Architectural/Engineering and Construction Group

Selection Process Checklist  Ad Hoc Committee Consultant Selection Committee Consultant Evaluation Criteria - Phase I Consultant Evaluation Criteria - Phase II

The Architectural/Engineering and Construction Group is responsible for architectural and engineering contracts necessary to support the day-to-day operations of the Commission. The Group promotes policies and procedures that provide cost-effective water and wastewater contracting services. It also ensures fair and equitable treatment and accountability while promoting contracting opportunities for all business enterprises.

Expressing an Interest

When Architectural/Engineering and Construction services are required, an advertisement will appear in the Centralized Bidder Registration (CBR) system. The advertisement will specify the general description of the services sought, the submittals required (e.g. Standard Form 330), the closing date for the submittals, and the required level of minority business participation, as appropriate.

Ad Hoc Committee

While the advertising is underway, an Ad Hoc Committee of WSSC staff is set up to evaluate the Architectural/Engineering and Construction submittals. The committee members represent the technical disciplines and offices within WSSC that will be involved with the project.

Once this evaluation is completed, the members of the Ad Hoc Committee rank the Architectural/Engineering and Construction’s based on prescribed criteria.

Consultant Selection Committee
 

The Consultant Selection Committee (CSC) is responsible for recommending Architectural/Engineering and Construction  consultants to the Commission or General Manager (based on size of the contract) for procurement of professional services. The voting members of the CSC are the General Manager, the Chief Engineer and the Director of Acquisition. The CSC reviews the Ad Hoc Committee’s evaluations and recommendations before taking a vote to decide which firms are best qualified for short listing and eventual selection.

Consultant Evaluation Criteria 

Phase I

General Instructions

• For criterion where no numerical grade is required, an answer of YES or NO shall be given based on the consultant’s submittal. Should the answer be NO for any of these criteria, the consultant will be eliminated from further consideration
• After the grade is determined for each applicable evaluation criterion, it is multiplied by the assigned weighting factor to determine the score for each criterion. A total weighted-score is derived by a summation of the individual criterion scores.

If You’re Shortlisted

If you are shortlisted, you are invited to submit a detailed technical proposal, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 
 

• A completed MBE Participation Plan (Form MBE-A) showing the minority participation level planned for the contract.
• A signed certification stating that the firm has avoided documented conflicts of interest in violation of applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• A signed certification stating that the firm has sufficient financial resources to undertake the contract and the ability to provide adequate insurance protection as required.
• The pertinent qualifications and experience of key project team members with special attention given to those of your proposed project manager.
• Any other material that explains the firm’s ability to perform the work.
   

Consultant Evaluation Criteria

Phase II

After submission of the technical proposals, individual interviews will be conducted with all short listed firms. For this process, a different evaluation is utilized with criteria much like the Phase I process.  After the grade is determined for each applicable evaluation criterion, it is multiplied by the assigned weighting factor to determine the score for each criterion. A total weighted-score is derived by a summation of the individual criterion scores.

Contract Negotiation

Following the Phase II evaluation process, the CSC will select a consultant for the project, and the WSSC Project Manager will be directed to negotiate a contract for provisions of requisite services. A WSSC standard contract for professional services is used as the basis of contracting.

When an Architectural/Engineering and Construction firm is notified that they have been selected, the firm will be requested as a minimum to submit the following:
 

• A certified employee salary schedule with the applicable labor classifications to be used for the life of the contract.
• The most recent federal or state agency audit report of overhead and indirect cost data to include dollar amounts and percentages by type of expenditure.
• A certificate of insurance in compliance with the insurance requirements of the proposed contract.
• MBE Execution Certification (Form MBE-C)

The WSSC Project Manager shall develop and negotiate a contract with the selected Architectural/Engineering and Construction utilizing appropriate negotiation guidelines and the standard format “Contract for Professional Services.”

Negotiations shall include price, schedule, scope of work and mutual agreements.

WSSC requires the use of its Design Manual, Standard Details, and Standard Conditions & General Specifications in its contract.

Following completed negotiations and contract approval by the WSSC, a Notice to Proceed (NTP) Letter will be issued to the Architectural/Engineering and Construction along with an executed copy of the contract. The NTP establishes the start date of the contract and is the basis for schedule milestones in the contract.