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Members,
I wanted to give you a brief update on the 2017 legislative session. AIA Arizona has started to build a coalition of other licensed professionals who can work together to fight any possible deregulation attacks on us. We meet at least once a month and thus far we have not seen any bills introduced that would result in deregulation. However, AIA Arizona will remain diligent in this pursuit.
As of this moment we're tracking several bills but two are consuming more of our focus. Contact me if you want a more in-depth update on everything we're tracking.
SB1188:
In a Qualification Based Selection (QBS) process, with state funds, SB1188 would no longer require the procurement agency to go with the highest qualified firm. Rather, 1188 would allow the state procurement agency to negotiate with the short list from the entire selected finalist in a QBS system.
During a Senate hearing on this bill last week the Committee Chairman compared hiring an Architect to the purchase of a refrigerator and I was offended. That's what we as Architects have to go up against at the Capital. The AIA is certainly opposed to SB1188 and fighting against this bill. You can read more on SB1188 here:
CALL TO ACTION: IF you or your firm work on any public projects and has familiarity with QBS you understand how critical we need to fight to protect the integrity of the selection process and also protect the taxpayers. I need you to take a moment today to email the following State Senators and ask them to oppose SB1188. You can copy and paste the same email for each one and keep it brief and at about three paragraphs. If one of them is your Senator - let them know that you are a constituent.
TALKING POINTS:
* Talk about how Architectural services are not commodities and it's not practical to bid down the lowest price. If you do QBS projects personalize this and explain briefly why bidding down services is near-sighted and a bad idea.
* Talk about how selecting the highest qualified firm consistently results in lower overall construction cost and time overruns which benefits the tax payer.
* And finally when an Architect enters into price negotiations, after being selected, a scope is rarely defined so its near impossible to adequately compare bid firms against one another as there is no provision to make sure we're comparing
apples to apples during procurement.
Sen Nancy Barto: [email protected]
Sonny Borrelli: [email protected]
Sean Bowie: [email protected]
Kate Brophy McGee: [email protected]
Lupe Contreras: [email protected]
Karen Fann: [email protected]
Katie Hobbs: [email protected]
Debbie Lesko: [email protected]
Lisa Otondo: [email protected]
Catherine Miranda: [email protected]
Frank Pratt: [email protected]
Bob Worsley: [email protected]
Steve Yarbrough: [email protected]
Kimberly Yee: [email protected]
HB2213:
We're working with a coalition from the development and finance communities to oppose 2213. This bill would effectively kill the GPELT economic development tools effectiveness in urban redevelopment. There is supposed to be stakeholder meetings to hash out issues and AIA Arizona will be at the table. At this moment I do not need any action from you on this.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.
John Glenn, AIA Gov't Affairs Chair
[email protected]
602.258.2211
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