§290. Requirements of consultants

A. Preconstruction or construction services consultant engineering firms shall meet the following requirements to be considered for employment by the department:

(1) At least one principal of a firm under consideration shall be a registered professional engineer in the state of Louisiana.

At least one principal or other responsible member shall be currently registered in Louisiana as a professional engineer in the major discipline required for the project. In the case of a land surveying contract, one principal or responsible member shall be currently registered as a professional land surveyor in Louisiana.

(2) At least one principal or responsible member shall have had a minimum of five years experience in responsible charge of the engineering field or fields involved.

B. To be considered for employment for planning, or environmental studies, a consulting firm must meet the following requirements:

(1) At least one of the principals of the firm shall be professionally competent in the field or fields of expertise required for the project.

(2) At least one principal or responsible member of the firm shall have had a minimum of five years experience in responsible charge of or major expertise in the field or fields involved.

C. Requirements or considerations for consultants for preconstruction or construction services and planning, environmental or research studies are, as follows:

(1) Special qualifications to meet particular project needs may be established by the department. These qualifications shall be published in the advertisement for consultant services if established.

(2) A minimum manpower requirement shall be published in the advertisement for consultant services where appropriate.

(3) The department will not consider joint ventures for consulting services, except in rare cases and only after written justification.

D. Sub-consultants providing engineering or land surveying services are bound by the requirements for consultants. Sub-consultants providing other than engineering or land surveying services must demonstrate that qualified personnel are in responsible charge. All sub-consultants are subject to department approval, either at the time of selection or thereafter.

E. Firms may be disqualified from being selected when such firm:

(1) Has received a letter stating that the firm is significantly behind the approved time schedule for completion of any phase of an existing contract with the department.

(2) Has a record of unsatisfactory performance on department projects.

Acts 1991, No. 784, §1; Acts 2009, No. 255, §1, eff. July 1, 2009.