Why is qualifications-based selection the preferred method of selection for public projects?
A As stated in the American Bar Association’s “Model Procurement Code for State and Local Governments”: “The principal reasons supporting this selection procedure for architect-engineer and land surveying services are the lack of a definitive scope of work for such services at the time the selection is made and the importance of selecting the best qualified firm. In general, the architect, engineer, or land surveyor is engaged to represent the State’s interests and is, therefore, in a different relationship with the State from that normally existing in a buyer-seller situation.
