House votes to change state procurement for design work, favoring qualifications over lowest bid
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Summary
House Bill 4774, amending the Management and Budget Act to allow qualifications-based selection (QBS) for engineering and architectural design contracts, passed the House 98–3 after Representative Fairbairn argued QBS yields better long-term value and cited the federal Brooks Act as a model.
The Michigan House approved House Bill 4774 on third reading, a change to the Management and Budget Act that would permit or prioritize qualifications-based selection (QBS) for procuring engineers and architects for state projects.
Representative Fairbairn urged colleagues to support the bill, describing it as an update to Michigan’s request-for-proposal process so the state can evaluate firms on technical ability, qualifications and project understanding instead of automatically favoring the lowest bid. Fairbairn referenced the federal Brooks Act, which mandates QBS for federal projects, and argued the approach produces higher-quality project documents and better long-term value.
The clerk called the roll; the House passed HB4774 with 98 ayes and 3 nays. The majority floor leader moved for immediate effect and the motion was ordered.
The sponsor maintained the bill would change procurement practice for complex state design projects by allowing the state to negotiate fees only after selecting the most qualified firm. The bill moves next to enrollment and presentation to the governor.