The OAA recommends Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) for the competitive selection of architectural and engineering services. Under this procurement process, the most appropriate professional or firm is chosen entirely based on qualifications such as knowledge, skill, previous experience with broadly similar projects, and other project-specific factors like the quality of the proposed approach and ideas for the project, leaving fee considerations to be addressed through a negotiation.

The OAA advocates for a holistic understanding of qualifications that includes quality metrics as a current and forward-looking demonstration of a proponent’s qualifications. “Qualifications” based strictly on credentials and too narrowly defined “past performance” might lead to unintended consequences that further commodify procurement. What is desired is to support innovation based on a more holistic understanding of fit and may ultimately be the best solution for the public.

The OAA has now helped fund QBS Canada’s partnership with U.S. researchers to add Canadian QBS data to the 2022 update of a 2009 study.

“Updated Analysis of QBS in the Procurement of Consulting Services” also supported by Beyond Referrals and SAJO, marks the first time that Canadian QBS data was examined to assess the benefits this procurement practice has in the local context.