PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      6c 
ACTION ITEM 
Date of Meeting      May 12, 2015 
DATE:    April 27, 2015 
TO:     Port of Seattle Commission 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    Tom Barnard, Research and Policy Analyst 
Lindsay Wolpa, Issues and Policy Manager 
SUBJECT:  Projects and Procurement Policy Committee 

ACTION REQUESTED 
Request adoption of a motion establishing the Projects and Procurement Policy Committee that
will create policy directives codified into the new General Delegation of Authority ("General
Delegation") from the Port Commission to the Chief Executive Officer. 

SYNOPSIS 
Part of the process to replace the Port's current Master Delegation of Authority (Resolution No.
3605, as amended by Resolution No. 3628) with the new General Delegation is the creation of
Policy Directives that set out how Port staff is to carry out its work. This document and the
accompanying motion details the creation and work of the Project and Procurement Committee
to create Policy Directives on projects, contracts and procurements. 

BACKGROUND 
The General Delegation 
The Port of Seattle is a public agency critical to sustaining a healthy economy for the region.
Adopted as part of the Century Agenda on December 4, 2012, the Port's mission is to create jobs
by advancing trade and commerce, promoting industrial growth, and stimulating economic
development. The Century Agenda's strategies, objectives, and regional initiatives represent a
proactive and strategic approach to  the coordination of the administrative programs and
operations of the Port of Seattle.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
April 27, 2015 
Page 2 of 5 
Policy Directives 
The new General Delegation provides transparency and accountability through the development
and adoption of Policy Directives to guide the Port's efforts in pursuit of its strategic objectives.
Policy Directives will provide high-level guidance about how the Port does its work based on
public values and applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Further, they will inform operational
policies regarding specific functions at the Port. They also will deliver standards that support the
effective use of the internal audit function to verify compliance. 
Policy Directives provide principles and guidelines that steer crucial strategic choices.
Policy Directives reconcile the inherent trade-offs between enterprise effectiveness and
commitments to social and environmental responsibility as a public agency. 
Policy Directives set out the limits of delegated authority and provide auditable standards
that reinforce compliance and accountability. 
Policy Directivesempower Port staff to develop long-range plans and execute strategies 
by providing a stable and clear policy environment. 
Temporary Policy Committees will be created to oversee the development ofPolicy Directives 
called for in the new General Delegation. These groups will be a collaborative effort between
Commissioners and Port staff, led by Commissioners appointed by the Commission Co-
Presidents. Internal and external subject matter experts will be engaged as needed. Participation
in these working groups will vary by topic. 
The first Policy Committee will be the Projects and Procurement Policy Committee: 
Objective: 
The objective of the Policy Committee on projects and procurement is to develop policies
for consideration and possible adoption by the Port Commission that guide staff in
project management, construction contracting, and all procurements by the Port. These
include operating purchases, ongoing service agreements, and all elements of capital
projects. 
The committee will develop policy recommendations that balances efficiency, cost
effectiveness, oversight, and other Port values, such as small and Women and
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (W/DBE) participation. The recommendations will
specifically identify appropriate spending authority and other auditable standards within
the policies. 
The Policy Directive from this committee will replace Mater Delegation Sections 4, 5, 6,
7, and 8 when adopted. (Public Works Projects; Non-Public Works Projects; Contract and

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
April 27, 2015 
Page 3 of 5 
Procurement Administration;  Personal and Professional, Purchased Goods/Services 
Agreements; CEO Utilization of Port Crews). 

Suggested Scope: 
The Policy Directive will develop procedural guidance, authorization levels, and auditable
standards for the following issues: 
Efficiency in project delivery through adjusting authorization limits and procedures. 
Policy development will include: 
o  Determining correct level for project authorization by Commission; 
o  Determining the process for Commission authorization on day-to-day operations
contracts. 
o  Outlining a more efficient means of notifying the Commission about projects; and 
o  Developing effective procedures for authorizations for alternate contracting
methods. 
Process improvement for procurements necessary for day-to-day operations. Policy
development will include: 
o  Determining Commissioner authorization and notification levels; 
o  Streamlining purchase procedures for internal staff; and 
o  Strengthening methods for competitive bidding. 
Opportunities for small businesses to contract with the Port. Policy development will
include: 
o  Identifying constraints that keep small business from being able to compete for
Port project contracts; 
o  Recognizing those constraints specific minority and women-owned businesses 
face; and 
o  Providing changes in procedures or assistance to small businesses to navigate
procedures. 
Procedures for Port construction contracts. Policy development will include: 
o  Determining whether procurements and contracting practices meet Port staff
department needs for efficiency. Streamline procedures for staff to undertake
procurement; and

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
April 27, 2015 
Page 4 of 5 
o  Eliminating or adjusting any procurement procedures and contracting practices
that hinder business with the Port. 
Stakeholder Involvement
The committee intends to include stakeholder participation of 1-2 subject matter experts from the
construction, contracting and small business spheres that would have direct input on early draft
language. Later stakeholder involvement will ideally include 4-5 participants through a public
roundtable to offer advice on the proposed draft policy. 

Public Process 
Public involvement with this effort will include: 
A public meeting roundtable discussion between four to five  stakeholders, along with 
Commissioners, the CEO, to review and recommend final draft; 
30-day comment period through mailbox between First and Second Readings; and 
Testimony  by stakeholders at meeting to approve the Policy Directive  through
Resolution. 

Repeal and Replacement of current Delegation 
The Policy Directives produced will replace the following sections of the current Delegation: 
Section 4: Public Works Projects 
Section 5: Non Public Works Projects 
Section 6: Contract and Procurement Administration 
Section 7.1, 7.2, 7.3: Professional, Personal, and Purchased Goods/Service Agreements 
Section 8.2, 8.3: Utilization of Port crews 

Policy Directives will be codified into the General Delegation to insure that there is one
hyperlinked reference point to view all current policy directives, rather than listing them as
separate policy documents. 

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
Project and Procurement Committee Motion

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
April 27, 2015 
Page 5 of 5 

PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
February 24, 2015, briefing, introducing the new General Delegation of Authority 
March 14, 2015, First Reading of the General Delegation of Authority