Commission approves FY27–29 professional engineering and architecture services pool

The Brainerd Public Utilities Commission on April 28 approved staff’s recommended FY2027–2029 professional engineering and architecture services pool and authorized staff to enter into master services agreements with selected consultants.

Staff reported they solicited proposals and received 33 submissions; a scoring committee evaluated proposals based on experience, team members, QA/QC, approach and later evaluated fee schedules to finalize selections and maintain a minimum of three consultants per service category where possible. Paul said the pool will expedite entering into professional services agreements and allow task-order contracting for projects estimated under a $500,000 professional-services fee cap.

Commissioners asked whether consultants must notify the city of fee changes; staff said consultants were asked to estimate 2027 fees now and will be asked annually to submit updated fee schedules. Commissioners also raised how the city would handle consultants that consistently decline task orders; staff said they would review status during the next pool solicitation and could question whether the consultant should propose again.

Next steps: If approved by allied boards (the park board at its afternoon meeting) and the city council in their respective processes, staff will execute master services agreements and administer task orders for smaller projects and formal contracts for larger work.