National Guard seeks prequalification authority for architects and engineers to speed federal maintenance projects

Brig. Gen. Jackie Huber, deputy adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard, told the Senate Industry and Business Committee that Senate Bill 2130 would let the Guard prequalify architects and engineers for recurring maintenance, repair and modernization (SRM) projects so the state can execute federal reimbursements promptly.

Huber said the Guard relies heavily on federal Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (SRM) funds to maintain about 330 buildings across 12 complexes. She told the committee that over the last three years the state received roughly $28 million in federal reimbursement for 83 projects and that in recent fiscal years the Guard has realized about $11 million to $12 million per year in federal funds. Those federal dollars must be spent within a single fiscal year (Oct. 1–Sept. 30), Huber said, and delays in procurement and execution risk losing federal funds and future funding allocations.

Senate Bill 2130 would authorize a procurement approach similar to the Department of Transportation’s current prequalification process, allowing the Guard to prequalify A/E firms for relatively small, recurring SRM projects and then select among prequalified firms for specific assignments. Huber said the proposal applies only to architect and engineering services for SRM work and not to contractor selection for construction; roughly 90% of the Guard’s projects fall below a $250,000 threshold, she said.

Huber told the committee the expedited process would allow completion of about 28 projects per fiscal year compared with roughly eight projects under the current timeline, and she estimated the state could be at risk of losing $14 million to $16 million in federal funding each biennium without the change.

Representatives of the construction and design industries testified as neutral and said they understood the bill’s limited scope and emphasized that the chapter 54 procurement provisions would still apply. The Associated General Contractors and the American Council of Engineering Companies and American Institute of Architects in North Dakota said they had no position against the bill as presented.

The committee voted unanimously to give the bill a due‑pass recommendation. Senator Klein moved the due‑pass motion and Senator Boehm seconded; the clerk recorded ayes from Senator Klein, Senator Castle, Chairman Barta, Vice Chairman Boehm and Senator Engate during the roll call, and the committee announced a unanimous due‑pass.

Ending: Committee members expressed support for a process that preserves competition while reducing procurement time; the bill moves forward with a due‑pass recommendation from the Senate Industry and Business Committee.