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S7976Senate2015-2016 SessionSame asA10542

Relates to state contracts for landscape architecture

Sponsor David J. ValeskySD-53Affects Finance
Status
In Assembly Committee
Governmental Operations
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 5 of 7

In Assembly · Governmental Operations

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
David J. Valesky

Senator · Senate District 53

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Referred to governmental operations
  2. Delivered to assembly
  3. Passed senateVote 61–0
  4. Ordered to third reading cal.1593
  5. Committee discharged and committed to rules
  6. Referred to finance

Companion bill

The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.

A10542Assembly

Relates to state contracts for landscape architecture

In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor David Buchwald

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to state contracts for landscape architecture

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would add landscape architecture services to the current list of professional services procured through the qualifications based selection process.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Amends subdivision 1, subdivision 2, subdivision 3, subdivision 4, and subdivision 5 of section 136-a of the state finance law by inserting the word "landscape architecture".

Justification

The intent of this bill is to ensure that state agencies receive the services of the most qualified contractor through the establishment of a mechanism for the procurement of landscape architecture services. Current law includes architectural services, engineering services, and land surveying services, but not landscape architecture services.

Qualifications Based Selections (QBS) is a procurement process that is used widely throughout the country and has recently been adopted by New York City. Instead of cost-based procurement which focuses primarily on price, QBS procurement focuses on qualifications and experience as the paramount basis for selection. However, after the highest technically ranked firm is selected and the project scope is fully defined, QBS generates a realistic fee based on a fee proposal by the consultant and negotiations with the agency. If an agency cannot negotiate a fair price with the first choice consultant, it has the option to negotiate with the next highly qualified consultant, and so on.

QBS allows agencies to select the design firm with the best experience, capabilities, technical approach and quality of personnel, matched to the needs of the project and the agency; generates better plans and specifications, resulting in higher quality contract documents that make bidding on and carrying out construction easier; fosters the development of innovative, cost-effective design solutions at fair market value, resulting in lower overall project costs; and generates design solutions that best meet the needs of the project, emphasizing public health, safety and quality of life.

QBS is mandated in at least 46 other states and has proven to be an effective procurement tool. QBS generates competition by bringing more firms into the bidding process. As a result, owners are ensured a better project and a savings to the taxpayer.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Should result in cost savings for the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.