Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) Process

What Is QBS? - Qualifications–Based Selection was established by Congress in 1972 as a part of the Brooks Act (P.L. 92–582).  Locally, Louisiana Revised Statute 38:2318.1 dictates that the State, its political subdivisions, and agencies must select providers of design professional services on the basis of competence and qualifications for a fair and reasonable price.

In general, the QBS process is a competitive contract procurement process whereby consulting firms submit qualifications to a procuring entity (Owner) who evaluates and selects the most qualified firm, and then negotiates the project scope of work, schedule, budget, and consultant fee.

Why Use QBS? - Engineering design and consulting contracts are not commodities. They are expert services based on years of education and experience provided by skilled professionals who apply technical expertise, innovation, and technology to solve challenges. One engineer is not the same as another. An Owner must evaluate quality, experience, and the trust the Owner has in the provider. Otherwise, significant time and money can be wasted, and receive only frustration and failure in return. Qualifications–Based Selection (QBS), on the other hand, maximizes quality, value, cost–effectiveness, and usefulness.

The services provided by design firms are the single most important factor in determining a project's overall construction and life–cycle costs. The fee for the technical skills and experience provided by a high quality firm amount to a very small percentage of the total cost of the project. Yet these services are critical in determining the rest of the project's life–cycle costs, as well as the quality of the completed project.

Who Uses a Selection Board to Implement the QBS? - A couple of local agencies use a Selection Board to implement the QBS process.

City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge - Ordinance

Ascension Parish - Ordinance - Consultant Contract Services Website