American Council of Engineering Companies
of Kansas

 

Selection of a Consulting Engineer

There are many ways that a client can select a consulting engineer.

• If you have an existing relationship with a design professional who meets your needs, you can continue that relationship and jointly develop a project scope, contract form, and fee.

• If you do not have an existing relationship with a design professional, and you have a project requiring the attention of a competent consulting engineer, the recommended process is Qualifications Based Selection.

• If you have to, or want to, go through a competitive selection process, the recommended process is Qualifications Based Selection.

What is Qualifications Based Selection? 

It is a negotiated procurement process for selecting design professionals based on qualifications and competence in relation to the work to be performed. The three-step process is outlined on the following page:

Using the Qualifications Based Selection process promotes improved project quality by assuring that the client clearly understands the scope of work required; leads to realistic construction bids based on a definitive scope of work; and allows design professionals to use their innovation and creativity. High quality consultant services are only a small percentage of the project cost yet affect and influence the entire project cost and outcome. Studies have shown that use of Qualifications Based Selection is more efficient and less costly than use of a selection process that uses price as a primary criterion.

Qualifications Based Selection has been in use since the Civil War; Public Law 92-582 (Brooks Bill) confirms it is in the nation’s best interest in federal procurement on civilian agency projects; Public Law 100-464 reaffirms 92-582 and adds specific services covered by the law; Kansas Law 75-5801 confirms it is in the state’s best interest in state procurement; and the American Bar Association’s Model Procurement Code for State and Local Government specifies it as the preferred method of procuring design professional services.

Here are some guidelines to use when evaluating and comparing consultant capabilities during the selection process:

• Ability to meet the project schedule

• Experience on similar projects

• Knowledge of the specific processes and equipment involved

• Professional objectivity

• Reputation with other clients

• Reputation within the engineering profession

• Size and diversity of the organization

• Technical qualifications

 

The size of a firm should not be the single determinant for selection; nor length of time in practice. A small, relatively young organization of outstanding engineers can offer a wide base of technical knowledge and experience. A large firm may offer exceptional versatility in many engineering fields and have a background of many successful projects. Through the use of Qualifications Based Selection, you can decide which firm meets your needs.

 

American Council of Engineering Companies of Kansas
825 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 500, Topeka, Kansas, U.S.A. 66612
Phone: 785/357-1824, Fax: 785/233-2206, e-mail: scott@acecks.org

Web page questions should be directed to the ACEC of Kansas Webmaster.