Policy 7321 – Architect/Engineers

In accordance with state law, a properly registered and licensed architect or engineer shall design District buildings.

The School Board shall designate an architect/engineer for major facility construction, additions or remodeling projects. Selection shall be on the basis of general qualifications including design ability, technical competence in the design of educational facilities, reliability, and past work experience with the District. A modified AIA contract between the architect/engineer and the School Board shall be promptly executed upon selection. This contract shall define in detail the rights and obligations of both parties.

LEGAL REF.:

  • Wisconsin Statutes
    • Section 120.13(9) [Board power; employ architect or engineer]

CROSS REF.:

  • Policy 7200, Facilities Planning
  • Policy 7320, Consultant Services
  • Policy 7330, Construction Contracts, Bidding and Awards
  • Policy 7350, Project Administration/Supervision
  • Policy 7360, Facilities Records and Reports

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS: None

AFFIRMED: June 10, 1991

REVISED:

  • February 13, 2001
  • November 13, 2001
  • September 25, 2007
  • December 17, 2013

Rule 7321 – Architect/Engineer

The process for selection of an architectural and/or engineering firm shall be:

  1. Administration shall develop and distribute a request for proposal (RFP) for architectural/engineering services which will include, at a minimum, the scope of services, information on the project(s), and a copy of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) standard contract as modified by the District.

    Other information that may be requested from the prospective firms in the RFP includes, but is not limited to:

    • Relevant experience – including details on project such as size of school, general contractor, construction costs, etc.
    • Services firm will supply.
    • Sub-consultants that the firm is proposing using for the project(s).
    • Information on change order quantity and cost on projects they designed.
    • Legal cases between firm and clients.
    • Experience working with the applicable municipality where the school will be built.
    • Primary contact for project.
    • References from school projects.
    • Actual bid versus cost estimates for school projects.
  2. All architectural and/or engineering firms as part of their proposal will either have to accept the AIA standard contract as modified by the District or identify in writing any exceptions requested. All exceptions will be required to be resolved prior to being interviewed by the School Board.
  3. Administration will narrow the field of architects/engineers to 3-5 semi-finalists to be interviewed by the School Board.
  4. Administration shall provide the School Board with copies of the semi-finalists’ proposals received and a summary indicating how the semi-finalists were determined.
  5. The School Board will interview the semi-finalists at a Special Meeting. Each firm will be given a short period of time to introduce their firm and summarize their qualifications. This will be followed by each firm responding to pre-selected questions developed by the School Board and Administration.

    The other semi-finalists will not be allowed to watch their competitors being interviewed, and all of the semi-finalists must remain in the building until a firm is hired by the School Board. All negotiations and discussions on the selection process will be conducted in closed session.