Qualifications-Based Selection

Researchers recently conducted an extensive survey of projects and analyzed the impact of QBS on project outcomes (Chinowsky and Kingsley 2009). Key findings of the study, quoted from it, are that QBS  

For clarity and perspective, note that the cited U.S. study was conducted at the request of the ACEC in cooperation with the APWA. Participation by ACEC does not necessarily question the study s objectivity but study users should be aware of the engineering consulting industry s involvement. 

To conclude this discussion of QBS, recall the previous chapter s mention of the U. S. Brooks Act, and versions of it in some states, which prohibit competitive bidding in the selection of engineering and similar professional service firms. These laws support QBS. However, many other local governmental units in the U.S. are able to use PBS as are private sector entities. Recognizing this, engineering and similar professional service firms explicitly or implicitly decide whether or not they will participate in QBS, PBS, or both. For firms that include PBS in their business strategy, the last major section of this chapter offers some thoughts about the costs, monetary and otherwise, that they are likely to incur. 

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Use Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) as opposed to Price-Based Selection (PBS). These two methods for selection of professional service firms are discussed in Chapter 14. I know this advice may seem self-serving coming from an independent consultant author. However, experience and studies (e.g., Chinowsky and Kingsley 2010) suggest that the extent of scope creep will be less with QBS than with... 

Chinowsky, P. S. and G. A. Kingsley. 2010. An Analysis of Issues Pertaining to Qualifications-Based Selection. American Coimcil of Engineering Companies (ACEQ and American Pubhe Works Association (APWA), Washington, DC and Kansas City, MO. 

The preceding discussion of cost competitiveness is not meant to encourage use of price (fee plus expenses) as a means of selecting consulting firms. The discussion simply recognizes that price-based selection (PBS) does occur and, when it does, is fraught with flaws such as erroneous assumptions about the meaning of the multiplier. Prudent selection of consultants, with emphasis on qualifications, that is qualifications-based selection (QBS), is discussed in Chapter 13. 

After defining consultant from an organizational and individual perspective and exploring reasons why consultants are retained, this chapter discusses the characteristics of successful consultants. The consultant selection process, which varies in complexity from extremely elaborate and costly to simple sole source selection, is described. It includes discussion of price-based selection (PBS) versus qualifications-based selection (QBS) of professional service firms and their impacts on clients, owners, customers, and stakeholders. A discussion of the negative impacts of PBS selection on consulting firms concludes the chapter. 

As part of operational management, a procedure should be developed for qualifying carriers. Carrier selection should include regulatory compliance, safety programs, security, and performance, with qualification based on the following steps ... 

Price-Based Selection (PBS) A client, owner, or customer selects a professional service firm solely or mostly on the basis of price (fees plus expenses). QuaMcations-based selection (QBS) A prospect, after evaluating and shortlisting firms based on their qualifications, selects the top-ranked firm for price negotiation based on a detailed project scope. If an agreement cannot be reached, which is uncommon, negotiations begin with the second most qualified firm and so on (Chinowsky and Kingsley 2009). 

Refined the consulting chapter (Chapter 13) and expanded the treatment of qualifications-based and price-based selection of consulting firms. 

Since in-house facilities for handling a large volume of samples for routine analysis were not available, the analytical work was contracted out to three commercial laboratories. We will refer to them as Laboratories A, B, and C. The contractors were selected on the basis of qualification tests which were intended to serve also for interlaboratory calibration. The results were reported to NRDL as d.p.m. or equivalent 285U thermal-neutron fissions at detonation time. All of the radiochemical data obtained from the laboratories are reported in Ref. 5. These values were punched on cards and converted by computer to equivalent fissions of the device, based on mass-chain yield values supplied by the weapons laboratories. At the same time, the calibration factors derived from qualification-test analyses were applied. Values of the ratios, 95, were formed. All of the ratios for a given nuclide i were then selected along with the corresponding values of r89t95, and the data points were fitted... 

Equipment qualification is best considered at the time of equipment specification and selection. The advantages include more effective project management, ease of completing the validation package, and speed of bringing the equipment on-line. Equipment requirements and performance are based on the needs of the product, as characterized during product development. 

Advisers must be selected based on their knowledge, experience or other skill-based qualification that will allow the objectives of the advisory board to be met. They must not be selected on the basis of their history of, or potential for, prescribing the pharmaceutical company s products. 

Equipment selection is often based on performance specifications, pricing, features, or vendor s technical or service support. Major companies tend to purchase HPLC from one or two vendors to reduce cost in system qualification, equipment service, and operator training. The compatibility to an existing chromatographic data-handling network often dominates the purchase decision for HPLC equipment. 

The three Gulf EMA resins were experimentally evaluated and TD-938 was selected on the basis of film transparency, extrudabll-Ity, and ease of module fabrication by lamination. The TD-938-base resin sells for about 0.60/lb (April 1981). A trial formulation is shown in Table II. Modules have been fabricated with this EMA by the vacuum-bag lamination process, and have successfully passed module engineering qualification tests. Primer formulations for bonding EVA and EMA to glass and polyester film have been developed by Dow Corning and the formulations are given in Table III. 

Among the selected documentation, some documents can be mentioned for their major interest the Superphenix Plant Safety Report, the licensing documents (SYFRA system), the codes (only their documentation will be preserve presentation, qualification, utilization, computer description), the RCC-MR rules (2000 version), LIMET 88 proceedings, ARCOPAC data base (Superphenix Plant measurement files) and EFR synthesis reports. 

Agile networks start with the design and flexibility based on joint agreements (contract relationships and demand visibility are essential). The key elements of agility and reliability are balanced with cost for the selection of manufacturing sites, supplier qualifications and modes of transportation. 

Put it down on paper — Evaluate all candidates based on objective criteria derived fi om essential job functions and individual qualifications. A key factor in superior driver selection is the applicant s qualifications and ability to perform the essential functions of the job. Employment decisions based on accurate and up-to-date job descriptions may provide one of the best defenses to charges of discrimination. 

Pre-qualification reduces a large set of initial suppliers to a smaller set of acceptable suppliers for further assessment. De Boer et al. (2001) have cited many different techniques for pre-qualification. Some of these techniques are categorical methods, data envelopment analysis (DEA), cluster analysis, case-based reasoning (CBR) systems, and multi-criteria decision making method (MCDM). Several authors have worked on pre-qualification of suppliers. Weber and Ellram (1992) and Weber et al. (2000) have developed DEA methods for pre-qualification. Hinkel et al. (1969) and Holt (1998) used cluster analysis for pre-qualification and finally Ng and Skitmore (1995) developed CBR systems for pre-qualification. Mendoza et al. (2008) developed a three phase multi-criteria method to solve a general supplier selection problem. The paper combines analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with goal programming for both pre-qualification and final order allocation. 

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