With regard to competitive contracting, what about legal issues and lawsuits against the contractors? Is the state liable for costs?
Liability is something that is determined in court. The state competitively bids for billions of dollars worth of goods and services today. On July 1, 2005 RCW 41.06.142 will expand the scope of what services may be bid and existing risk management policies and guidelines will apply to competitive contracting awards as they do to all other contracts. As is the case in todays contracts, competitive contracting award terms and conditions will address which risks are assumed by whom and in some cases how those risks will be mitigated and managed. These terms and conditions will vary from contract to contract. GAs http://www.ga.wa.gov/competitivecontracting/CCmanual.htm Chapter 4 provides specific risk assessment guidance for agencies to consider along with additional resources.
