On June 29, Florida’s governor signed House Bill 441, which doubled the maximum contract value of continuing contracts awarded by governmental entities to design professionals, construction managers and program managers. The maximum value, based on estimated construction costs, is now $4 million. The bill also increased the maximum contract value for continuing contracts to provide design studies to $500,000. The new law went into effect on July 1 and is not retroactive.

Government may purchase professional services, construction management services, and program management services using a qualifications-based selection process as opposed to a price-based bid process. The controlling statue for professional services, Section 287.055, Florida Statutes, is commonly known as the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act, or the CCNA. The CCNA describes the process of qualification-based selection whereby professional services firms are selected based on their ability—not low price.