DES wants to hear from you!
We are improving our website and want to know how it can better serve you. Take this survey to make des.wa.gov more useful.
Access the Sole Source Contracts Database
State agencies and higher education institutions must file their sole source and emergency contracts with DES. Use the Sole Source Contracts Database (SSCD) for guidance on the process.
Logging in
If you already have a login provided by us and have access to the statewide intranet, go to the Sole Source Contracts Database. If you do not have access, contact brooke.jensen@des.wa.gov for assistance.
To facilitate the requirements of RCW 39.26, state agencies and institutions of higher education must file sole source and related amendments in the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) Sole Source Contracts Database (SSCD) for DES approval or review.
The questions asked within the SSCD are designed to assist state agencies and institutions of higher education in providing succinct and compelling justifications for awarding sole source contracts. The questions are based upon the following business and/or operational topics:
- Business need
- Unique qualifications of the vendor or product
- Market research
- Considerations for small businesses (supplier diversity) and unbundling services
- Special circumstances
Filing requirements
Direct Buy Threshold: Sole source contracts need to be filed if their value is greater than (a) $30,000, or (b) $40,000 if the purchase is being made from a small business as defined by RCW 39.26.010(22), or from a certified veteran-owned business. Sole source contracts less than these amounts meet direct buy requirements and are not required to be filed.
Filing timelines
- Sole source contract and amendment filings must be entered at a minimum of 15 working days prior to the anticipated start of work date for DES approval. Working days do not include holidays, weekends, and the day you file your sole source contract in the SSCD.
- Sole source exempt contract filings must be filed within 20 working days of contract execution.
- Emergency contract filings must be filed within 10 working days after the start of work or contract execution - whichever comes first.
Non-State Funds – Higher Education Only: Institutions of higher education must file sole source and emergency contracts only when state funds are greater than 50 percent (%) of the total contract consideration.
Checking the Status of Your Filing: Agencies and institutions of higher education can view the status of their filings by visiting their Filing Queue in the SSCD.
Filing justifications
Outlines to help with the sole source and emergency contract and amendment filing process:
Related policies
DES-130-00
This policy establishes criteria and qualifications, reporting requirements and timelines, and reporting exemptions related to emergency purchases. See RCW 39.26.130. These reporting requirements promote state agency transparency of emergency purchases which are exceptions from competition. See RCW 39.36.125(1).
DES-140-00
This policy applies whenever an agency intends to purchase or lease goods and/or services under Chapter 39.26 RCW that are only available from a single source as defined in RCW 39.26.010(23).
Contact us
Brooke Jensen
Sole Source Oversight Administrator
Phone 360-790-8256
Email Brooke.Jensen@des.wa.gov