Architectural and Engineering Services

Section 602(b)(14) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act requires competitive procurement of architectural and engineering (A/E) services through a qualifications-based selection (QBS) process. This requirement applies to contracts for program management, construction management, feasibility studies, preliminary engineering, design, engineering, surveying, mapping, or other engineering-related services.

Effective January 1, 2021, all GEFA borrowers – including borrowers of the Georgia Fund – must comply with the following A/E selection requirement:

• If the anticipated project cost is less than $1,000,000 and A/E services are less than $100,000, a QBS procedure is not required.
• If the anticipated project cost is $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 and A/E services are more than $100,000, a ONE-STEP procurement is required for selecting an A/E firm. In a one-step procurement, the borrower selects a consultant based on the scoring methodology that has been published in a Request for Qualifications for A/E Services.
• If the anticipated project cost is more than $3,000,000 and A/E services are more than $100,000, a TWO-STEP procurement is required for selecting an A/E firm. In a two-step procurement, the borrower uses the scoring methodology published in its RFQ to narrow down the candidates to three to five “finalist” firms. Then, the borrower interviews the “finalist” firms to select the most qualified candidate.

To help borrowers meet the requirement, GEFA developed templates with instructions (linked below) that outline the steps of a QBS procedure and how it can be performed. The documents are intended as guidance and do not dictate the exact steps a community must follow.

For additional information, please email GEFA at [email protected].