§ 50-161. Public announcement; selection process; negotiation.

(a)

Public announcement . It is the policy of the county to publicly announce all requirements for design services only when it is anticipated that the services will cost more than $50,000.00. In the procurement of architect-engineer and land surveying services, the director of procurement shall request firms to submit a statement of qualifications, performance data, and rate/cost information.

(b)

Selection process. A selection committee shall normally consist of at least the affected county department head or his designee, and at least two appointees that the director of procurement chooses to appoint, and shall conduct discussions with no less than three firms, except when fewer respond. They shall select from among them the firms deemed most qualified to provide the required services. The selection shall be made in order of preference, based on criteria established and published by the director of procurement.

(c)

Negotiation. The selection committee or the supervisor and his designee (referred to in this section as "the committee") shall negotiate with the highest qualified firm for architect-engineer or land surveying services at a compensation which is considered to be fair and reasonable to the county. In making this decision, the committee shall take into account the established value, the scope, the complexity, and the professional nature of the services to be rendered. If the committee is unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with the firm considered to be most qualified, negotiations with that firm shall be formally terminated. The committee shall then undertake negotiations with the second most qualified firm. Failing accord with the second most qualified firm, the committee shall then undertake negotiations with the third most qualified firm. If the committee is unable to negotiate a contract with any of the selected firms, the committee may select additional firms in order of their competence and qualifications, and the committee shall continue negotiations in accordance with this section until an agreement is reached.

(Ord. No. 97-4-18, § X(A), 4-28-1997; Ord. No. 16-07-28, 7-25-2016)