Resource
Free Report ACEC Research Institute Report: An Analysis of QBS in the Procurement of Engineering Services
Research Shows QBS Remains the Primary Procurement Tool for Competitive Bidding, Particularly Among State Governments
The new updated Analysis of QBS in the Procurement of Engineering Services finds that QBS provides direct benefits in both the design and construction phases of a wide variety of public and private sector projects. From direct cost and schedule benefits to indirect benefits of reduced management issues and increased innovation, QBS demonstrates a clear benefit when applied across a host of project types, sizes, and geographic regions.
What is QBS?
Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) is a procurement process through which firms compete for work based on experience and technical expertise, rather than competing for the lowest cost bid. Under QBS, after firms are evaluated and shortlisted based on their qualifications, the top-ranked firm is selected for price negotiations, and, ideally, a fair and reasonable price is reached based on a detailed scope of the project. If an agreement on price cannot be reached with the most qualified firm, negotiations commence with the second most qualified firm. In most cases, the top-ranked firm is selected at a price that fits the client’s budget.