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A.1. The engineer’s services are professional services and as such, do not need to be let out for bid under the Public Bid Law. It is recommended that the entity follow an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) or RFP (Request for Proposals) process and select the engineer that best meets the nature of the project’s needs (i.e., the “most advantageous” to the public entity). Price is one consideration when evaluating RFQs or RFPs, but not the only consideration.
A.2. Even though the professional services for a public works project do not need to be let out for bid, to determine whether the public bid threshold is met, the entity should calculate the total cost of the project including professional services. That is: the current threshold is $250,000. If the construction part of the project is $150,000 and the engineer’s services are $5,000, then the total cost of the project is $155,000 and the project does not need to be let out for bid; if, on the other hand, the construction part of the project is $240,000 and the engineer’s services are $20,000, the total cost of the project is $260,000 and the project must be let out for bid.
Louisiana Legislative Auditor website: 04/10/2026 07:21:35 AM
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