What criteria (“other factors”) are used by the SDA to select professional consultants?
The selection committee evaluates the technical qualifications of the firms so that they can be ranked in terms of their ability to perform the engagement. The criteria for this evaluation include: 1. Understanding of the project. 2. Team experience. 3. Experience of key team members. 4. Appropriateness of staffing. 5. Project Approach. 6. The Firm’s approach to maintaining schedule. 7. The Firm’s approach to maintaining budget. Following this “qualifications based” selection process, SDA staff then open the fee proposals and negotiate a fee with the highest ranked firm. If an agreement is reached, a contract is awarded; however, if the parties cannot come to an agreement, negotiations begin with the next ranked firm. This process continues, if necessary with successively ranked firms, until an agreement is reached and a contract is executed.
