State departments and agencies shall follow the procedures in P.L. 1997, Chapter 399, approved January 19, 1998, known as Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) of design professionals, an Act concerning policies and procedures for contracting for certain professional services by State agencies. Local government agencies and private clients are also strongly urged to follow these procedures, which include:

• Projects shall be publicly advertised;
• For each project, agencies shall evaluate current statements of qualifications or may solicit additional expressions of interest;
• The agency shall select in order of preference, at least three professional firms deemed to be the most highly qualified to provide the services required;
• The agency shall negotiate a contract with the most technically qualified firm at compensation which the agency determines to be fair and reasonable; and
• If a contract cannot be satisfactorily negotiated with the most technically ranked firm, discussions are officially terminated and negotiations proceed with the next highest ranked firm until a satisfactory contract is agreed to.

Below are a few links that may be helpful.

Division of Purchase & Property Forms

Public Law 2005, Chapter 51

Public Law 2005, Chapter 271

Executive Order 134

Lobbying Law

Pay to Play Outline