Vehicle and vessel license subagent business operator

Solicitation #2024-RFP-582. Issued by Procurement and Contract Division. The Pierce County Auditor is seeking applicants for the operation of a vehicle/vessel licensing subagent business within an approximate two-mile radius of the existing EZ Auto License and Title at 22225 Mountain Highway East, Suite F, Spanaway, WA 98387. The Pierce County Auditor has a long tradition of successful licensing subagents located throughout the County providing vehicle/vessel services. These businesses enhance the community through their accessibility and knowledge of and connection to their service area.

What is a Subagency? Operating a vehicle/vessel license subagent business is essentially and most importantly a public service. The appointment itself is not a business per se and there are no owners in the usual sense. The appointment cannot be sold, traded or otherwise transferred to a different person or persons. If the appointee is an established business at the time of application, the owners of the business are the appointees and if the business changes ownership, the appointment is canceled and subject to procedures for appointment of a replacement subagency.

What are the Levels of Authority? The Legislature has created laws to govern the licensing and titling of vehicles and vessels. The Department of Licensing (DOL) has been charged by the Legislature with this responsibility. DOL has been authorized to appoint Agents (County Auditors) and subagents to assist them in the performance of these duties.

The Agent (County Auditor) reports directly to DOL. The number of subagents for a particular county is determined primarily by the number of transactions that occur in that county. Subagents are recommended by the Agent through a competitive proposal process. Department of Licensing shall make the appointment of the subagent.

The Agent is responsible for the training, monitoring, oversight and auditing of the subagents within their jurisdiction.