ARCHITECT SELECTION

There are two processes for the selection of an architect

The process begins with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works identifying that a project requires the services of an architect. Public Works prepares a scope of work for the project and provides it to the AEB. The AEB prepares a list of firms by matching firms with the appropriate size, production capability, experience and capacity with the scope of work. Public Works uses this list to begin the process of selecting the best qualified firm for the project.

The solicitation process begins with Public Works preparing a Request for Proposals (RFP). Only those firms on the list provided by the AEB are invited to respond to the RFP. Firms may be given from two to four or more weeks to respond to the RFP depending on the complexity and schedule of the project.

The evaluation of proposals is done by a committee that is usually made up of the project manager, representatives from the County department responsible for the project (i.e., Parks and Recreation, Probation, Library, etc.), and the Chief Administrative Office. The committee uses a pre-established proposal evaluation criteria to evaluate proposals to identify the best qualified firm. Cost is not a consideration in the evaluation process.

Oral interviews may follow the proposal evaluation depending on the complexity and political nature of the project and/or if the results of the evaluation do not clearly indicate which firm is best qualified.

Once the best qualified firm is selected, Public Works negotiates the final scope and fee for the project with the firm. The process is completed with contract preparation, award and execution.

Whenever there is an unusually great demand for architectural services for projects with a construction value less than $2 million, Public Works may request the AEB to authorize the accelerated process. Under this process, the AEB provides Public Works lists of pre-qualified and ranked architectural firms under group headings by project types.

For a project requiring architectural services, Public Works selects the highest ranked firm from the appropriate group lists provided by the AEB. The firm is requested to provided a proposal for the scope of work for the project. Negotiations on the final scope and fee begin immediately following Public Works' review of the proposal. If negotiations are successful, a contract is prepared and awarded to the firm. If negotiations are not successful, the process begins again with the next highest ranked firm on the list.

This process is repeated for subsequent projects with the next firm on the list.