SB570 – Creating a new process for acquiring up to five hybrid diesel-electric ferries.
Prime Sponsor – Senator Liias (D; 21st District; Everett) (Co-Sponsors King, Holy – Rs, Randall, Rolfes, Nguyen, Van De Wege, Hunt, and C. Wilson – Ds)
Current status – Scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee at 4:00 PM on Monday March 20th.
Next step would be – Action by the committee.
Legislative tracking page for the bill.
HB1846 is a companion bill in the House.

Summary –
The bill would allow acquiring up to five hybrid diesel-electric ferries using a using a one or two contract procurement approach. (This would replace the current three stage request for proposals process, which includes a requirement that the ferries be built in Washington.) The new contracts would be for a minimum of two vessels, with options for up to five. They could be acquired through a design-build or design-bid-build process, or leased with an option to buy. The evaluation criteria might include a credit between 5% and 10% of the proposal for vessels constructed in Washington, as well as adjustments for the additional costs of transport and owner oversight for construction at ship yards located at a greater distance from Seattle; for meeting state requirements about apprenticeships or other state or federal equivalents; and for meeting water pollution control requirements.

Contracts eligible for Federal funds would have to comply with Federal disadvantaged business enterprise targets as outlined by the awarding agency. The Department would have to contract with third-party experts with knowledge of and experience with inland waterways, Puget Sound vessel operations, the propulsion system of the new vessels, and Washington state ferries operations to perform project quality oversight and report to the transportation committees of the Legislature and to OFM twice a year on project schedule, risks, and project budget; to assist with the management of change order requests; and to advise on contract and technical matters.