Chapter 3.45
ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES

Sections:

3.45.005    Definitions.

3.45.010    Architectural and engineering services.

3.45.020    Procurement of architectural and engineering services.

3.45.030    Emergency and limitation.

3.45.005 Definitions.

“Architectural and engineering services” means professional services rendered by any person, other than as an employee of the City, contracting to perform activities within the scope of the general definition of “professional practice” in Chapter 18.08, 18.43, or 18.96 RCW.

“City manager” means the city manager or designee.

“Consultant” means any person providing professional services who is not an employee of the agency for which the services are provided.

“Person” means any individual, organization, group, association, partnership, firm, joint venture, corporation, or any combination thereof. (Ord. 07-004 § 4, 2007).

3.45.010 Architectural and engineering services.

Annually, or in response to specific projects or work as set forth below, the City shall encourage, through notice published in a newspaper of general circulation, architectural and engineering firms to submit a statement of qualifications and performance data which can be used to select firms that provide services to the City. The qualifications and data shall be maintained in the office of the city clerk and be available for public inspection. (Ord. 07-004 § 4, 2007; Ord. 22 § 1, 2003).

3.45.020 Procurement of architectural and engineering services.

A. For contracts up to $100,000, the City may choose to only select firms from the list, as stated under SVMC 3.45.010, based on the information that has been submitted in response to the annual publication.

B. For contracts over $100,000, the City shall, at least 15 days prior to contracting for architectural or engineering services, publish a notice stating the specific project or scope of work or announce generally the category or type of professional services required. The notice shall contain the name and address of a City representative who can provide information and details on the request for qualifications or request for proposal.

C. The City shall review the current statements of qualifications on file with the city clerk, and/or the statements submitted in response to the notice as may be required by subsections A and B of this section, and shall conduct discussions with one or more firms regarding anticipated concepts and the relative utility of alternative methods for furnishing the requested services. The City may request interviews and presentations from firms.

D. The City shall select the most highly qualified firm to provide the services based upon the criteria set forth below and in the request. The evaluation criteria includes:

1. The ability of the firm to provide the requested services;

2. The scope of work or methods to furnish the services;

3. Qualifications, experience and references;

4. Performance under previous contracts with the City; and

5. Such other information as deemed relevant.

After identification of the most highly qualified firm, the City shall request a fee proposal from the firm and thereafter proceed to negotiate a contract at a price which is determined by the City to be fair and reasonable. In making this determination the City shall evaluate the estimated value of the services, the scope, complexity and nature of the request. If the City is unable to negotiate a fair and reasonable price for services, negotiations shall be terminated and another firm shall be selected in accordance with the above process.

E. When the parties have reached a fair and reasonable price, and depending upon the amount of the contract, the city council or city manager shall review the contract for authorization. During the negotiation process the selected firm shall not contact any member of the city council to discuss the fee for services unless otherwise authorized.

The City reserves the right to cancel any request for qualifications or proposals. The request shall not be deemed an offer of contract nor shall any firm be entitled to recover any cost associated with preparing a response. (Ord. 07-004 § 4, 2007; Ord. 22 § 2, 2003).

3.45.030 Emergency and limitation.

Nothing contained herein shall limit or prevent the City from procuring architectural or engineering services in the event of an emergency. This chapter shall be expressly limited to the professional services identified herein. (Ord. 07-004 § 4, 2007; Ord. 22 § 3, 2003).