Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §1742, sub-§6, as repealed and replaced by PL 1979, c. 223, is amended to read:

6. Approve selection of architects and engineers. To approve the selection of architects and engineers registered in Maine in the planning, design and monitoring of construction of public improvements consistent with the policy of this State that proposals for architectural and engineering services for public improvements be publicly announced, and that contracts for architectural and engineering services be negotiated by the contracting authority on the basis of evaluation of professional competency and qualifications required for the type of services contemplated at fair and reasonable prices.

The bureau shall adopt procedures for the procurement of any professional architectural and engineering services for public improvements as defined in section 1741. The procedures shall must be adopted pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375 and be deemed a rule.

The procedure shall must contain a provision that, prior to initiating the process of selecting an architect or engineer for any project, the contracting authority shall advertise in a daily newspaper that serves the area in which the project is likely to be located. The advertisement shall must state, at a minimum, that the selection is to take place and describe the procedures which that an engineer or architect may use to be considered as a candidate in the selection process.

The director of the bureau shall maintain a list of engineers and architects who have expressed an interest in providing service to the State or school administrative units.

Notwithstanding this subsection, the bureau may make a direct selection from the list described in this subsection without advertising or competitive selection if the cost of the architect's or engineer's services does not exceed $25,000.

SUMMARY

This bill allows the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services to make a direct selection of an architect or engineer without advertising or competitive selection if the cost of that architect's or engineer's services does not exceed $25,000.