How to Select an Engineer
Qualification Based Selection (QBS)
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois, Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association and the American Institute of Architects endorses a selection procedure most often referred to as Qualifications Based Selection (QBS).
QBS procedures are required of federal agencies by the Brooks Act, Public Law 92-582 (40 U.S.C. 541). State and local grant recipients of federal highway, transit and airport funds are also required to use QBS pursuant to the Surface Transportation Act of 1987. QBS is recommended by the American Bar Association in their model procurement code, and is required of most Illinois local government units pursuant to Illinois Public Act 85-854, and Illinois State agencies pursuant to Illinois Public Act 87-673. These laws should be reviewed to determine their applicability, and different requirements.
For a step-by-step explanation of how to select an engineer using QBS, we recommend the Illinois QBS website.