Overview
This section prescribes the procedures for federal agencies to establish evaluation boards and maintain systematic qualification records for architect-engineer (A-E) firms. It ensures that agencies have a centralized, updated database of firm capabilities to facilitate the specialized selection process required for A-E contracts.
Key Rules
- Establishment of Boards: Agencies must maintain permanent evaluation boards or offices, assigned by geographic region or construction specialty, to manage firm qualification data.
- Mandatory Documentation: To be considered for A-E contracts, firms must submit Standard Form (SF) 330, "Architect-Engineer Qualifications" (Part II is required; Part I is project-specific).
- Classification Criteria: Evaluation boards must classify firms based on four specific factors: location, specialized experience, professional capabilities, and capacity (including computer-assisted design skills).
- Annual Maintenance: Offices must review and update firm files at least once a year, which includes recording new contract awards and incorporating recent performance evaluations.
- Data Retention: Agencies are required to discard any material that has not been updated within the past three years if it is no longer pertinent.
- Mandatory Usage: Evaluation boards and contracting officers are required to utilize these maintained data files when identifying firms for potential contracts.
Practical Implications
- Proactive Compliance: For A-E firms, simply responding to individual solicitations is insufficient; they must proactively maintain an updated SF 330 Part II on file with relevant agency boards to remain competitive and visible for upcoming requirements.
- Automated Filtering: Because agencies classify firms by location and capacity, a firm's failure to highlight specific technical capabilities or regional presence in their annual filing can lead to being overlooked during the initial "shortlist" phase of the Brooks Act selection process.