The purpose of WACS is to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and information and to enhance the professionalism of governmental procurement personnel. Objectives include: serving as a forum for the exchange of ideas and information about governmental contracting and procurement, identifying issues of statewide significance, increasing the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the governmental procurement process, and providing training to its members on governmental contracting and procurement issues.

Membership in WACS is open to any employee of a Washington state agency who is interested in, or whose job duties involve, procurement and contracting. DES manages an email distribution list that members can use to exchange information or seek help from procurement professionals at other agencies. To be added to the email distribution list, please send a request to DESCPAdmins@des.wa.gov.

Twice a year (March and September) DES will host WACS meetings to discuss procurement and contracting issues of statewide significance and share any information and updates that can be helpful in our day to day jobs as procurement professionals. If you have a topic you’d like to propose for the future agenda, please email DESCPAdmins@des.wa.gov. Below is a list of topics identified so far that will be addressed in the coming meetings.

• DES Delegation of Procurement Authority
• Public Works Contracts
• Open Discussion on Common Headaches
• Business Diversity Inclusion Practices
• How other agencies deal with Contractors' retirement
• OMWBE/DES Access Equity System use and how we will all report in the future
• Electronic Signature/Document Archive-Files Guidelines
• OCIO – IT security requirements

Meeting Resources