NCJ Number
145700
Journal
Design Notes Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (1993), 1-3
Date Published
1993
Length
3 pages
Annotation
"Qualifications-based Selection" of an architectural firm to design police facilities is more likely to yield a cost-effective design than the selection of a firm based solely on the low-cost bid.
Abstract
The selection of an architect based on the lowest bid inevitably compromises quality or produces hidden costs. There are also likely to be change orders during construction and possibly delays due to design problems. An alternative selection procedure is "Qualification-based Selection." This method produces the desired building through a competitive selection process. Instead of basing the selection solely on cost bidding, architects are first rated according to their qualifications. Qualifications criteria pertain to the experience of the firm and project personnel, demonstrated results, thoroughness, attention to operating costs, trustworthiness, and accessibility. The appropriate government agency will enter contract negotiations with the firm selected as the most qualified, without regard to cost estimate. If a satisfactory contract price cannot be negotiated with this firm, the government agency will begin negotiations with the next most qualified firm. This process produces the desired building quality at the lowest cost.