A. Except for road and highway construction or reconstruction projects, a design and build project delivery system may be authorized when the state purchasing agent or a central purchasing office makes a determination in writing that it is appropriate and in the best interest of the state or local public body to use the system on a specific project.

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The determination shall be issued only after the state purchasing agent or a central purchasing office has taken into consideration the following criteria, which shall be used as the minimum basis in determining when to use the design and build process:

(1)     the extent to which the project requirements have been or can be adequately defined;

(2)     time constraints for delivery of the project;

(3)     the capability and experience of potential teams with the design and build process;

(4)     the suitability of the project for use of the design and build process as concerns time, schedule, costs and quality; and

(5)     the capability of the using agency to manage the project, including experienced personnel or outside consultants, and to oversee the project with persons who are familiar with the design and build process.

B. When a determination has been made by the state purchasing agent or a central purchasing office that it is appropriate to use a design and build project delivery system, the design and build team shall include, as needed, a New Mexico registered engineer or architect and a contractor properly licensed in New Mexico for the type of work required.

C. Except as provided in Subsections F and G of this section, for each proposed state or local public works design and build project, a two-phase procedure for awarding design and build contracts shall be adopted and shall include at a minimum the following:

(1)     during phase one, and prior to solicitation, documents shall be prepared for a request for qualifications by a registered engineer or architect, either in-house or selected in accordance with Sections 13-1-120 through 13-1-124 N.M. Stat. Ann., and shall include minimum qualifications, a scope of work statement and schedule, documents defining the project requirements, the composition of the selection committee and a description of the phase-two requirements and subsequent management needed to bring the project to completion. Design and build qualifications of responding firms shall be evaluated, and a maximum of five firms shall be short-listed in accordance with technical and qualifications-based criteria; and

(2)     during phase two, the short-listed firms shall be invited to submit detailed specific technical concepts or solutions, costs and scheduling. Unsuccessful firms may be paid a stipend to cover proposal expenses. After evaluation of these submissions, selection shall be made and the contract awarded to the highest-ranked firm.

D. Except as provided in Subsections F and G of this section, to ensure fair, uniform, clear and effective procedures that will strive for the delivery of a quality project on time and within budget, the secretary, in conjunction with the appropriate and affected professional associations and contractors, shall promulgate rules applicable to all using agencies, which shall be followed by all using agencies when procuring a design and build project delivery system.

E. A state agency shall make the decision on a design and build project delivery system for a state public works project, and a local public body shall make that decision for a local public works project. A state agency shall not make the decision on a design and build project delivery system for a local public works project.

F. The requirements of Subsections C and D of this section do not apply to a design and build project delivery system and the services procured for the project if:

(1)     the maximum allowable construction cost of the project is four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) or less; and

(2)     the only requirement for architects, engineers, landscape architects or surveyors is limited to either site improvements or adaption for a pre-engineered building or system.

G. The procurement of a design and build project delivery system qualifying for exemptions pursuant to Subsection F of this section, including the services of any architect, engineer, landscape architect, construction manager or surveyor needed for the project, shall be accomplished by competitive sealed bids pursuant to Sections 13- 1-102 through 13-1-110 N.M. Stat. Ann..