PART 736—CONSTRUCTION AND

ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS

Authority: Sec. 621, Pub. L. 87–195, 75 Stat. 445, (22 U.S.C. 2381) as amended; E.O. 12163, Sept.

29, 1979, 44 FR 56673; 3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 435.

Source: 49 FR 13254, Apr. 3, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart 736.5—Contract Clauses

736.570 Disability standards in construction contracts.

Subpart 736.6—Architect-Engineer Services

736.602-2 Evaluation boards.

736.602-3 Evaluation board functions.

736.602-4 Selection authority.

736.602-5 Short selection process for procurements not to exceed the simplified acquisition

threshold.

736.603 [Reserved]

736.605 Government cost estimate for architect-engineer work.

Parent topic: SUBCHAPTER F—SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING

Subpart 736.5—Contract Clauses

736.570 Disability standards in construction contracts.

Contracting officers must insert the clause at 752.236–70, Standards for Accessibility for the

Disabled in USAID Construction Contracts, in all solicitations and contracts for construction or

renovations made using program funds.

Subpart 736.6—Architect-Engineer Services

736.602-2 Evaluation boards.

(a)–(b) [Reserved]

(c) Each evaluation board will include a representative of the contracting officer and, as appropriate,

the cognizant bureau.
736.602-3 Evaluation board functions.

Agency architect-engineer evaluation boards shall perform the following functions:

(a) Prepare a selection memorandum recommending no less than three firms which are considered

most highly qualified to perform the required services for submission to the head of the contracting

activity for his/her approval. This selection memorandum shall include the information specified in

736.602–3(c).

(b) In evaluating architect-engineer firms, the architect-engineer evaluation board shall apply the

following criteria, other criteria established by Agency regulations, and any criteria set forth in the

public notice on a particular contract:

(1) Specialized experience of the firm (including each member of joint venture or association) with

the type of service required;

(2) Capacity of the firm to perform the work (including any specialized services) within the time

limitations;

(3) Past record of performance on contracts with USAID or other Government agencies and private

industry with respect to such factors as control of costs, quality of work, and ability to meet

schedules, to the extent such information is available;

(4) Ability to assign an adequate number of qualified key personnel from the organization, including

a competent supervising representative having considerable experience in responsible positions on

work of a similar nature;

(5) The portions of the work the architect-engineer is able to perform with its own forces when

required;

(6) Ability of the architect-engineer to furnish or to obtain required materials and equipment;

(7) If the geographical or topographical aspects of the project are deemed vital, familiarity with the

locality where the project is situated;

(8) Financial capacity;

(9) Responsibility of the architect-engineer under standards provided in (48 CFR) FAR subpart 9.1.

No contract may be awarded to a contractor that does not meet these standards;

(10) Volume of work previously awarded to the firm by the Agency, with the object of effecting an

equitable distribution of architect-engineer contracts among qualified firms. Each architect-engineer

evaluation board shall give favorable consideration, to the fullest extent practicable to the most

highly qualified firms that have not had prior experience on Government projects (including small

business firms and firms owned by the socially and/or economically deprived).

(c) The evaluation board shall prepare a selection memorandum for the approval of the head of the

contracting activity. The selection memorandum will be signed by the board chairman and cleared

by each board member. The selection memorandum shall include the following information:

(1) A listing by name of all firms reviewed by the board;

(2) A listing of the evaluation criteria applied;
(3) An analysis of the selection showing the rationale for the board's recommendation;

(4) The board's recommendation of the three most highly qualified firms, in order of preference;

(5) An independent Government cost estimate. The evaluation board shall require the project

engineer to develop an independent Government estimate of the cost of the required architectengineer services. Consideration shall be given to the estimated value of the services to be rendered,

the scope, complexity, and the nature of the project and the estimated costs expected to be

generated by the work. The independent Government estimate shall be revised as required during

negotiations to correct noted deficiencies and reflect changes in or clarification of, the scope of the

work to be performed by the architect-engineer. A cost estimate based on the application of

percentage factors to cost estimates of the various segments of the work involved, e.g., construction

project, may be developed for comparison purposes, but such a cost estimate shall not be used as a

substitute for the independent Government estimate.

736.602-4 Selection authority.

(a) The head of the contracting activity or his/her authorized designee shall review the selection

memorandum and shall either approve it or return it to the board for reconsideration for specified

reasons.

(b) Approval of the selection memorandum by the head of the contracting activity or his/her

authorized designee shall serve as authorization for the contracting office to commence negotiation.

736.602-5 Short selection process for procurements not to exceed the

simplified acquisition threshold.

References to (48 CFR) FAR 36.602–3 and 36.602–4 contained in (48 CFR) FAR 36.602–5 shall be

construed as references to 736.602–3 and 736.602–4 of this subpart.

736.603 [Reserved]

736.605 Government cost estimate for architect-engineer work.

See 736.602–3(c)(5).