The Request for Qualifications: Attracting and Selecting the Best Qualified Design-Builder - Design-Build for Water and Wastewater Projects - page 179

field inspection and review of work, coordination with existing operations, and closeout
procedures should be included in the technical approach, so that the owner can gain a
thorough understanding of the proposer's plans for the project. The RFQ should also
require proposers to describe their energy efficiency and/or sustainability approaches.
It is important to understand and evaluate the adequacy of the proposers' commis-
sioning, startup, and acceptance testing plan. A thorough explanation of these activities,
and how they relate to any operating permit will provide useful information for the owner.
In the case of design-build-operate (DBO) projects (see chapter 26 for more informa-
tion), an explanation of the proposer's operating and maintenance (O&M) plan is needed.
In some cases, a separate agreement for O&M may be developed by the owner in the proj-
ect planning phases, a draft of which should be included in the RFQ.
EVALUATION CRITERIA AND PROCEDURE
In its “Best Value Selection” Position Statement (DBIA 2011), DBIA urges owners to take
action to attract the best qualified design-builders by ensuring integrity and impartiality
in the selection process. Criteria to be used by the selection committee should be clearly
identified in the RFQ. The RFQ should explain how the following elements will be evalu-
ated and scored by the selection panel. These elements vary by region and corresponding
weighting factors in many cases vary by project.
• General information (locality specific requirements such as required forms, cer-
tifications, acknowledgments, etc.)
• SOQ completeness
• Financial capabilities
• Experience
• Technical and management approach
• Acceptance of summary of contract terms
Chapters 16 and 17 highlight considerations for the owner selection committee and
the options for evaluating DB teams and bids.
Evaluation Criteria
There are several ways to evaluate SOQs. Some owners use a simple point system where
points are allocated to each selection factor. The following categories are most often used.
Past performance. Evaluate the past performance of the prime design-builder or
joint venture team members. The past performance of the primary design firm should
also be evaluated.
Joint experience of the design-build entities working together. It is always
worthwhile to have information about any past projects on which the major team members
have worked together. The major team members may have a history of working with each
other. This past history can include projects where the teaming partners may have played
a different role than that proposed for the owner's project. If a team of firms have worked
together in the past and are proposing for the owner's project, it demonstrates that the
DB team has confidence in each party that has led to them teaming again. This may be