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COVID-19 Information

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Media Inquiries

Linda Kent
Public Affairs Director
(360) 972-6413

DES Communications
(360) 407-8200

Other Questions?

Communications@des.wa.gov

Updated Sept. 20, 2021 1:23 p.m.

The coronavirus disease outbreak (COVID-19) is impacting how we live, work and interact in locations across Washington State. Guidance and resources for COVID-19 topics related to the Department of Enterprise Services are listed below.

Capitol Campus

Public meetings and records

Employee Assistance Program

DES Contracting and Leasing

Fleet

Mail

PPE COVID-19 Response

Real Estate Services

Surplus

Training

 

Capitol Campus

Displays, Banners and Event Permits

DES has resumed issuing permits for outdoor events as well as banners on the Capitol Way pedestrian bridge.

Facial coverings are required for large outdoor events with 500 or more attendees (effective Sept. 13, 2021).

DES is considering the permitting of events inside the Legislative Building as early as Dec. 1, 2021.

The agency continues to issue permits for all other types of displays on campus.

Access to Buildings

When in doubt, call the agency before you visit.

Most buildings are only allowing entry for employees who have a badge. Decisions on building access levels are made in coordination with building tenants. Conversations with building tenants throughout the campus regarding restoring public access are ongoing.

The Legislative (Capitol) Building has reopened. DES has resumed its public tours, civic education tours, and botanical tours of the campus.

Building Name Status
Adams Building (DCYF) Closed to public
Capitol Court Closed to public
Helen Sommers Closed to public
Highways Licenses Open
Insurance Building Open
Irving R. Newhouse Closed to public
Joel M. Pritchard Closed to public
John A. Cherberg Closed to public
John L. O’Brien Closed to public
Justice James Dolliver Building Open to employees;
restricted for public
Legislative (Capitol) Building

Open

Note: Senate and House fourth floor gallery doors closed to public
Legislative Services Print Shop Closed to public
Natural Resources Building Closed to public
Office Building 2 Closed to public
Old Capitol Building (OSPI) Closed to public
Raad Closed to public
State Archives Open
Transportation Building Closed to public
Temple of Justice Closed to public

Suspended Activities

Governor’s Mansion tours are managed by the Governor’s Mansion Foundation, and are scheduled to restart in Sept. 2021.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Daily cleaning and disinfecting the Capitol Campus includes restroom surfaces. Targeted cleaning and disinfection are available upon request to building tenants. If you need additional support, contact the Property Manager or Work Management Center at (360) 725-0000.

Parking

Current parking procedures for the Capitol Campus:

Visitor parking
Monthly parking fee
  • Parking fees will continue to be deducted from employee pay
  • Employees may cancel their parking at any time
  • Even if they cancel, employees who are on a waiting list for a different parking assignment will keep their standing on the list.
  • Learn more.
Day passes
  • The process for getting a parking day pass is different during this time of increased remote work. Learn more.
Parking assignments
  • Please continue to park only where you are authorized. (WAC 200-200).

 

Contact the Parking Office

The Parking Office is temporarily closed to walk-in traffic, however, you can contact staff members who are working from home: parking@des.wa.gov, (360) 725-0030, Parking Office webpage.

Public Records and Open Public Meetings during COVID-19 response

  • Meetings are virtual and open to the public in compliance with the Governor's Proclamation 20-28.
  • DES continues to respond to Public Records Requests, with some changes:
    • DES isn't required to provide in-person access to records
    • DES offices don't need to be open for public inspection and copying of public records
    • DES now has longer than five business days to respond to a request

For questions about the OPMA or Public Records Requests, contact us at publicrecords@des.wa.gov.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is in full operation across the state, offering services via phone and telehealth platforms. Additional support and resources are available to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, community violence, civil unrest and national crises on emotional and mental health and on overall well-being. Visit eap.wa.gov or call (877) 313 - 4455 for additional support and resources.

DES Contracting and Leasing

COVID-19 vaccination requirement information

Proclamation 21-14.1 requires state workers as well as contractors who perform on-site work to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 unless they qualify for an exemption. Guidance and resources can be found here: https://www.governor.wa.gov/VaccineMandateFAQ.

 

COVID-19 Purchase Exception Aug. 31, 2021

Agencies that need to replace goods and services that are currently provided by contractors or suppliers who do not comply with proclamation requirements may use the COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Purchase Exception.
Agencies are required to maintain a log of expenditures made using the purchase exception. See the template.

Information on statewide master contracts for goods and services

DES identified statewide master contracts for goods and services that require on-site work. DES will contact vendors and review declarations for compliance with the proclamation. If a contractor is listed as verified, agencies retain authority to check for compliance, but are not required to do so. If a contractor is not listed as verified, and for all other master contracts that might have optional on-site work, the agency should work directly with the contractor to validate compliance.

See vendor list - updated Sept. 20, 2021 at 1:23 p.m.

 

Information on leased facilities

How does DES do verification work, and which leases does it cover?

  • DES will contact lessors and review declarations from landlords for facilities that DES enters into lease contracts for on behalf of agencies (signs the lease).
    • See the list of non-compliant or non-responsive leases - Coming Soon
  • Landlords will be responsible to verify with DES that there is compliance for services they provide, such as tenant improvement projects, maintenance work, other services provided in the lease by the lessor (e.g. janitorial services), and lessor’s on-site vendors.

What are agencies responsible for?

  • Agencies will be responsible to determine compliance with the proclamation requirements for any on-site vendors contracted directly by the agency, such as security, or janitorial services not supplied by the lessor.
  • Agency contracts making use of a DES master contract should follow the guidance provided for master contracts.
  • Agencies do not need to provide a copy of these declarations to DES.

Does the Proclamation apply to subleases?

Yes. If the State holds the master lease, and subleases space to another State agency or Private tenant, the proclamation applies to all spaces within the master lease including all subleased space.

If the State is subleasing from a private tenant, the Proclamation applies to the State space.

Agencies that sublease space from another agency should work with the master lease holder to determine compliance.

Does the Proclamation apply to janitorial workers or security guards?

See guidance on which contractors are included in the Proclamation requirements: https://www.governor.wa.gov/VaccineMandateFAQ#Contractors.

Who will request and track declarations for leases delegated to the agency?

The agency will be responsible for meeting the requirements including verifying compliance with the lessor under Proclamation 12-14.1 in delegated leased facilities for the lease and lessor as contractor.

 

Information on public works contracts

DES will contact contractors and review declarations for all public works contracts that the agency oversees for compliance with the proclamation. Agencies will be responsible to ensure compliance with the proclamation requirements for any on-site vendors contracted directly by the agency, such as security, or janitorial services not supplied by the lessor.

To check a contractor’s status, contact the project manager.

 

Fleet Operations

The DES Fleet Operations Vehicle Maintenance Facility on Fones Road in Olympia has resumed normal operations for customers of Thurston and Mason Counties.

Fleet Operations is closely following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines and recommendations. For service, schedule an appointment online or call (360) 664-9200.

For minor repairs...
  • Pull into the shop and stay in your vehicle. A service provider will address your needs.
For all other services...
  • Leave the keys in the ignition.
  • Go to the window in the shop door for directions. If you need a loaner vehicle, they will direct you to the dispatch office for vehicle pick-up.
For those outside of Thurston and Mason counties...
  • You can find an approved service location near you by leaving a voicemail at (800) 542-6840. A fleet operations representative will get back to you as soon as possible.

 

Consolidated Mail Services (CMS)

As an essential service, Consolidated Mail Services (CMS) is operating on its normal schedule. CMS is following all CDC guidelines and protocols. If you have questions about your specific business needs, contact CMS customer service at CMSmail@des.wa.gov.

PPE COVID-19 Response

Purchasing, donations and delivery

The state is still receiving PPE from prior orders sourced by the DES contracts team but is not pursuing new purchases for the state PPE backstop at this time. Organizations may be purchasing PPE through state master contracts, requests for proposals, and other means. If you have something to sell and want to engage in a business relationship with the state, please follow these instructions to complete the online vendor registration process.

The state has ceased seeking bulk donations and is instead encouraging organizations that have PPE to donate directly to local communities and nonprofit organizations.

Learn more about state PPE efforts.

Real Estate Services

Surplus

Online auctions

The Surplus Operations program resumed online auctions for vehicles, heavy equipment and other miscellaneous items including computer monitors, cell phones, tires. Auction previews and pick-ups are by appointment only.

Retail store replaced by new digital storefront with "Buy Now" option

Surplus Operations launched an all new digital storefront to replace the Tumwater retail location. Registered users of the platform can use the "Buy Now" option to purchase any item in the store. View the current inventory.

For more information, visit the Surplus Operations Hours & Location page or call (360) 407-2270.

Training

Trainings are being offered and delivered virtually.

A vibrant roster of classes are being offered and delivered virtually, including Leading Others and Inclusive Leadership: Mitigating Implicit Bias in Hiring.

To learn about all current training options, search the Learning Center catalog for "wa-state virtual" or search the Training and Development webpage for "virtual."

Our Online Learning Resources for Workforce Development page provides timely and relevant on-demand learning experiences across nine learning pathways. LinkedIn Learning subscriptions also provide access to thousands of courses taught by industry experts.

If you have questions, email traininginfo@des.wa.gov or refer to the Online Learning Resources for Workforce Development page.