CHAPTER 10. Contracts with Private Architects, Engineering, Land Surveying, and Construction Project Management Firms [4525. - 4529.5.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 10.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 4525. Section 4525.

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meaning: (a) “Firm” means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, environmental services, land surveying, or construction project management. (b) “State agency head” means the secretary, administrator, or head of a department, agency, or bureau of the State of California authorized to contract for architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental, land surveying, and construction project management services. (c) “Local agency head” means the secretary, administrator, or head of a department, agency, or bureau of any city, county, city and county, whether general law or chartered, or any district which is authorized to contract for architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental, land surveying, and construction project management services. (d) “Architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental, and land surveying services” includes those professional services of an architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental, or land surveying nature as well as incidental services that members of these professions and those in their employ may logically or justifiably perform. (e) “Construction project management” means those services provided by a licensed architect, registered engineer, or licensed general contractor which meet the requirements of Section 4529.5 for management and supervision of work performed on state construction projects. (f) “Environmental services” means those services performed in connection with project development and permit processing in order to comply with federal and state environmental laws. “Environmental services” also includes the processing and awarding of claims pursuant to Chapter 6.75 (commencing with Section 25299.10) of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 4526. Section 4526.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, selection by a state or local agency head for professional services of private architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental, land surveying, or construction project management firms shall be on the basis of demonstrated competence and on the professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services required. In order to implement this method of selection, state agency heads contracting for private architectural, landscape architectural, professional engineering, environmental, land surveying, and construction project management services shall adopt by regulation, and local agency heads contracting for private architectural, landscape architectural, professional engineering, environmental, land surveying, and construction project management services may adopt by ordinance, procedures that assure that these services are engaged on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications for the types of services to be performed and at fair and reasonable prices to the public agencies. Furthermore, these procedures shall assure maximum participation of small business firms, as defined by the Director of General Services pursuant to Section 14837. In addition, these procedures shall specifically prohibit practices which might result in unlawful activity including, but not limited to, rebates, kickbacks, or other unlawful consideration, and shall specifically prohibit government agency employees from participating in the selection process when those employees have a relationship with a person or business entity seeking a contract under this section which would subject those employees to the prohibition of Section 87100.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 4526.5. Section 4526.5.

A state agency head entering into a contract pursuant to this chapter shall, in addition to any other applicable statute or regulation, also follow Section 6106 of the Public Contract Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 4527. Section 4527.

In the procurement of architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental, land surveying, and construction project management services, the state agency head shall encourage firms engaged in the lawful practice of their profession to submit annually a statement of qualifications and performance data. (a) When the selection is by a state agency head, statewide announcement of all projects requiring architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental, land surveying, or construction project management services shall be made by the agency head through publications of the respective professional societies. The agency head, for each proposed project, shall evaluate current statements of qualifications and performance data on file with the agency, together with those that may be submitted by other firms regarding the proposed project, and shall conduct discussions with no less than three firms regarding anticipated concepts and the relative utility of alternative methods of approach for furnishing the required services and then shall select therefrom, in order of preference, based upon criteria established and published by him or her, no less than three of the firms deemed to be the most highly qualified to provide the services required. (b) When the selection is by a local agency head, the agency head may undertake the procedures described in subdivision (a). In addition, these procedures shall specifically prohibit practices which might result in unlawful activity including, but not limited to, rebates, kickbacks, or other unlawful consideration, and shall specifically prohibit government agency employees from participating in the selection process when these employees have a relationship with a person or business entity seeking a contract under this section.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 4528. Section 4528.

(a) When the selection is by a state agency head the following procedures shall apply: (1) The state agency head shall negotiate a contract with the best qualified firm for architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental, land surveying, and construction project management services at compensation which the state agency head determines is fair and reasonable to the State of California or the political subdivision involved. (2) Should the state agency head be unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with the firm considered to be the most qualified, at a price the agency head determines to be fair and reasonable to the State of California or the political subdivision involved, negotiations with that firm shall be formally terminated. The state agency head shall then undertake negotiations with the second most qualified firm. Failing accord with the second most qualified firm, the state agency head shall terminate negotiations. The state agency head shall then undertake negotiations with the third most qualified firm. (3) Should the state agency head be unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with any of the selected firms, the state agency head shall select additional firms in order of their competence and qualification and continue negotiations in accordance with this chapter until an agreement is reached. (b) When the selection is by a local agency head, the local agency head may undertake the procedures described in subdivision (a).

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 4529. Section 4529.

This chapter shall not apply where the state or local agency head determines that the services needed are more of a technical nature and involve little professional judgment and that requiring bids would be in the public interest.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 4529.5. Section 4529.5.

Any individual or firm proposing to provide construction project management services pursuant to this chapter shall provide evidence that the individual or firm and its personnel carrying out onsite responsibilities have expertise and experience in construction project design review and evaluation, construction mobilization and supervision, bid evaluation, project scheduling, cost-benefit analysis, claims review and negotiation, and general management and administration of a construction project.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026