DSHS contracts with many individuals and companies to provide services to DSHS clients, and to purchase or contract for services necessary to improve DSHS business practices. DSHS currently has over 14,000 active contracts, most of which provide services directly to our clients.
In general, DSHS policy requires that its contractors maintain liability insurance. That policy requires that a contractor have the following insurance types and amounts, when appropriate:
- Commercial General Liability (CGL) is required for all contractors as provided below:
- Commercial general liability (CGL), business, or general liability policies are acceptable types of liability insurance for any contract.
- Supplemental, workplace, and premises liability are acceptable types of liability insurance, but only when they are specifically attached to a professional liability policy (see below).
- The minimum monetary limits of CGL, business, general liability, supplemental, workplace, or premises liability insurance coverage required of all DSHS contractors is $2 million dollars per occurrence, and $4 million dollars aggregate.
- Professional Liability Coverage is required whenever a contractor is expected to provide a professional service. The minimum monetary limits for professional liability insurance coverage are $1 million dollars per occurrence and $2 million dollars aggregate.
- Business auto policy insurance is required when the contract involves the transportation of DSHS clients. The minimum monetary limit for business auto insurance is: $1 million dollars combined single limit.
- Industrial Insurance (Worker's Compensation) Coverage – required in compliance with all laws, statutes, and regulations (required by law in many cases).
If you are interested in providing services directly to DSHS or our clients, review the Current and Ongoing Procurement site and contact the DSHS staff member listed on the procurement page for a specific program or service.
If you are interested in providing Information Technology goods or services, or selling goods or services such as equipment, inspections, utilities, vehicles, software, or janitorial services, to DSHS and other State Agencies, please contact the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES).
DSHS Electronic Signature Guidelines. RCW 1.80.170 permits state agencies to determine whether, and the extent to which, they will accept electronic signatures. DSHS has chosen to accept electronic signatures attached to bid submission and contract documents as either a digital facsimile (affixed to the document via Adobe Acrobat or other software), or as a digital signature using a verified e-signature platform (DocuSign, Adobe Sign, etc.). Electronically signed documents must be submitted to DSHS by the individual who signed the document or someone authorized to act on the signatory's behalf.