Design Professionals

General Information:

Design Professional Selection Process

With the aid of the owner, the Project Managers establish the selection committee. The selection process follows procedures in accordance with Florida statutes such assubsection 287.055 F.S. and Department of Management Services rules. Project Managers are trained to select the best private sector firms for the needs of the individual project.

Selection Process:

• Establishment of Selection Committee
• Establishment of Selection Schedule
• Advertisement for Professional Services
• Review of Applicant's Submittal Package
• Determination by Selection Committee of Top
• Three Most Qualified Firms (Short List)
• Committee Interviews and Ranks Firms

It takes 60 days for the Selection Process.

Design Professional Contracting Process

The Project Manager works with the Contract Administrators to negotiate an agreement for professional services. The contracts are reviewed and approved by the Legal Council of the Department of Management Services. These agreements contain paragraphs and clauses written from the owner's point of view rather than the standard contract provided by the Architect. This eliminates future legal problems from any misunderstandings between professional firms and the Division of Real Estate Development and Management. This has resulted in a smooth running construction experience for the owners that the Division represents. The Division's established contract is known by the providers and ready to execute with very few revisions needed.

Contract Steps:

1. The Contracts Administrator receives the following information from the top ranked firm before negotiations begin:

• Fee Proposal
• Justification of Overhead Rate
• Salaries
• Proposed Phases, Schedule and Payments
• Proposed Additional Services
• Proposed Construction Site Visits

2. Contract Negotiations Begin
3. Design Firm Agreement Signed
4. Contract Awarded

It takes 30 days for the Design Professional Contract Process.