In collaboration with the Designer Selection Board (DSB), the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM)has developed the Standard Designer Evaluation Form for all Municipalities and all other Public Agencies not within DSB's jurisdiction. As part of the Construction Reform Legislation passed this year, Section 13 of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2000 amends Section 38E of MGL Chapter 7 to require all Public Agencies receiving funding for building construction through the Commonwealth to complete Designer Evaluations.

The intent of these evaluation forms is to improve accountability among the Designers and the Public Agencies they serve. The information on these evaluations will be made available to the Designer Selection Board and to the Public Agencies to assist them as they select design firms for public building projects.

A written preliminary evaluation is required to be completed by the Public Agency and submitted to the Designer at the completion of the schematic phase of the project. This will serve as a progress report and provide an opportunity for the Agency and the Designer to discuss the firm's performance on the project to date. At the final completion of the project the Public Agency must give the completed Evaluation to the Designer within 30 days to allow time for a written response from the Designer.

The completed Evaluation form and any response from the Designer must be submitted together to the Designer Selection Board and to the Division of Capital Asset Management within 70 days of occupancy in order to be eligible for the receipt of any public funds disbursed by the commonwealth for the purposes of public building or public works projects. (Section 13 of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2000)

Designer Evaluation for the Design Phase doc format of evaldes.doc
Designer Evaluation for the Design Phase pdf format of evaldes.pdf

Designer Evaluation for the Construction Phase doc format of evalcon.doc
Designer Evaluation for the Construction Phase pdf format of evalcon.pdf

For projects involving both design and construction, there are two stages in the project at which the Public Agency must complete the evaluation form as follows:

  • At the completion of the Schematic Design phase, the Agency must provide the Designer with a written preliminary evaluation for informational purposes. The Design Phase form may be utilized at this phase. This preliminary evaluation is not required to be submitted to DCAM and the DSB, but must be provided to the Designer no later than 30 days after completion of the schematic design phase of the project.
  • At the completion of the Construction project, the Public Agency must provide the Designer with a completed Design Phase and Construction Phase Evaluation Form for the entire project. These two completed forms must be submitted to the Designer no later than 30 days after the project completion. The Public Agency must then submit these forms to the Designer Selection Board and the Division of Capital Asset Management no later than 70 days after occupancy.

To encourage constructive and productive feedback to designers, the legislature provided for certain protections for public employees completing these evaluations. DCAM encourages all managers as well as firms doing public design and construction to take full advantage of this communication tool. This is a great opportunity to enhance our ability to provide the best services to the public sector.

Questions:

If you have any questions please call the DSB at (617) 727-4046. You may direct your questions to the DSB's Executive Director Gordon Sainsbury or his executive assistant Claire Hester.

This information is provided by the Division of Capital Asset Management.