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Commissioners request competitive procurement for administration building A&E after staff recommended single‑source
Summary
After a staff recommendation to single‑source the architecture/engineering contract to the firm already designing the adjacent parking structure, the board directed administration to run a competitive procurement for the administration building A&E services and to return with responses.
Kalamazoo County’s purchasing manager told commissioners that Fishbeck (the A&E firm currently designing the county parking structure) would be the logical single‑source selection for design of a future County Administration building because the two structures would share foundations, mechanical interfaces and a unified BIM model. Purchasing Manager Victoria Barbosa cited guidance from quality‑based selection groups and professional associations that favor continuity where buildings are physically or functionally linked.
Commissioners expressed mixed opinions and asked for greater competition. Several commissioners said they preferred a competitive request for proposals to test the market and ensure transparency for a large upcoming project. After discussion, the majority directed administration to issue a competitive procurement for architectural and engineering services for the new administration building rather than approve a sole‑source award.
Why this matter was contentious
- Staff argument for single source: continuity of design, reduced interface risk where buildings connect, existing project knowledge and shared Building Information Modeling (BIM) assets.
- Commissioners’ concerns: fair procurement practices, local marketplace opportunities and the fact the parking project originally was competitively awarded; several commissioners said the administration building design is in early stages and they preferred a competitive process for A&E services.
Decision and next steps
- Administration was directed to proceed with a competitive procurement (RFP/RFQ) for architecture and engineering services for the proposed county administration building.
- Commissioners asked administration to continue robust design coordination with the parking structure team and to include technical questions in the solicitation that address safety, vibration (Amtrak proximity) and utility coordination.
Speakers (attributed)
- Victoria Barbosa — Purchasing Manager, presented the single‑source justification and summarized guidance from the QBS Coalition, AIA and CMAA. - Commissioner Mazer — expressed preference for a competitive process and said he would vote no on sole-sourcing. - Commissioner Kistler — raised constituent concerns about railroad vibrations and asked staff to confirm engineering for site proximity to Amtrak.
What administrators said they will do
Administration confirmed it will prepare a competitive solicitation for the board’s review and include opportunities for a pre‑solicitation conference to hear vendor feedback about the project’s interface requirements and sequencing.
Speakers
- Victoria Barbosa — Purchasing Manager, Kalamazoo County - Commissioner Mazer — Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners - Commissioner Kistler — Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners
