Winter 2023

NSPE Today
Illinois DOT and Town of Smithfield (RI) Honored for QBS Commitment

The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Township of Smithfield, Rhode Island, were honored with QBS Awards for championing the use of qualifications-based selection procurement.

NSPE and ACEC cosponsor the awards program to recognize organizations that promote and make exemplary use of QBS methods to procure the professional services of consulting engineers at the federal, state, or local level. These public and private entities serve as examples of how well the QBS process works, and also promote the practice in jurisdictions that do not use, or underuse, QBS to procure engineering services. Nominations may originate from an NSPE state society, an ACEC member organization, a public or private entity, or an individual in the public or private sector. Self-nomination is not permitted.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) received its award in the state government sector category. The IDOT uses the QBS procurement process to prioritize experience and technical expertise rather than just the lowest cost bid. Through this process, firms are first assessed on their qualifications by a panel that includes IDOT staff and four qualified members from the public. The top-ranked firm is then contacted for price negotiations, with the goal of reaching a fair and reasonable price. If an agreement is not reached, negotiations shift to the secondranked firm.

IDOT has also collaborated with the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers and ACEC – Illinois to strengthen the QBS process in the state.

"We are proud to win this award for doing our utmost to obtain the best quality services at the best prices," Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman stated in a news release. "At IDOT, we are committed to excellence. The QBS process helps us ensure a high level of quality in our work on behalf of Illinois residents, while respecting the taxpayer dollar. The selection committee, which includes members outside of IDOT, works hard to do their jobs transparently and with integrity."

A special recognition award was granted to the Town of Smithfield, Rhode Island. The Town of Smithfield has been utilizing qualifications-based selection consistently since 2007 for professional engineering services. Smithfield residents have benefited by receiving design services from the most qualified consultants in building, preserving, and rehabilitating the town’s infrastructure.

NSPE supports the procurement of design professional services on the basis of qualifications and strongly supports the Brooks A/E Act of 1972, which requires federal agencies to use qualifications-based selection procedures when obtaining design professional services. The Society also supports the adoption of "mini-Brooks" laws at the state and local level.