How does qualifications-based selection work?
A The contracting agency announces that it needs architectural or engineering services for a particular project and invites interested firms to submit information about their qualifications and their experience. The agency then reviews and evaluates the submissions and selects a “short list” of three to five firms. Personal interviews are usually conducted with these firms to discuss each firm’s qualifications, philosophies and overall approach to the project. Once these interviews are completed, the agency ranks the firms. The top-ranked firm is then invited to negotiate a formal agreement. This includes a discussion of your concepts and goals, the alternatives that might be considered, a specific scope of work, the general approach of the firm to the scope of work, and the firm’s compensation for the project.
