ST. LOUIS BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN

Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Services

The superintendent of schools is authorized to hire qualified architects, engineers, and land surveyors to supply professional and technical services in the design, construction, and supervision of construction of new buildings, as well as to provide technical assistance on alterations and maintenance of existing buildings. “Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Services” means those services as defined in Section 8.287 of the Missouri Statutes.

I. Initial Solicitation for Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Services

The superintendent of schools will advertise for interested and qualified architects, engineers, and land surveyors. The advertisements shall appear in a newspaper of general circulation at least once per week for two consecutive weeks.

The advertisement shall identify the nature of the services needed and shall solicit written submissions or applications for consideration. Submissions or applications shall be of a prescribed form.

The advertisement shall prescribe a final date and time for written submissions or applications and such final date and time shall be no less than twenty days from the last date of advertisement.

In the event that the initial solicitation does not provide sufficient qualified applicants for the needed services, the public advertisement may be repeated periodically as needed. In any event, architectural, engineering, and land surveying consulting needs shall be re-advertised as described above and re-evaluated at intervals no greater than two years.

Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Services (continued) P7401

II. Selection of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors

The superintendent of schools shall establish a committee to evaluate the applications submitted. The committee shall include at least one representative from the division of buildings, grounds, and property management.

Each submission or applicant shall be evaluated under criteria including, but not limited to the following:

1. The specialized experience and technical competence of the firm with respect to the type of services required;

2. The capacity and capability of the firm to perform the work, including specialized services, within the time limitations fixed for the completion of the project;

3. The past record of performance of the firm with respect to such factors as control of costs, quality of work, and ability to meet schedules; and

4. The firm is proximity to and familiarity with the area in which the project is located.

III. Fees

Upon conclusion of the review and evaluation of all qualified professional applicants, the review committee shall determine and recommend a fair and reasonable fee or fee range applicable to the professional services.

IV. Contract

The review committee shall prepare an analysis to compare and rank firms qualified to perform the services. The review committee shall submit to the superintendent of schools the rank ordered list for his or her selection of the firm(s) for contractual negotiations. The superintendent will designate the appropriate division responsible for negotiating the service agreement with the most qualified firm at a fair and reasonable fee.

Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying Services (continued) P7401

If the division is unable to negotiate a satisfactory agreement with the first ranked firm, the next ranked firm will be contacted. This procedure will be followed with each succeeding ranked firm until a satisfactory agreement has been reached. Once a satisfactory agreement has been reached the contract will be submitted to the superintendent of schools for his or her consideration. Any final agreement shall be approved by the board.

V. Exceptions for Temporary Services

In the event the superintendent finds and determines that there is insufficient staff to complete the required architectural, engineering and land surveying services typically performed by board staff, and the board has previously approved such services through budget appropriation, the superintendent may procure architectural, engineering and land surveying services without complying with the above procedures and shall notify the board. In such an instance, the superintendent shall discuss the services at issue with three qualified individuals or firms and select the individual or firm considered best qualified and capable of performing the desired work and negotiate a contract with the individual or firm selected. Any such contract shall be for a temporary term and shall be in an amount not to exceed the budget appropriation, unless approved by the board.

References

Legal: Sections 8.285 – 8.291 RSMo.

Policy adopted: July 24, 2001