2017 -- S 0925

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LC002715

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- AWARD OF MUNICIPAL CONTRACTS

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardi, Lynch Prata, McCaffrey, Goodwin, and Gallo

     Date Introduced: May 30, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-55-8.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-55 entitled "Award of

Municipal Contracts" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-55-8.1. Qualification based selection of architects and engineers.

     (a) When the purchasing agent determines that the city or town needs the services of a

professional architect or engineer, the purchasing agent shall follow the qualification based

selection process for the procurement of architectural and engineering consulting services.

     (b) Federal requirements. In the procurement of architectural, engineering, and consulting

services and in the awarding of contracts, the city or town shall comply with federal law and

regulations including, but not limited to, Pub. L. 92-582 (Federal Architect-Engineer Selection

Law, Brooks Law, 40 U.S.C. 541) and take all necessary steps to adapt its rules, specifications,

policies, and procedures accordingly to remain eligible for federal aid.

     (c) Prequalification. Cities and towns may establish procedures to prequalify firms

seeking to provide architectural, engineering, and consultant services or may use prequalification

lists from other state agencies to meet the requirements of this section.

     (d) No city or town, prior to selecting a firm for negotiation during procurement under

this section, shall seek formal or informal submission of verbal or written estimates of costs or

proposals in terms of dollars, hours required, percentage of construction cost, or any other

measure of compensation.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- AWARD OF MUNICIPAL CONTRACTS

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     This act would include certain federal requirements within the selection criteria for cities

or towns hiring architects or engineers, and would permit cities or towns to prequalify firms

selecting architecture, engineering and consulting services.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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