(a) Agencies shall use the selection process described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section for those professional services within the scope of the practice of architecture, professional engineering, including, but not limited to, environmental engineering, consulting and environmental monitoring, professional land surveying, construction management, landscape architecture and geology as defined and authorized by the laws of the State or those services performed by persons engaged in the above-mentioned professions in connection with their professional employment or practice.

(1) Based upon the criteria established pursuant to § 6981(f) of this title, the agency shall rank, in order of preference, the applicants deemed to be qualified to perform the required services.

(2) Beginning with the qualified firm designated first on the preference list, the agency shall negotiate for professional services at compensation which the agency determines is fair and reasonable. The agency shall conduct an analysis of the cost of the professional services required, in addition to considering their scope and complexity. Fee proposals shall not be solicited from this or any other firm on the preference list for use in comparison of fee negotiations. The agency may require the firm receiving the award to execute a truth-in-negotiation certificate stating the wage rates and other factual unit costs supporting the compensation are accurate, complete and current at the time of contracting. All professional service contracts shall provide that the original contract price and any additions thereto shall be adjusted to exclude any significant sums where the agency determines the contract price was increased due to inaccurate, incomplete or noncurrent wage rates and other factual unit costs. All such contract adjustments shall be made within 1 year following the end of the contract.

(3) Should the agency be unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with the qualified firm designated to be first on the preference list, at a price the agency determines to be fair and reasonable, negotiations with that firm shall be formally terminated. The agency may negotiate with the remaining firms by order of ranking. At any point in the negotiations process, the agency may, at its discretion, terminate negotiations with any or all firms.

(4) After accomplishing the evaluation and conducting discussions and negotiations, the agency shall select 1 applicant and prepare a public notice within 10 days after awarding the contract stating the firm selected. This notice will appear in a statewide news publication or by letter to all applicants. If the agency has elected to select multiple firms, the agency shall continue the selection process by negotiating with the next firm on the preference list. This process shall be continued until the required number of vendors have been selected.

(5) It shall be the responsibility of the professional services firm to be current with any professional registration or certification as required by law.

(b) For all professional services not described in subsection (a) of this section, agencies shall use the selection process described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section.

(1) Based upon the criteria established pursuant to § 6981(f) of this title, the agency shall determine all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications to perform the required services.

(2) The agency shall then interview at least 1 of the qualified firms. The agency may negotiate with 1 firm without terminating negotiations with another firm and may negotiate with 1 or more firms during the same period. At any point in the negotiation process, the agency may, at its discretion, terminate negotiations with any or all firms.

(3) The agency may require the firm with whom the agency is negotiating to execute a truth-in-negotiation certificate stating the wage rates and other factual unit costs supporting the compensation are accurate, complete and current at the time of contracting. All professional service contracts shall provide that the original contract price and any additions thereto shall be adjusted to exclude significant sums where the agency determines the contract price was increased due to inaccurate, incomplete or noncurrent wage rates and other factual unit costs. All such contract adjustments shall be made within 1 year following the end of the contract.

59 Del. Laws, c. 573, § 1; 60 Del. Laws, c. 589, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 601, § 9; 78 Del. Laws, c. 288, § 4.