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Roles & Responsibilities in Acquiring Architect-Engineer (A-E) Services

Architect-engineer contracting is a complex process and requires management and administration throughout the entire process. The acquisition team members, working with architect-engineer contracts must work together throughout the project's life. Acquisition team members may include:

• Architects and engineers
• Specification writers
• Cost estimators
• Program managers
• Customers
• Comptrollers
• Contract specialists
• Small business specialists
• Counsel
• Construction managers
• Contracting Officer
• Contracting Officer's Representative
• Contractor

The following table shows some of the different steps in the acquisition process and points out who might take the lead for the step and who will also provide support. The most important thing to remember is the team needs to work together during the process.

Function	Lead	Support
Identify needs	Customer	Technical
Preliminary planning	Customer	Technical/Contracts
Project submittal	Customer	Technical
Project approval	Customer	Technical
Acquisition planning	Customer	Contracts/Technical
Project authorization	Customer
Write scope of work/statement of objectives	Technical and Customer	Contracts
Advertise project	Contracts	Technical
Receive SFs 254 and 255	Contracts
Evaluation	Technical	Contracts
Prepare board report	Technical	Contracts
Approve board report	Selection Authority
Prepare Government estimate	Technical	Contracts
Request fee proposal	Contracts	Technical
Receive proposal	Contracts
Obtain audit, if necessary	Contracts	Technical
Establish negotiation	Contracts	Technical
Negotiation	Contracts	Technical
Contract award	Contracting Officer
Contract management	Technical	Contracts
Contract administration	Contracts	Technical
Prepare performances evaluation	Technical	Contracts
Contract close-out	Contracts	Technical