§ 2-174. Contracting for designated professional services.

(a)

Authority. The council shall secure the services of lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers and land surveying services, as well as other such professionals as that term is defined by state law, in accordance with the selection procedures specified in this section. The expenditures for such services shall be within the scope of the authorized and approved city budget.

(b)

Conditions for use. Except as approved under section 2-176 or section 2-178, the professional services designated in subsection (a) of this section shall be procured in accordance with this subsection.

(c)

Statement of qualifications. Persons engaged in providing the designated types of professional services may submit statements of qualifications and expressions of interest in providing such professional services. The council may specify a uniform format for statements of qualifications. Persons may amend these statements at any time by filing a new statement.

(d)

Public announcement and form of request for proposals. Adequate notice of the need for such services shall be given by the council through a request for proposals. The request for proposals shall describe the services required, list the types of information and data required of each offeror, and state information and the relative importance of particular qualifications.

(e)

Discussion. The council through its designee may conduct discussions with any offeror who has submitted a proposal to determine such offeror's qualifications for further consideration. Discussions shall not disclose any information derived from proposals submitted by other offerors.

(f)

Award. Award shall be made to the offeror determined in writing by the council to be best qualified based on pertinent evaluation factors and negotiation of compensation determined to be fair and reasonable. If compensation cannot be agreed upon with the best qualified offeror, then negotiations will be formally terminated with the selected offeror. If proposals were submitted by one or more offerors determined to be qualified, negotiation may be conducted with such other offerors in the order of their respective qualifications ranking, and the contract may be awarded to the offeror then ranked best qualified if the amount of compensation is determined to be fair and reasonable.

(Code 1982, § 2-5-5; Ord. No. 228-99, § 8, 11-22-1999)