Procurement issues concern many architects, especially in light of a full-scale legislative study of the state’s existing law on the practices. These concerns were relayed in a morning meeting at the Mason Inn on the campus of George Mason University on July 19, 2013, between Del. David Bulova (D-Fairfax) and a half dozen members of the VSAIA.
Bulova made time in his schedule to meet with VSAIA Vice President for Government Advocacy Valerie Hassett, AIA, as well as Bill Evans, AIA, Bill Brown, AIA, Mary-Ellen Pfiester, AIA, and Jim Sternick, AIA. Duncan Abernathy, AIA provided staff support.
The members expressed their personal positive experiences stemming from the public protections offered by the Virginia Public Procurement Act. Included among these protections is the practice of hiring design professionals based upon qualifications. (This is referred to as qualifications-based selection or QBS and is the basis for federal procurement laws and those in more than 40 states including Virginia.)
This section of the law demands that the initial criteria for any project being considered by any public entity — including state, city, county, school board, or quasi-public authority — make no reference to fees. In this way, public bodies are forced to focus only on qualifications. Once the qualified firms have been identified, fees may be broached in general during the discussions leading to the development of the project’s scope.
Bulova serves on the House of Delegates’ General Laws committee, through which about 80 percent to 90 percent of the bills affecting architects flow. He also serves on the education and agriculture, Chesapeake, and natural resources committees.
As with all members of Virginia’s part-time General Assembly, Bulova holds down a regular job as well. He is a senior planner with AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. His expertise is in water resources planning including stormwater regulations and management. As such, he understands the sustainability aims of design professionals especially those related to water quality.
While the subcommittee studying the Virginia Public Procurement Act has only just begun its two-year process, it is in the interests of the public that professionals speak to the issue with every member of the General Laws committee, both delegates and senators, as often as possible.
To determine who represents you in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, go to this link — http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/ — click at the top where it asks “Who’s My Legislator?” and fill in your home address information. The response will provide contact information for Virginia House and Senate members plus representatives in the U.S. Congress.
To find out who serves on the General Laws committees, click on this link — http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/membersAndSession.php?secid=1&activesec=0#!hb=1&mainContentTabs=4 — then click on first Senate Committees and then House Committees.
To find out more information or how to schedule a meeting with your delegate or senator, write or call Duncan Abernathy, AIA, at daber@aiava.org or (804) 237-1776.