 36.32.245; 36.32.250). Larger counties have a purchasing department. Whether charter counties may adopt different procurement codes was not confirmed.

Goods and services

Purchase of materials, equipment or supplies Rule
Under $10,000 Legislative authority may waive advertising and formal sealed bidding
$10,000 to $50,000 Uniform vendor-list process (RCW 39.04.190) may replace sealed bids
Over $50,000 Formal sealed bids

Source: RCW 36.32.245. Notice runs at least once in the official county newspaper at least 13 days before bids are due, specifications are on file with the clerk, bids are opened in public, and award goes to the lowest responsible bidder. How many quotes the vendor-list process requires was not confirmed.

Services. State law generally does not require counties to bid services. Exceptions include collection-agency contracts and the official newspaper (MRSC County Bidding Book). An RFP process for goods was not confirmed.

Construction and public works

  • Waiver: the legislative authority may skip advertising and bidding on public works under $40,000 (RCW 36.32.250).
  • Notice: at least once in the official newspaper, at least 13 days before bids are due (RCW 36.32.250).
  • Bid deposit: 5% of the bid, by surety bid bond, postal money order, cash, cashier's check or certified check (RCW 36.32.250).
  • Award: lowest responsible bidder; the county may reject all bids for good cause (RCW 36.32.250).
  • Bonds: a performance and payment bond, generally 100% of the contract. On contracts of $150,000 or less, the contractor may choose 10% retainage held 30 days after acceptance instead of a bond. On small works under $5,000, bonds are optional (RCW 39.08.010 and 39.08.030, per MRSC; RCW 39.04.152(5)).

Small works roster. Counties may award public works from a small works roster instead of formal bids (RCW 36.32.250; 39.04.151 to 39.04.154). Notice goes electronically to every roster contractor in the category; MRSC Rosters is the designated statewide roster (MRSC). The ceiling under RCW 39.04.152, as amended by 2026 SHB 2420:

Period Roster limit
Through Dec. 31, 2026 $350,000
Jan. 1 to June 30, 2027 $530,000
July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028 $560,000
July 1, 2028 to June 30, 2029 $590,000
July 1, 2029 to June 30, 2030 $620,000
From July 1, 2030 $650,000

Direct contracting with small businesses is allowed under $150,000 (RCW 39.04.152).

Roads. Road projects are advertised in the official paper and a trade paper once a week for two consecutive weeks. Counties may do road work with their own forces up to annual limits set by population, and they have a separate road small works roster (RCW 36.77.020, 36.77.065 and 36.77.075, per MRSC 2018; amounts may have changed).

Responsible bidder criteria. Public works bidders must show contractor registration, a UBI number, industrial insurance coverage, an Employment Security number, an excise tax number, no state debarment, a wage-violation certification, prevailing wage training and apprenticeship compliance (RCW 39.04.350, State Auditor checklist).

Notice and award

Covered above: 13 days' notice in the official county newspaper and award to the lowest responsible bidder, for both purchases and public works (RCW 36.32.245; 36.32.250). Watch commissioners' or council agendas for awards.

Prevailing wage

Washington's prevailing wage law, chapter 39.12 RCW, applies to local government public works and maintenance done by contract (Washington DES). We found no dollar threshold. Budget for certified payroll filings on every county public works job.

Getting paid

  • Prompt payment: counties pay within 30 days of receiving a proper invoice or the goods or services, whichever is later. Late payments earn 1% per month, with a $1 monthly minimum (RCW 39.76.011).
  • Retainage: up to 5% on public improvement contracts, excluding sales tax, held in a fund, escrow or retainage bond. It is released after completion and acceptance, subject to claims and releases from the Departments of Revenue and Labor and Industries and the Employment Security Department. County road projects funded with federal transportation money carry no retainage (RCW 60.28.011, per MRSC).

Cooperative purchasing and state contracts

Counties may piggyback on another agency's contract through an interlocal agreement under chapter 39.34 RCW if the host followed its own legal requirements and posted the solicitation online (RCW 39.34.030(5)(b)). The agreement is filed with the auditor or posted online (RCW 39.34.040). Counties can also use state DES contracts through a no-cost contract usage agreement (RCW 39.26.050). Source: MRSC Piggybacking guide. See cooperative purchasing.

Preferences and required certifications

  • Reciprocal preference: on public works, nonresident bidders from states with a percentage preference get a comparable disadvantage. The 2011 bill report says local agencies are covered and small works roster contracts are excluded (RCW 39.04.380; ESSB 5662 bill report).
  • Responsible bidder certifications: wage-violation certification and a state debarment check apply to public works bidders (RCW 39.04.350).
  • E-Verify, Israel boycott and Iran divestment: no county requirement found; check the solicitation.

Architects and engineers

Yes. Chapter 39.80 RCW, Washington's qualifications-based selection law, applies to counties. The county publishes its need, selects the most highly qualified firm and then negotiates price. There is no dollar threshold (RCW 39.80.020 to 39.80.050; AGO 2011 No. 2).

Recent changes

  • July 1, 2024: RCW 39.04.155 was repealed and the small works roster moved to RCW 39.04.151 to 39.04.154, with MRSC Rosters as the statewide roster (2023 c 395).
  • 2026: SHB 2420 (2026 c 97) raises the small works roster limit from $350,000 to $530,000 on Jan. 1, 2027, then in steps to $650,000 by July 1, 2030 (RCW 39.04.152).
  • Proposed: HB 2566 (2026) would raise the county purchase thresholds in RCW 36.32.245 to $20,000 and $100,000. It was referred to committee and shows no further action.

Practical tips for Washington

  • Join MRSC Rosters and the county's vendor list. Public works up to $350,000, and $530,000 from 2027, can be awarded from the roster.
  • Watch the official county newspaper. Bid notices can run just 13 days before the deadline.
  • Budget for prevailing wages and certified payroll on every public works bid, including maintenance.
  • Prepare your responsible bidder documents (registration, UBI, tax accounts, training) before you bid.
  • Check Washington counties for each county's bid platform, contacts and agendas.

Questions

What is the bid threshold for Washington county purchases?

Counties may waive formal bidding under $10,000, may use the uniform vendor-list process from $10,000 to $50,000, and use advertised sealed bids above $50,000, awarded to the lowest responsible bidder (RCW 36.32.245).

How are Washington county bids advertised?

At least once in the official county newspaper, at least 13 days before the last day bids are received (RCW 36.32.245; RCW 36.32.250).

What is the small works roster limit for Washington counties?

$350,000 through Dec. 31, 2026, then $530,000 from Jan. 1, 2027, rising in steps to $650,000 from July 1, 2030. Direct contracting with small businesses is allowed under $150,000 (RCW 39.04.152; 2026 SHB 2420).

What bid security and bonds do Washington counties require on public works?

A 5% bid deposit (RCW 36.32.250) and a performance and payment bond, generally 100% of the contract. On contracts of $150,000 or less, the contractor may choose 10% retainage instead of the bond (RCW 39.08, per MRSC).

Does Washington prevailing wage apply to county projects?

Yes. Chapter 39.12 RCW applies to local government public works and contracted maintenance, and we found no dollar floor (Washington DES; MRSC County Bidding Book).

How fast do Washington counties pay?

Within 30 days of receiving a proper invoice or the goods or services, whichever is later. Late payments earn 1% per month interest, with a $1 monthly minimum (RCW 39.76.011).

Do Washington counties use qualifications-based selection for engineers?

Yes. Chapter 39.80 RCW applies to counties: they publish the need, pick the most qualified firm, then negotiate price (AGO 2011 No. 2).

Sources

Last reviewed Oct 31, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and thresholds change; check the current statute and the bid documents.

How to sell to Washington counties | FactWise