Opinion ID: 1365643
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Procurement of Architect-Engineer Services

Text: As with the bidding statute, the circuit court determined that the Foundation's involvement prevented the provisions of West Virginia Code §§ 5G-1-1 to -4 from applying. Consistent with our discussion of the application of the bidding statute to a state agency, we conclude that the procurement provisions concerning architectural and engineering services will apply if WVU or some other state agency is intimately involved in the construction process. Accordingly, to determine whether the State or its agencies is involved in a construction project sufficient to invoke the provisions of West Virginia Code § 5G-1-3 governing the procurement of architectural and engineering services, a trial court should examine: (1) whether the State or its agency initiated the construction project; (2) the extent of control retained by the State or its agency during the development and construction phases; (3) the extent to which the project will be used for a public purpose; (4) whether public funds are used either directly for the costs of construction or indirectly by means of a lease arrangement which contemplates payments essentially covering the amount of the construction; and (5) all other relevant factors bearing on the issue of whether the construction is properly viewed as government construction.