How
to Select a Consulting Engineer
- Prepare as complete a description as possible of
the proposed project, including the purpose to be served,
proposed budget, desired date for start of operation, and other
pertinent
factors which will affect the engineering services agreement.
- Request the consulting engineers to furnish their qualifications.
- Select one or more consulting engineers whom the client believes
to be qualified for the specific services required.
- After one or more firms have been interviewed separately,
a firm should be selected that has the proper qualifications and
ability
and, in the opinion of the client, is the most qualified to perform
the services in question.
- The selected firm should be called in for negotiation of fees
and related expenses as well as an agreement on essential details
in connection with the project.
- State, governmental agencies, or political subdivisions are
required to follow procedures under the Consultants’ Competitive
Negotiation Act (CCNA), which was adopted by the State Legislature
in 1973.
The CCNA legislation sets forth specific requirements and procedures
for contracting professional services to be used by the state, its
agencies, municipalities
or political subdivisions, school boards, and school districts.
This selection procedure is based on qualification and competence.
It covers the selection of Professional Engineers, Architects, Registered
Land Surveyors, and Landscape Architects and the negotiation of fees
for their professional services in contracts where compensation exceeds
$50,000 in cases of studies and where the cost of construction exceeds
$1,000,000 in the case of construction.
This procedure provides a simple and effective four-step process,
including:
a. Public Announcement of the Project. Public notice of requirements
for professional services is made, including a description of the
project and how interested consultants can apply for consideration.
b. Qualification and Certification of Firms. Qualifications of those
firms indicating an interest in the project are received. Those firms
found to be qualified to render the required services are so certified
by the agency.
c. Selection of Certified Qualified Firms. The qualifications of
the certified firms are rated and compared. No less than three firms
are then selected and ranked in order of preference, based on their
qualifications.
d. Negotiation of Professional Service Contracts. The agency negotiates
a contract with the firm ranked as the most qualified, at a compensation
which is fair, competitive, and reasonable. Detailed discussions
are held by the firm and the agency to clearly establish the scope
of the project and the exact work to be done. Such negotiations are
usually successful; however, should the two parties fail to agree
upon the level of compensation, negotiations with the first firm
are terminated and negotiations are commenced with the second-ranked
firm. If again unsuccessful, the process is repeated with the next
highest-ranked firm.
This procedure is widely used by industry and agencies in many other
states that are knowledgeable and experienced in the selection of
consulting engineers and other design professionals. It is also in
accord with Public Law 92-582 (Brooks Bill), which sets forth federal
policy concerning the selection of design professionals for federal
agencies.
The Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act has proven to
be a fair, effective, and economical means of contracting for professional
design services.
Florida Experience Can Be Important to You
It is vital that an owner
obtain the services of an engineer familiar with the physical environment
of Florida, which differs in many respects from that in most other
states. Florida is a hurricane-exposed,
subtropical, low-lying peninsula.
Engineers who lack demonstrated familiarity with Florida conditions
may not have the experience to cope with the unique environment safely
and economically. Engineers with a record of successful work in the
state may reasonably be assumed to have the requisite experience.
An owner is well advised to inquire carefully
and resolve any doubts in these matters.
