Better Projects, Better Value
QBS is a simple and competitive process that matches the right design professional service provider to your project.
- Ensures cost effectiveness
- Reduces change orders
- Improves construction quality
- Encourages innovation
- Promotes collaboration
- Creates partners not adversaries
“We use QBS now for all engineering because it just saves a bunch of potential problems.”
Steve Sobers, Big Rapids City Manager
How QBS Works

1.
Identify the project and general scope of work.

2.
Issue a request for qualifications.

3.
Evaluate the qualifications.

4.
Develop a short list of qualified firms.

5.
Conduct Interviews (if required).

6.
Rank firms.

7.
Select your top-ranked firm.

8.
Jointly define scope with top-ranked consultant.

9.
Negotiate a fee.

10.
Execute a contract.
“Public agencies that use Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) to procure architectural and engineering services are better able to control construction costs and achieve a consistently high degree of project satisfaction than those using other methods, according to a two year study.”
Source: University of Colorado and Georgia Institute of Technology