[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 18, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44486-44490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17774]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

23 CFR Part 172

[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-98-4350]
RIN 2125-AE45


Administration of Engineering and Design Related Services 
Contracts

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA proposes to revise its regulation on the 
administration of engineering and design related services contracts in 
order to establish procedures to be followed when using Federal-aid 
highway funds for the procurement of engineering and design related 
services, materials, equipment, or supplies. The proposed regulation 
describes procurement methods contracting agencies are to use when 
acquiring these services or related items. This proposed rule 
implements 23 U.S.C. 112(b), as amended by section 307 of the National 
Highway System Designation Act of 1995 (NHS Act) and section 1205(a) of 
the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), by 
requiring States to award Federal-aid highway engineering and design 
service contracts: In accordance

[[Page 44487]]

with the provisions of title IX of the Federal Property and 
Administrative Services Act of 1949, or by use of equivalent State 
qualifications-based procedures unless a State has previously 
established by statute a formal procurement procedure for engineering 
and design related services.

DATES: Written comments are due on or before September 18, 2000. 
Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent 
practicable.

ADDRESSES: Signed written comments should refer to the docket number 
that appears at the top of this document and should be submitted to the 
Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received will be available for 
examination at the above address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring 
notifications of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed, 
stamped envelope or postcard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gary E. Moss, Office of Program 
Administration, (HIPA-10), (202)-366-4654, or Mr. Steven Rochlis, 
Office of the Chief Counsel, (HCC-30), (202)-366-1395, FHWA, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 
a.m. to 4:15 p.m. e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    Internet users may access all comments received by the U.S. DOT 
Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resources locator (URL): 
http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each 
year. Please follow instructions online for more information and help.
    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem 
and suitable communications software from the Government Printing 
Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet 
users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's home page at 
http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and at the Government Printing Office's web 
page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

    The FHWA's regulation on the administration of engineering and 
design related services contracts, 23 CFR part 172, draws its authority 
from 23 U.S.C. 112. Title 23, U.S.C., section 112 references the 
provisions of title IX of the Federal Property and Administrative 
Services Act of 1949 (Pub. L. 92-582, 86 Stat. 1278 (1972); 40 U.S.C. 
541, et seq.) which provides the qualifications-based procedures to be 
followed for the selection of engineering and design related services. 
Section 307 of the NHS Act, Public Law 104-59, 109 Stat. 568, modified 
23 U.S.C. 112 by requiring grantees of Federal highway funds to accept 
indirect cost rates for architectural and engineering firms which are 
established in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations 
(FAR) and accepted by a cognizant Federal or State agency if such rates 
are not under dispute. The law also specifies that once a firm's 
indirect cost rate is accepted, the grantee shall apply those indirect 
cost rates for the purposes of contract estimation, negotiation, 
administration, reporting, and contract payment. The NHS Act also 
provided a period of time in which State Departments of Transportation 
(State DOTs) could adopt statutes to allow use of alternate State 
procedures other than those provided for in the NHS Act.
    Section 1205 of TEA-21, Public Law 105-178, 112 Stat. 107 (1998), 
further modified 23 U.S.C. 112(b) by removing the provision allowing 
State DOTs to adopt alternate procedures for the procurement of design 
and engineering consultants.
    The changes made to 23 U.S.C. 112(b) by these two laws, as well as 
provisions in 23 U.S.C. 106(c) relating to the assumption by the State 
of responsibilities of the Secretary for project design and 
construction, require the FHWA to modify 23 CFR part 172, subpart A--
Procurement Procedures. In addition, the FHWA proposes to add several 
new terms to the definition section to clarify existing terms used in 
the regulation.
    The small purchase procedures section would be revised by raising 
the maximum value for small purchases from $25,000 to $100,000.
    The references to Certification Acceptance (CA), and Sec. 172.15, 
Alternate Procedures, which were incorporated into 23 CFR part 172 to 
implement Certification Acceptance, would be removed since 
Certification Acceptance was repealed by section 1601 of the TEA-21.
    Reference to the Secondary Road Plan (SRP) and the Combined Road 
Plan (CRP) demonstration project, would be removed since these programs 
are no longer being funded.

Section-by-Section Analysis

Section 172.1  Purpose and Applicability

    The statement of purpose and applicability would be revised to 
remove the references to the Certification Acceptance Plans that were 
repealed by the TEA-21; to remove an obsolete reference to the 
Secondary Road Plans; and to remove the reference to Combined Road 
Plans because the Secondary and Combined Road programs are no longer 
being funded. Additionally, paragraph (b) would be revised to limit the 
use of State statutes for an alternate procedure to those enacted into 
law before June 9, 1998 (the date the TEA-21 was enacted) and 
redesignated as Sec. 172.5(b).

Section 172.3  Definitions

    The term ``cognizant agency'' would be added to the list of 
definitions to mean any Federal or State agency that has conducted and 
issued an audit report of the consultant's indirect cost rate that has 
been developed in accordance with the cost principles contained in the 
Federal Acquisition Regulations (title 48, Code of Federal 
Regulations). This term was used in section 307(a) of the NHS Act. The 
term ``competitive negotiation'' would be revised to prohibit the use 
of procurement procedures enacted into State law after the enactment of 
TEA-21 (June 9, 1998). The terms ``contract modification,'' ``extra 
work,'' ``fixed fee,'' ``prenegotiation audit,'' and ``scope of work'' 
would be removed since they would not be used in the new regulation.

Section 172.5  General Principles

    This section, with the exception of paragraphs (b) and (e) would be 
removed. The material that was covered in Sec. 172.5 is either covered 
by other regulations or is not required by law. The provisions of 
paragraph (a) need for consultant services in management roles are 
still required to be consistent with 49 CFR 18.36(a) which requires 
States to use the same procurement procedures as if they were procuring 
with State funds, except where such procedures are inconsistent with 
Federal statute requirements (see 49 CFR 18.4). In addition, States 
would still have to meet the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 112(b)(2) that 
require a State to award architectural and engineering contracts 
relating to highway construction in the same manner as a contract for 
architectural and engineering services is negotiated under the Brooks 
Architects-Engineering Act (title IX of the Federal Property and 
Administrative Services

[[Page 44488]]

Act of 1949, as amended; 40 U.S.C 541-544) , or equivalent State based 
qualifications requirements. Alternatively, prior to TEA-21, the 
Congress authorized a State to adopt a formal procedure for procurement 
of architectural and engineering services adopted by State statute (23 
U.S.C. 112(b)(2)(B)(ii)).
    Paragraph (b), written procedures, would be redesignated as 
Sec. 172.9(a).
    The provisions of paragraph (c) are still required to be consistent 
with 49 CFR 18.36(a) which requires States to use the same procurement 
procedures as if they were procuring with State funds, except where 
such procedures are inconsistent with Federal statutory requirements 
(see 49 CFR 18.4).
    The provisions of paragraph (d) are still required to be consistent 
with 49 CFR 18.36 and 18.37, except where such procedures are 
inconsistent with Federal statutory requirements (see 49 CFR 18.4). 
But, as stated in the comments for Sec. 172.5(a), State and local 
agencies must meet the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 112(b)(2).
    The requirements of paragraph (e), the Disadvantaged Business 
Enterprise program, are specified under 49 CFR part 26. Paragraph (e), 
is redesignated as paragraph (b).
    The requirements of paragraph (f), Contractual responsibilities, 
are still required to be consistent with 49 CFR 18.36(a) which requires 
States to use the same procurement procedures as if they were procuring 
with State funds, except where such procedures are inconsistent with 
Federal statutory requirements (see 49 CFR 18.4). Because States would 
be responsible for approving contracts and settlements, provided such 
contracts and settlements follow the same policies and procedures as 
the State would follow using State funds, there would no longer be a 
requirement that such settlements be approved by the FHWA, except for 
settlements on contracts requiring approval under proposal Sec. 172.9.

Section 172.7  Methods of Procurement

    This section would be redesignated as Sec. 172.5 and revised. This 
section generally covers the methods that can be used for procurement 
of design engineering services. Those same methods are still in the 
regulations, but have been simplified. The small purchase section would 
be revised by raising the maximum amount for procurement by small 
purchase procedures from $25,000 to $100,000 to conform to the 
simplified acquisition threshold set in 41 U.S.C. 403(11) and 49 CFR 
18.36(d). The threshold has already been raised from $25,000 to 
$100,000 by FHWA memorandum dated June 26, 1996, from the Director, 
Office of Engineering to the FHWA Regional Administrators to implement 
the change in the final rule published in the Federal Register of April 
19, 1995 (60 FR 19646) concerning 49 CFR part 18 and the change to 41 
U.S.C. 403(11), which defines the ``simplified acquisition threshold'' 
to mean $100,000.

Section 172.9  Compensation

    The information in paragraph (a) of this section would be 
transferred to a new paragraph (a) in Sec. 172.7, Audit Principles, and 
revised to prohibit procedures enacted into State law after June 9, 
1998 (TEA-21). Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) would be removed.

Section 172.11  Contract Modification

    This section would be removed to promote uniformity with the common 
grant rule, 49 CFR part 18. The requirements of this section would in 
general be addressed by 49 CFR 18.36 and 18.52.

Section 172.13  Monitoring the Contract Work

    This section would be removed to promote uniformity with the common 
grant rule, 49 CFR part 18. The requirements of this section would be 
covered by 49 CFR 18.36 which generally involve State procedures.

Section 172.15  Alternate Procedures

    This section would be removed as it implemented 23 U.S.C. 117, 
Certification Acceptance, which was repealed by section 1601 of the 
TEA-21 in 1998.

Sections 172.21, 172.23, and 172.25 of Subpart B

    Subpart B, Private sector involvement program, would be removed. 
This section was developed to meet the requirements of the Intermodel 
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), Public Law 102-
240, 105 Stat. 1914, section 1060, Private sector involvement program, 
but has never been funded.
    For ease of reference the following distribution table is provided:

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                Old section                          New section
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172.1(a)..................................  172.1 Revised.
172.1(b)..................................  172.1 Revised and 172.5(b)
                                             Revised.
172.3.....................................  172.3 Revised.
Cognizant agency..........................  Added.
Competitive negotiation...................  Revised.
Contract modification.....................  Removed.
Extra work................................  Removed.
Fixed fee.................................  Removed.
Prenegotiation audit......................  Removed.
Scope of work.............................  Removed.
172.5(a)..................................  Removed.
172.5(b)..................................  172.9(a).
172.5(c)..................................  Removed.
172.5(d)..................................  Removed.
172.5(e)..................................  172.5(b) Revised.
172.5(f)..................................  Removed.
172.7 introductory paragraph..............  172.5 introductory paragraph
                                             revised and 172.5(a)(1)
                                             Revised.
172.7(a)..................................  172.5(a)(1) Revised.
172.7(a)(3)(ii)(B)........................  172.5(a)(2) Revised.
172.7(b)..................................  172.5(a)(4) Revised.
172.7(c)..................................  172.5(a)(3) Revised.
172.7(c)(1)...............................  172.5(a)(3) Revised.
172.7(c)(1)(i)............................  172.5(a)(3)(i) Revised.
172.7(c)(1)(ii)...........................  172.5(a)(3)(ii) Revised.
172.7(c)(1)(iii)..........................  172.5(a)(3)(iii) Revised.
172.7(c)(2)...............................  Removed.
None......................................  172.7(b) Added.
None......................................  172.7(c) Added.
None......................................  172.7(d) Added.
72.9(a)...................................  172.7(a) Revised.
172.9(b), (c), and (d)....................  Removed.
None......................................  172.9(a), (b), (c) Added.
172.11....................................  Removed.
172.13....................................  Removed.
172.15....................................  Removed.
172 Subpart B.............................  Removed.
172.21....................................  Removed.
172.23....................................  Removed.
172.25....................................  Removed.
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Rulemaking Analysis and Notices

    All comments received before the close of business on the comment 
closing date indicated above will be considered and will be available 
for examination in the docket at the above address. Comments received 
after the comment closing date will be filed in the docket and will be 
considered to the extent practicable, but the FHWA may issue a final 
rule at any time after the close of the comment period. In addition to 
the late comments, the FHWA will also continue to file relevant 
information in the docket as it becomes available after the comment 
closing date, and interested persons should continue to examine the 
docket for new material.

Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    The FHWA has determined that this action is not a significant 
regulatory action within the meaning of Executive Order 12866 or 
significant within the meaning of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's regulatory policies and procedures. This proposed 
action would

[[Page 44489]]

not adversely affect, in a material way, any sector of the economy. In 
addition, these proposed changes would not interfere with any action 
taken or planned by another agency and would not materially alter the 
budgetary impact of any entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan 
programs. This rulemaking merely proposes to amend current regulations 
governing the administration of engineering and design related services 
contracts based on changes in law. It is not anticipated that these 
proposed changes would affect the total Federal funding available under 
the engineering and design related services contracts. Consequently, it 
is anticipated that the economic impact of this rulemaking would be 
minimal; therefore, a full regulatory evaluation is not required.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-
612), the FHWA has evaluated the anticipated effects of this proposed 
rule on small entities, such as local governments and businesses. Based 
on the evaluation, the FHWA hereby certifies that this proposed action 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.
    Essentially, this rulemaking proposes to implement certain changes 
in 23 U.S.C. 112 as mandated by recent laws. The rulemaking would 
eliminate sections that were removed by the recent laws and other 
sections that were not required directly by law or that were outdated. 
Thus, the projected impact upon the small entities affected is expected 
to be negligible because the FHWA merely proposes to update, simplify, 
and clarify existing procedures. We specifically invite comments on the 
projected economic impact of this proposal and would consider such 
information before completing our Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis 
when adopting final rules.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This proposed rule will not impose a Federal mandate resulting in 
the expenditure by State, Local, and tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one 
year (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    The proposed action has been analyzed in accordance with the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132, dated 
August 4, 1999, and it has been determined that this proposed action 
does not have a substantial direct affect or sufficient federalism 
implications on States that would limit the policymaking discretion of 
the States. Nothing in this document directly preempts any State Law or 
regulation.

Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review)

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed action does not contain a collection of information 
requirement for the purpose of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3520.

National Environmental Policy Act

    The agency has analyzed this proposed action for the purpose of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) and has 
determined that this action would not have any effect on the quality of 
the environment.

Executive Order 12630 (Taking of Private Property)

    This proposed rule will not affect a taking of private property or 
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights.

Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This proposed action meets applicable standards in section 3(a) and 
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize 
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children)

    We have analyzed this proposed action under Executive Order 13045, 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks. This proposed rule is not an economically significant rule and 
does not concern an environmental risk to health or safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

Regulation Identification Number

    A regulation identification number (RIN) is assigned to each 
regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. 
The Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda 
in April and October of each year. The RIN number contained in the 
heading of this document can be used to cross reference this action 
with the Unified Agenda.

List of Subjects in 23 CFR Part 172

    Government procurement, Grant programs--transportation, Highways 
and roads.

    Issued on: June 26, 2000.
Kenneth R. Wykle,
Federal Highway Administrator.
    In consideration of the foregoing, the FHWA proposes to revise part 
172 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations to read as set forth 
below:

PART 172--ADMINISTRATION OF ENGINEERING AND DESIGN RELATED SERVICE 
CONTRACTS

Sec.
172.1   Purpose and applicability.
172.3   Definitions.
172.5   Methods of procurement.
172.7   Audit principles.
172.9   Approvals.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 112, 114(a), 302, 315, and 402; 40 U.S.C. 
541 et seq.; 41 U.S.C. 253 and 259; sec. 1205(a), Pub L. 105-178, 
112 Stat. 107 (1998); sec. 307, Pub. L. 104-59, 109 Stat. 568 
(1995); sec. 1060, Pub. L. 102-240, 105 Stat. 1914, 2003 (1991); 48 
CFR 12 and 31; 49 CFR 1.48(b) and 18.


Sec. 172.1  Purpose and applicability.

    To prescribe policies and procedures for exceptions to the general 
contracting regulations under the common grant rule, 49 CFR part 18. It 
is not the intent of this regulation to release the grantee from the 
other requirements of the common rule. The exceptions involve federally 
funded contracts for engineering and design related services for 
projects subject to the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 112(a) and are issued 
to ensure that a qualified consultant is obtained through an equitable 
selection process, that prescribed work is properly accomplished in a 
timely manner, and at fair and reasonable cost.


Sec. 172.3  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    Cognizant agency means any Federal or State agency that has 
conducted and issued an audit report of the consultant's indirect cost 
rate that has been developed in accordance with the cost principles 
contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
    Competitive negotiation means any form of negotiations that 
utilizes the following;
    (1) Qualifications-based procedures complying with title IX of the 
Federal Property and Administrative Services

[[Page 44490]]

Act of 1949 (Pub. L. 92-582, 86 Stat. 1278 (1972));
    (2) Equivalent State qualifications-based procedures; or
    (3) A formal procedure permitted by State statute that was enacted 
into State law prior to the enactment of Public Law 105-178 (TEA-21) on 
June 9, 1998.
    Consultant means the individual or firm providing engineering and 
design related services as a party to the contract.
    Contracting agencies means State Departments of Transportation 
(State DOTs) or local governmental agencies that are responsible for 
the procurement of engineering and design services.
    Engineering and design services means program management, 
construction management, feasibility studies, preliminary engineering, 
design, engineering, surveying, mapping, or architectural related 
services with respect to a construction project subject to 23 U.S.C. 
112(a).
    Private sector engineering and design firms means any individual or 
private firm (including small business concerns and small businesses 
owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged 
individuals as defined in 49 CFR part 26) contracting with a State to 
provide engineering and design services.


Sec. 172.5  Methods of procurement.

    (a) Procurement. The procurement of Federal-aid highway contracts 
for program management, construction management, feasibility studies, 
preliminary engineering, design, engineering, surveying, mapping, and 
architectural related services as specified in 23 U.S.C. 112(b)(2) 
shall be evaluated and ranked by the contracting agency using one of 
the following procedures:
    (1) Competitive negotiation. Contracting agencies shall use 
competitive negotiation for the procurement of engineering and design 
related services when Federal-aid highway funds are involved in the 
contract. These contracts shall use qualifications-based selection 
procedures in the same manner as a contract for architectural and 
engineering services is negotiated under title IX of the Federal 
Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 541-544) or 
equivalent State qualifications-based requirements. The proposal 
solicitation (project, task, or service) process shall be by public 
announcement/advertisement or any other method that assures qualified 
in-State and out-of-State consultants/firms are given fair opportunity 
to be awarded the contract.
    (2) State statutory procedures. States may procure engineering and 
design related services using a different selection procedure as long 
as these procedures are established in State statutes and the State 
statutes were enacted into law before June 9, 1998.
    (3) Noncompetitive negotiation. Noncompetitive negotiation may be 
used to procure engineering and design related services on Federal-aid 
participating contracts when it is not feasible to award the contract 
using competitive negotiation or equivalent State qualifications-based 
procedures. Contracting agencies shall submit justification and receive 
approval from the FHWA before using this form of contracting. 
Circumstances under which a contract may be awarded by noncompetitive 
negotiation are limited to the following:
    (i) The service is available only from a single source;
    (ii) There is an emergency which will not permit the time necessary 
to conduct competitive negotiations; or
    (iii) After solicitation of a number of sources responding is 
determined to be inadequate.
    (4) Small purchases. Contracting agencies may use small purchase 
procedures for the procurement of engineering and design related 
services when the contract costs do not exceed $100,000.
    (b) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. The 
contracting agency shall give consideration to DBE firms in the 
procurement of engineering and design related service contracts subject 
to 23 U.S.C. 112(b)(2) in accordance with 49 CFR part 26.


Sec. 172.7  Audit principles.

    (a) Performance of audits. When contracts or subcontracts awarded 
in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 112(b)(2)(A) are audited, the audits shall 
comply with the cost principles contained in the Federal Acquisition 
Regulations provided at 48 CFR part 31. Other procedures may be used if 
permitted by State statutes that were enacted into law prior to June 9, 
1998.
    (b) Audits for indirect cost rate. Contracting agencies shall use 
the indirect cost rate established by a cognizant agency audit for the 
consultant, if such rates are not under dispute. The grantee shall 
apply these indirect cost rates for the purposes of contract 
estimation, negotiation, administration, reporting, and contract 
payment and the indirect cost rates shall not be limited by any 
administrative ceilings. The cost rates have a one-year applicability 
period. Other procedures may be used if permitted by State statutes 
that were enacted into law prior to June 9, 1998.
    (c) Disputed audits. When the indirect cost rate(s) as established 
by the cognizant audit in paragraph (b) of this section are in dispute, 
then the parties of any proposed new contract must negotiate a 
provisional indirect cost rate or perform an independent audit to 
establish a rate for the specific contract.
    (d) Prenotification; confidentiality of data. Only the FHWA and 
recipients and sub-recipients of Federal-aid highway funds may share 
the audit information, provided that the firm is given notice of such 
use. Audit information shall not be provided to other firms or any 
other government agencies without the written permission of the 
affected firms, unless otherwise required by Federal law, regulation, 
or pursuant to court order.


Sec. 172.9  Approvals.

    (a) Written procedures. The contracting agency shall prepare 
written procedures for each method of procurement it proposes to 
utilize. These procedures and all revisions shall be approved by the 
FHWA and describe, as appropriate to the particular method of 
procurement, each step used:
    (1) In preparing a scope of work, evaluation factors and cost 
estimate for selecting a consultant,
    (2) In soliciting proposals from prospective consultants,
    (3) In the evaluation of proposals and the ranking/selection of a 
consultant,
    (4) In negotiation of the reimbursement to be paid to the selected 
consultant,
    (5) In monitoring the consultant's work and in preparing a 
consultant's performance evaluation when completed, and
    (6) In determining the extent to which the consultant, who is 
responsible for the professional quality, technical accuracy, and 
coordination of services, may be reasonably liable for costs resulting 
from errors or deficiencies in design furnished under its contract.
    (b) Contracts. Contracts and contract settlements involving design 
services for projects that have not been delegated to the State under 
23 U.S.C. 106(c) or that do not fall under the small purchase 
procedures in Sec. 172.5(a)(4) shall be submitted to the FHWA for 
approval.
    (c) Major projects. Any contract, revision of a contract or 
settlement of a contract for design services for a project that is 
expected to fall under 23 U.S.C. 106(h) shall be submitted to the FHWA 
for approval.

[FR Doc. 00-17774 Filed 7-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P