The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7149 aims to establish a qualifications-based selection process for municipalities when awarding contracts for professional engineering services that exceed $100,000 and are funded, in whole or in part, by state funds. Effective January 1, 2026, municipalities must solicit statements of qualifications from firms, which will include detailed information about the firm’s experience, past performance, and proposed approach to the services required. The municipalities will evaluate and rank these submissions based on criteria they develop, and negotiate contracts with the highest-ranked firms. Additionally, municipalities may maintain a preapproved list of firms for such services, allowing them to bypass certain publication requirements when soliciting proposals.

The bill also includes a modification to section 7-148v of the general statutes, where the phrase "Notwithstanding" is replaced with "Except as provided in section 1 of this act, notwithstanding," clarifying that the new selection process takes precedence over existing provisions regarding the purchase of services. This legislation is designed to enhance transparency and ensure that municipalities select qualified firms for engineering services, ultimately improving the quality and accountability of public projects. The act will take effect on October 1, 2025.