Comments: FHWA QBS Contracting Exemption

ARTBA on Apr. 1 sent comments to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) opposing the broad-sweeping elimination of qualifications-based selection (QBS) for procurement of engineering design services. The proposed change would affect federal contracts arising from grants awarded directly to non-state transportation agencies (non-STA). ARTBA commented that FHWA has not demonstrated a need for the proposed rule. Instead, the rule may undermine the quality of design services in construction projects, potentially resulting in increased costs and delays. ARTBA recommended FHWA rescind the proposed rule and instead focus on offering additional resources to non-STAs to implement reliable contracting methods, including QBS.