137-049-0640 Competitive Proposals; Procedure Contracting Agencies may utilize the following RFP process for Public Improvement Contracts, allowing flexibility in both Proposal evaluation and Contract negotiation, only in accordance with ORS 279C.330 to 279C.337, 279C.400 to 279C.410 and OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690, unless other applicable statutes control a Contracting Agency's use of competitive Proposals for Public Improvement Contracts. Also see the subdivision of rules in this division 49 entitled “Formal Procurement Rules,” 137-049-0200 to 137-049-0480, and RFP related rules under the Alternative Contracting Methods subdivision at 137-049-0640 to 137-049-0660. For EPCs, if a Contracting Agency desires the Procurement process to be excepted from the competitive bidding requirements of ORS 279C.335, a Contracting Agency shall utilize the EPC RFP Procedure as further specified in OAR 137-049-0680(6) or, if the Contracting Agency is an Authorized State Agency, as defined in ORS 276.905(2), the Authorized State Agency may utilize the Non-Competitive Selection procedure specified in OAR 137-049-0680(7). The RFP process for the Alternative Contracting Methods identified in OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690 includes the following steps: (1) Proposal Evaluation. Factors in addition to price may be considered in the selection process, but only as set forth in the RFP. Proposal evaluation shall be as objective as possible. Evaluation factors need not be precise predictors of future costs and performance, but to the extent possible such evaluation factors shall: (a) Be reasonable estimates based on information available to the Contracting Agency; (b) Treat all Proposals equitably; and (c) Recognize that public policy requires that Public Improvements be constructed at the least overall cost to the Contracting Agency. See ORS 279C.305. For CM/GC Services Proposal evaluations, the Contracting Agency must comply with ORS 279C.337. (2) Evaluation Factors. (a) In basic negotiated construction contracting, where the only reason for an RFP is to consider factors other than price, those factors may consist of firm and personnel experience on similar projects, adequacy of equipment and physical plant, sources of supply, availability of key personnel, financial capacity, past performance, safety records, project understanding, proposed methods of construction, proposed milestone dates, references, service, and related matters that could affect the cost or quality of the Work. (b) In CM/GC contracting, in addition to (a) above, those factors may also include the ability to respond to the technical complexity or unique character of the project, analyze and propose solutions or approaches to complex project problems, analyze and propose value engineering options, analyze and propose energy efficiency measures or alternative energy options, coordinate multiple disciplines on the project, effectively utilize the time available to commence and complete the improvement, and related matters that could affect the cost or quality of the Work. (c) In Design-Build contracting, in addition to (a) and (b) above, those factors may also include design professional qualifications, specialized experience, preliminary design submittals, technical merit, design-builder team experience and related matters that could affect the cost or quality of the Work. (3) Contract Negotiations. Contract terms may be negotiated to the extent allowed by the RFP and OAR 137-049-0600 to 137-049-0690, provided that the general Work scope remains the same and that the field of competition does not change as a result of material changes to the requirements stated in the Solicitation Document. See 137-049-0650. Terms that may be negotiated consist of details of Contract performance, methods of construction, timing, assignment of risk in specified areas, fee, and other matters that could affect the cost or quality of the Work. For the CM/GC Method, terms that may be negotiated also include the specific scope of pre-construction services, the GC Work, any Early Work and other construction Work to be performed by the CM/GC, and any other terms that the Contracting Agency has identified as being subject to negotiation, consistent with the requirements of OAR 137-049-0690. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 279C.335 & 279A.065 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 279C.335, 279A.065 & 351.086 History: DOJ 1-2026, amend filed 01/21/2026, effective 01/21/2026 DOJ 2-2015, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-15 Reverted to DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06 DOJ 10-2014(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-14 thru 12-26-14 DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06 DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05