OSD board broadens opportunities for disadvantaged groups in procurement process

There will be more efforts to maximize chances for qualified businesses owned by disadvantaged groups in the service procurement process at the Olympia School District (OSD). 

The OSD Board of Directors adopted revised Policy 6925 (Architect, Engineering, and Construction-Related Professional Services) to include a clause on efforts to “maximize opportunities” for disadvantaged groups in the district’s process of procuring architecture, engineering and construction services. 

The revisions incorporated language from the Washington Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, and businesses that apply should also have a state or federal certification from the office. 

Executive Director of Operations Frank Wilson said at an Aug. 13 board meeting that the only change for the second reading and adoption is based on Director Maria Flores’s suggestion to add more inclusive language from the office. 

“It includes a broader category of those (businesses) who are … being owned and controlled by minority women, veteran, and socially and economically disadvantaged persons,” Flores said.  

First reading 

The board held the policy’s first reading on July 16, where Wilson explained the general changes to the board. 

“We have updated the policy title to Architect, Engineering and Construction-Related Professional Services to more accurately reflect the full range of professional services our district partners with,” Wilson said. 

The revisions are expected to streamline and modernize public notifications. Wilson said the “rigid requirement” to publish notices in physical publications of general circulation was removed to allow the district more flexibility in how to advertise project opportunities. 

For emergency preparedness, the district will now also be allowed to waive the standard selection process. 

“The updated policy explicitly clarifies that the district, rather than just the board, has the authority to waive the standard selection process during emergencies to ensure we can secure vital services immediately when … safety or operations are at risk,” Wilson said. 

Wilson used the roof of Capital High School collapsing on Christmas morning 2008 as an example of the safety issues that need to be addressed urgently. 

Rigorous merit-based selection based on procurement requirements and selection criteria will still be enforced to ensure the best use of public funds.

Interested firms will be required to submit a comprehensive statement of qualifications and performance data. 

For the holistic evaluation criteria, Wilson said that candidate firms will be evaluated on the quality and breadth of staff, track record with similar design projects, production capability, quality control, past client relationships and other relevant factors.