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19 | Page <br /> <br />Professional Service & Consultant Contracts <br />Purpose <br />Purchases that require contracting for professional services, such as those provided by engineers, <br />lawyers, architects, accountants, and other services requiring technical, scientific, or other <br />professional training, when competitive bidding is not required <br /> <br />Policy <br />The term “Professional Services” applies to all advisory services such as, but not limited to: <br />auditing, engineering, financial, legal, personnel, technical, training, or other services requiring <br />technical, scientific or professional training are exempt from competitive bidding requirements. <br />However, the goals to secure professional services remain the same: to ensure all purchases <br />are consistent with Minnesota statutes, to establish internal controls, to maintain the appropriate <br />documentation, and to ensure the best value for the public money. Contracts for professional <br />services shall be made only with responsible consultants who have the capability to successfully <br />fulfill the contractual requirements. Consideration shall be given to their past performance and <br />experience, their financial capacity to complete the project, the availability of personnel, and <br />other appropriate criteria. Each department requiring professional services shall be responsible <br />for researching such services as well as presenting the proposed contract to the City Council for <br />approval. The nature of the professional service is written as a request for proposals (RFP). <br />Contracts for professional services in excess of State Statute (MSS 471.345) shall be submitted <br />to the City Council for approval. <br /> <br />State Statue does not require advertisement of bids or sealed bids for professional services such <br />as those of engineers, lawyers, architects, accountants, and other services requiring technical, <br />scientific, or professional training. It is recommended that proposals be obtained through a request <br />for proposal (RFP) process when such a process would provide the City with increased quality or a <br />decreased price. <br /> <br />Procedures <br />Professional services are those that require specialized intellectual, educational, or creative <br />expertise. Examples include design services, editorial services, technology related services, <br />research services, and consultants. <br />Construction Professional Services are those that require architecture/engineering (A & E) <br />services, construction consulting, construction and material testing, or construction expertise. <br />Examples include architectural design, interior design, engineering, cost control consulting, and <br />construction management. <br />Units may purchase these professional services on an intermittent or temporary basis. The <br />following are examples of why professional services may be needed: <br />• limited or one-time use of specialized or creative skills; <br />• the provider has expertise that is not available within the unit or City’s; or <br />• the supplier has in depth knowledge of the marketplace to provide solutions or guidance. <br />Professional services for auditing, architectural design, legal services and construction project <br />management require a contract at any dollar amount.