THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO
ISSUED DATE: 09/17/00
PURCHASING OFFICE OPERATING PROCEDURES
REVISED DATE: 10/15/02
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2
PROCUREMENT
SUBJECT
2.60
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
GENERAL INFORMATION
This procedure is issued to establish effective guidelines for the purchase of Professional Services consistent with applicable
laws and regulations.
AUDIENCE
Applicable to all Procurement Staff.
GUIDELINES
1.
Definition: Professional Services mean services in the following categories:
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Accounting
Architecture
Land Surveying
Medicine
Optometry
Professional Engineering
Real Estate Appraising
Or persons in connection with professional employment or practice who are licensed as:
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2.
Certified Public Accountant
Architect
Land Surveyor
Medical Practitioner (e.g. Dr., RN, PA, etc.)
Optometrist
Professional Engineer
State Certified or State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser
Selection of Vendor : In soliciting the use of a Professional Service provider, the buyer should use the RFP process
described in Section 2.50 with the exceptions notated below. Considering these exceptions, the solicitation method
used in securing Professional Services is titled a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), rather than an RFP..
A.
The selection of a Vendor for professional services can not be made on the basis of competitive bids or
pricing.
B.
The selection and award of a Vendor of professional services shall be made only on:
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C.
The basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications to perform the services
Other Reasonable and Relevant Best Value considerations excluding price.
The professional fees under the contract:
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Must be consistent with and not higher than the recommended practices and fees published by the
applicable professional associations
May not exceed any maximum provided by law.
3.
Selection of Architects, Engineers or Surveyors
A.
In selecting a Vendor of architectural, engineering, or land surveying services, a UTSA shall:
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B.
If a satisfactory agreement cannot be negotiated with the most highly qualified Vendor:
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Select the most highly qualified Vendor of those services on the basis of demonstrated competence and
qualifications; and
Attempt to negotiate with the selected Vendor an agreement at a fair and reasonable price.
Formally end negotiations with that Vendor
Select the next most highly qualified Vendor
Attempt to negotiate an agreement with that Vendor at a fair and reasonable price
C.
UTSA shall continue the process described in Subsection B, above to select and negotiate with Vendors
until an agreement is entered into.
D.
Other allowable exceptions to the RFQ process for the selection of A/E services can be found within
Attachment A.
Professional Services Agreement
A.
All Professional Services shall be procured via a Professional Services Agreement between UTSA and the
Vendor, with the exception of the policies as allowed within Attachment A.
B.
The Professional Services Agreement shall be in the form prescribed by The Office of General Counsel.
C.
The Professional Services Agreement shall be executed by the Vice President of Business and
Administration.
Orders over $100,000
All requests for Professional Services, where the anticipated total value exceeds $100,000, shall be reviewed by the
HUB Program Coordinator (ref. Purchasings HUB Subcontracting) prior to selection and award.
EXCEPTIONS
There will be no exceptions unless by formal addendum to this procedure or other formal written exception by the Official
Purchasing Officer.
REFERENCES
Government Code, Chapter 2254
Attachments:
A – A/E Construction Guidelines