Qualification

Based Selection
The selection is
considerably enhanced
when the client is fully
familiar with the proposed
and nature of the proposed
project, can describe the
project in detail, and can
prepare a project scope and
outline of services expected
Clients usual steps in
the selection procedure
1.By invitation or by public notice, state the
general nature of the project, the services
required, and the request statements of
qualifications and experience for Civil
Engineers who appear to be capable of
meeting the project requirements. The
client may issue a Request for
qualifications (RFQ) or Request for
proposals (RFP). RFQs are normally used
to ascertain the general qualification in a
selected area of expertise while RFPs are
used to seek Civil Engineers for creating
short lists for selecting a Civil Engineer
for a specific project.
2. Prepare a budget for the staff time and costs that can
be expected from potential Civil Engineer prior to
receipt of the RFQs or RFPs.

3. Evaluate the statements of qualifications received.

Select at least three Civil Engineers or firms that may
appear to be best qualified for the specific project. It
should be noted that often more than three Civil
Engineers or firms may appear to be equally qualified
in which case more Civil Engineers or firs may be
considered. However, in fairness to those not selected
it is usually best to make a conscientious effort to
keep the number selected for further consideration for
realistic minimum in view of the cost and time
required to prepare competent proposals.
4. Write a letter to each Civil Engineer or selected for
further consideration of describing the proposed
project in details, including a project scope and
outline of services required, and asking for a
proposal describing in detail the Civil Engineers
plan for managing and performing the required
services, the personnel to be assigned, the
proposed schedule, experience with similar
projects, office location in which services are to be
performed, financial standing, present workload,
and references. Each Civil Engineer or firms should
have an opportunity to visit the site, review all
pertinent data and obtain clarification of any items
as required. For major complex projects a pre-
proposal conference may desirable to explain
details of the proposed scope of services and to
answer questions.
5. On receipt of proposals, invite the Civil
Engineers or firms to meet individually with the
selection committee for interviews and
discussions of the desired and results of the
project and the engineering services required.
These interviews may be held at the Civil
Engineers office. The client may consider
supplementing the selection committee with
personnel who have specialized expertise to
advise the committee, when appropriate. During
each interview the selection committee should
review the qualifications and experience of each
Civil Engineer or firm, the capability to provide
the services within the time allotted, and the key
personnel to be assigned to the project.
6. Check with recent clients of each Civil Engineer or firm
to determine the quality of their performance. This check
need not be limited to references listed by the Civil
Engineer.

7. List the Civil Engineer or firms in the order of

preference, taking into account their approach and
understanding of the project, reputation, experience,
financial standing, size, personnel available, quality of
references, workload, location, and other factors
pertinent to the project being considered.

8. Invite the Civil Engineer considered to be best qualified

to develop a detailed scope. List of deliverables and
schedule, and to negotiate fair compensation for the
services.
9. The compensation proposed by the Civil
Engineer should be evaluated on the
basis of the clients experience and
budget estimate, taking account of the
range of charges reported in Section 4
herein; giving consideration to the
projects special characteristics and the
scope of services agreed upon. Fair and
reasonable compensation to the Civil
Engineer is vital to the success of the
project since it will enable the
consultants expertise to be fully utilized.

10. If satisfactory agreement is not reached with the first Civil
Engineer, the negotiations should be terminated and the Civil
Engineer or firm be notified in writing to that effect. Similar
negotiations should then be held with the second Civil
Engineers or firm and, if necessary, worth the third Civil
Engineers or firm. If no accord is reached, the client should
seek outside assistance before continuing with the selection
process. Such a procedure will usually result in development
of a satisfactory contract. All such negotiations should be on
a strictly confidential basis, and in no case should the
compensation discussed with one Civil Engineer be disclosed
to another.

11. When agreement has been reach on scope, schedule and

compensation, the client and selected Civil Engineer should
formalize their agreement in a written contract.