By John Boling
On May 13, 2025, the New York State Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions unanimously approved legislation that would expand the use of qualifications-based selection (QBS) for the procurement of architectural, engineering, and design professionals.
Earlier this month, on May 7, IIBEC Executive Vice President and CEO Brian Pallasch joined with IIBEC Metro New York Chapter President Hugo Ramirez in a letter to state senator Leroy Comrie Jr., the bill’s sponsor, endorsing the legislation. The letter, which outlined why selecting design professionals via QBS is good public policy, was sent to each committee member.
Pallasch thanked Ramirez for co-signing the letter. “The IIBEC Metro New York Chapter has a reputation for well-conceived policy positions, and it has a cadre of active members—a reputation that carries all the way to the state capital in Albany. Having Hugo on the letter helped drive home that QBS is supported by IIBEC at the national level and also at the local level—a great message to send to elected officials.” Regarding QBS, Pallasch stated, “IIBEC members benefit when their design services are procured based on how well their qualifications match the needs of the project, QBS has a 50 plus year history of delivering successful projects.”
Specifically, S. 4577 requires public authorities to negotiate with the most qualified architectural, engineering, geological, landscape architectural and/or surveying professional firms before negotiating with other firms. New York currently has robust QBS requirements, but S. 4577 would decrease the cost threshold to $25,000 and expand its use. The bill now heads to the Senate Procurement and Contracts Committee for consideration. The companion bill, A. 5520, sponsored by Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman, is waiting to be considered by the assembly’s Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions.
The New York legislature’s legislative session is scheduled to end June 13, leaving little time for the sponsors to move their bills through each chamber and get them to the governor’s desk for final approval.
