RESOLUTION NO. 990463

Declaring the endorsement of the Qualified Based Selection process for selecting contractual architect, engineering and land surveying services for Kansas City, Missouri projects.

WHEREAS, Missouri Statutes declare it to be the policy of the State of Missouri and its political subdivisions to negotiate contracts for architectural, engineering and land surveying services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of services and at a fair and reasonable price (Section 8.285, RSMo); and

WHEREAS, Missouri Statutes also declare that a firm best qualified and capable to provide these services shall be selected from a group of three highly qualified firms and a contract will be negotiated with the firm selected (Section 8.291, RSMo); and

WHEREAS, Missouri Statutes grant authority to political subdivisions to adopt a formal procedure for procuring architectural, engineering and land surveying services other than based on demonstrated competence and qualifications (Section 8.291.5, RSMo); and

WHEREAS, an inter-departmental task force of City staff has researched the subject of Qualified Based Selection (QBS) for architectural, engineering and land surveying services (design professional services); and

WHEREAS, this task force has developed an Internet advertising procedure for design professional services which has proven very successful in generating greater interest and opportunities for the design professional community, has been applauded by this community, including the MBE/WBE design professional firms, and has created more competition for City projects; and

WHEREAS, this task force has recommended that the Code of Ordinances be amended to codify Internet advertising for design professional services by adopting a new Section 2-470, Design Professional Services Advertising; and

WHEREAS, this task force has identified numerous examples where procurement of design professional services by other than the QBS method have provided less than satisfactory products; and

WHEREAS, these examples include local examples of less than satisfactory products, such as the Hyatt Regency skywalk design; and

WHEREAS, these examples include international examples of less than satisfactory products, such as a commercial store roof in Burnbury, British Columbia; and

WHEREAS, respected organizations such as the American Public Works Association, the National and Missouri Societies of Professional Engineers, the American Institute of Architects, and the Consulting Engineers Council of Missouri have endorsed the QBS process; and

WHEREAS, the City staff task force has submitted proposals to revise Chapter 2, Code of Ordinances, Section 2-468, Architect Selection Committee and Section 2-469, Engineer Selection Committee, for consistency; and AR 3-7, Design Professional Services Agreements, for clarification; and

WHEREAS, this task force has recommended incorporating into the revised AR 3-7, an attachment entitled, Fee Negotiation Steps for Design Professional Services Agreements; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of Kansas City recognizes the value of QBS for the selection of design professional services; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Council of Kansas City endorses the Qualified Based Selection process for selecting contractual architect, engineering and land surveying services for Kansas City, Missouri projects.

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