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Commissioners Brown and Philbeck - Budget/Purchasing - To Amend the Gaston County Purchasing Policies and Procedures, Authorizing the County Manager or His Designee to Approve Certain Architectural and Engineering Contracts Without a Qualification Based Selection (QBS) Procedure for Purchases Under $50,000. Additionally, Authorize the County Manager to Adjust the QBS Threshold Accordingly in the Future as the State Changes the Exemption Threshold
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STAFF CONTACT
Matt Rhoten - Budget & Purchasing - 704-866-3048
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
N/A
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Under G.S. 143-64.31, a unit of local government must announce all requirements for architectural, engineering, surveying, construction management at risk services, design-build services, and public-private partnership construction services to select firms qualified to provide such services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualification for their professional service. The local government then negotiates with the best qualified firm for such services. This procedure, which can be time - consuming, especially for minor projects, is known as the qualifications based selection (QBS) procedure. G.S. 143-64.32 permits a unit of local government in writing to exempt particular projects of these types from such regulation. Staff is requesting the Board of Commissioners to grant the Manager or his designee the authority to in writing exempt the County from the QBS procedure for such services under Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), which is the threshold allowed per G.S.143-64.32. granting the Manager or his designee such authority will enable the County to contract with service providers in a more expeditious manner. This authority is not intended to increase any of the bid threshold requirements, and will not preclude the Manager from employing the QBS procedure for purchases as described herein for fewer than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), as he deems fit. Additionally authorize the County Manager to adjust the QBS threshold accordingly in the future as the State changes the exemption threshold.
POLICY IMPACT
Amends the Gaston County Purchasing Policies & Procedures. The County Manger will be able to more efficiently purchase the types of services subject to G.S. 143-64.31.
ATTACHMENTS
G.S.143-64.31; G.S.143-64.32.