Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) of Consulting/Engineering Firms The traditional method of selecting consulting/engineer services has been through the issuance of a request for proposals (RFP) and then evaluation and selection of the "lowest and best bid". This process is most suitable when purchasing goods, but is not the best when obtaining professional services. One difficulty with this process is that the "bids" offered by the interested firms are dependent upon how clear the project objectives were defined in the RFP and how well the firms understood the demands of the project. Evaluation of bid documents was often difficult because of the variety of responses received; it often became a "comparison of apples and oranges" that was especially difficult when several solutions were offered at a broad range of prices. Another side effect of bidding is that it allows bidders to offer the cheapest solution or design. Finally, bidding allows only for prices outlined in the client's RFP, not services that may actually be needed. The Ohio Revised Code now requires that when choosing consulting/engineering firms, where the expected fee is over $25,000, selection is to be made on the basis of qualifications and experience. This allows for the consideration of other factors, such as the firm's evaluation of alternative solutions, technical qualifications of key professionals, experience with similar projects, reputation with existing clients, project management abilities, financial references, and understanding of factors unique to the project. It is recommended that a rating sheet be used that compares firms in a standardized approach. Elements to be considered for short-listed firms include: grasp of project requirements, design/approach methodology, past performance, project management, project design team, key project personnel, capacity to perform work, interview score, firm responsiveness, compensation. Resources Ohio Revised Code, Sections 153.65 to 153.71: provides legal requirements regarding definitions, statement of qualifications, announcement of available contracts for professional design services, prequalification requirements, evaluation and selection of firms, negotiation of contract, professional liability insurance, and rules and exceptions to provisions.  For a copy of the Code, go to the searchable versions of the Ohio Revised Code available by A.V.V., Inc. or by Anderson Publishing. Slide Show Presented to Ohio Mayors Association: Center staff were part of a session on municipal contracting.  Follow the link for an outline of the section on qualifications-based selection (QBS) of design professionals. Consulting Engineers Council of Ohio: part this association's website (www.cecohio.org) offers advice on "Selecting an Engineer" and offers the following documents: How to Comply with Ohio's Design Professional Selection Law and How to Select a Consulting Engineer for Your Project. County Advisory Bulletin 96-3: Qualifications-Based Selection and Financial Responsibility for Professional Design Firms and for Construction Managers is a publication of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. Ohio Public Works Commission: Advisory XVIII - Procurement of Engineering/Project Management Services details the Commission's expectations regarding contracts for professional services.

Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) of Consulting/Engineering Firms The traditional method of selecting consulting/engineer services has been through the issuance of a request for proposals (RFP) and then evaluation and selection of the "lowest and best bid". This process is most suitable when purchasing goods, but is not the best when obtaining professional services. One difficulty with this process is that the "bids" offered by the interested firms are dependent upon how clear the project objectives were defined in the RFP and how well the firms understood the demands of the project. Evaluation of bid documents was often difficult because of the variety of responses received; it often became a "comparison of apples and oranges" that was especially difficult when several solutions were offered at a broad range of prices. Another side effect of bidding is that it allows bidders to offer the cheapest solution or design. Finally, bidding allows only for prices outlined in the client's RFP, not services that may actually be needed. The Ohio Revised Code now requires that when choosing consulting/engineering firms, where the expected fee is over $25,000, selection is to be made on the basis of qualifications and experience. This allows for the consideration of other factors, such as the firm's evaluation of alternative solutions, technical qualifications of key professionals, experience with similar projects, reputation with existing clients, project management abilities, financial references, and understanding of factors unique to the project. It is recommended that a rating sheet be used that compares firms in a standardized approach. Elements to be considered for short-listed firms include: grasp of project requirements, design/approach methodology, past performance, project management, project design team, key project personnel, capacity to perform work, interview score, firm responsiveness, compensation. Resources Ohio Revised Code, Sections 153.65 to 153.71: provides legal requirements regarding definitions, statement of qualifications, announcement of available contracts for professional design services, prequalification requirements, evaluation and selection of firms, negotiation of contract, professional liability insurance, and rules and exceptions to provisions.  For a copy of the Code, go to the searchable versions of the Ohio Revised Code available by A.V.V., Inc. or by Anderson Publishing. Slide Show Presented to Ohio Mayors Association: Center staff were part of a session on municipal contracting.  Follow the link for an outline of the section on qualifications-based selection (QBS) of design professionals. Consulting Engineers Council of Ohio: part this association's website (www.cecohio.org) offers advice on "Selecting an Engineer" and offers the following documents: How to Comply with Ohio's Design Professional Selection Law and How to Select a Consulting Engineer for Your Project. County Advisory Bulletin 96-3: Qualifications-Based Selection and Financial Responsibility for Professional Design Firms and for Construction Managers is a publication of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. Ohio Public Works Commission: Advisory XVIII - Procurement of Engineering/Project Management Services details the Commission's expectations regarding contracts for professional services.

Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) of Consulting/Engineering Firms The traditional method of selecting consulting/engineer services has been through the issuance of a request for proposals (RFP) and then evaluation and selection of the "lowest and best bid". This process is most suitable when purchasing goods, but is not the best when obtaining professional services. One difficulty with this process is that the "bids" offered by the interested firms are dependent upon how clear the project objectives were defined in the RFP and how well the firms understood the demands of the project. Evaluation of bid documents was often difficult because of the variety of responses received; it often became a "comparison of apples and oranges" that was especially difficult when several solutions were offered at a broad range of prices. Another side effect of bidding is that it allows bidders to offer the cheapest solution or design. Finally, bidding allows only for prices outlined in the client's RFP, not services that may actually be needed. The Ohio Revised Code now requires that when choosing consulting/engineering firms, where the expected fee is over $25,000, selection is to be made on the basis of qualifications and experience. This allows for the consideration of other factors, such as the firm's evaluation of alternative solutions, technical qualifications of key professionals, experience with similar projects, reputation with existing clients, project management abilities, financial references, and understanding of factors unique to the project. It is recommended that a rating sheet be used that compares firms in a standardized approach. Elements to be considered for short-listed firms include: grasp of project requirements, design/approach methodology, past performance, project management, project design team, key project personnel, capacity to perform work, interview score, firm responsiveness, compensation. Resources Ohio Revised Code, Sections 153.65 to 153.71: provides legal requirements regarding definitions, statement of qualifications, announcement of available contracts for professional design services, prequalification requirements, evaluation and selection of firms, negotiation of contract, professional liability insurance, and rules and exceptions to provisions.  For a copy of the Code, go to the searchable versions of the Ohio Revised Code available by A.V.V., Inc. or by Anderson Publishing. Slide Show Presented to Ohio Mayors Association: Center staff were part of a session on municipal contracting.  Follow the link for an outline of the section on qualifications-based selection (QBS) of design professionals. Consulting Engineers Council of Ohio: part this association's website (www.cecohio.org) offers advice on "Selecting an Engineer" and offers the following documents: How to Comply with Ohio's Design Professional Selection Law and How to Select a Consulting Engineer for Your Project. County Advisory Bulletin 96-3: Qualifications-Based Selection and Financial Responsibility for Professional Design Firms and for Construction Managers is a publication of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. Ohio Public Works Commission: Advisory XVIII - Procurement of Engineering/Project Management Services details the Commission's expectations regarding contracts for professional services.