In construction, "QB" most commonly refers to Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS), a procurement method focusing on professional qualifications rather than price for architectural and engineering services.
What is Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) in Construction?
Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) is a professional services procurement process established by the United States Congress through the Brooks Act. This method is primarily used by public agencies for selecting architectural and engineering (A/E) services for public construction projects. Unlike traditional low-bid approaches, QBS prioritizes the expertise, experience, and proven capabilities of firms, ensuring that the most qualified professionals are chosen for complex design and engineering tasks.
The core principle of QBS is that the quality of architectural and engineering services directly impacts the success, safety, and long-term value of a construction project. By selecting professionals based on their qualifications first, public entities aim to achieve superior project outcomes, reduce costly errors, and ensure public welfare.
The Origin and Purpose of QBS
The Brooks Act of 1972 mandated QBS for federal agencies to procure architectural and engineering services. Its creation stemmed from the understanding that selecting A/E services based solely on the lowest bid can lead to significant problems, including:
- Substandard designs
- Increased change orders during construction
- Cost overruns
- Project delays
- Compromised safety and durability
QBS was designed to mitigate these risks by ensuring that public funds are invested in the most competent professional services available. This process emphasizes evaluating firms' technical approach, past project performance, specialized expertise, and capacity to handle the specific project requirements before discussing cost.
How QBS Works: A Step-by-Step Overview
The QBS process is structured to identify and engage the most qualified firms efficiently. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- Define Project Scope: The public agency clearly defines the project's objectives, scope of work, and specific requirements for architectural or engineering services.
- Public Announcement: A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is issued, inviting interested A/E firms to submit their qualifications. This typically includes their experience, personnel resumes, project portfolio, and technical approach to similar projects.
- Evaluation of Qualifications: A selection committee rigorously evaluates the submitted qualifications based on predefined criteria, such as:
- Firm's experience with similar projects
- Technical competence and specialized expertise
- Capacity and availability of key personnel
- Past performance and client references
- Understanding of the project scope and challenges
- Ranking of Firms: The committee shortlists and then ranks the most qualified firms based purely on their technical merit and capabilities, without considering price at this stage.
- Negotiation of Scope and Price: The agency enters into negotiations with the highest-ranked firm. This involves:
- Clarifying the detailed scope of services required.
- Developing a mutually acceptable project schedule.
- Negotiating a fair and reasonable fee that reflects the defined scope and the firm's qualifications.
- Contract Award: If a satisfactory agreement on scope and price is reached, a contract is awarded to the top-ranked firm.
- Subsequent Negotiations (If Needed): If negotiations with the first-ranked firm are unsuccessful, the agency formally terminates discussions and moves to negotiate with the second-ranked firm, and so on, until a contract is secured.
Key Benefits of Utilizing QBS
Employing QBS for public construction projects offers numerous advantages:
- Higher Quality Designs: Ensures that projects are designed by highly competent professionals, leading to innovative, efficient, and constructible solutions.
- Reduced Project Risk: Experienced and qualified firms are better equipped to identify and mitigate potential design and construction issues early, reducing costly change orders and delays.
- Long-Term Value: Superior designs often result in lower lifecycle costs, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced durability of the completed facility.
- Enhanced Public Safety: Critical infrastructure projects, such as bridges, hospitals, and water treatment plants, benefit from the highest level of engineering expertise, directly contributing to public safety and well-being.
- Improved Project Outcomes: Studies often show that QBS projects tend to be delivered closer to budget and on schedule compared to price-based selections for A/E services.
QBS vs. Price-Based Selection
| Feature | Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) | Price-Based Selection (Low-Bid for A/E) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Expertise, experience, quality, and technical competence | Lowest upfront cost (price) |
| Evaluation Order | Qualifications first, then price negotiation | Price first (often a weighted factor alongside some qualifications) |
| Risk Mitigation | Proactive design solutions, reduced errors, fewer change orders | Higher risk of design flaws, increased change orders, potential cost overruns |
| Project Outcome | Generally higher quality, better value, improved long-term performance | Can lead to compromised quality, scope reductions, or project difficulties |
| Best Suited For | Complex professional services (A/E) where quality is paramount | Commodity purchases or simple, clearly defined tasks |
By prioritizing qualifications over immediate cost, QBS ensures that the foundational design and engineering work for public projects is robust, reliable, and provides the best value for taxpayers in the long run.
