GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1129

Short Title:  State Architect.	(Public.)
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Sponsors: Representatives Hightower; Cunningham, DeVane, Sutton, and Warner.
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Referred to:  State Government.
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April 19, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR A STATE ARCHITECT AND TO REQUIRE COMPETITIVE BIDDING ON STATE ARCHITECTURAL, ENGINEERING, AND SURVEYING CONTRACTS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Article 3D of Chapter 143 is repealed.
Sec. 2.  Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 143-64.35.  Architectural, engineering, and surveying services.
(a)	Each contract entered into by a public entity for architectural, engineering, or land surveying services shall be competitively bid and shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.  The bidding shall be conducted under procedures adopted by:
(1)	The Department of Transportation for all contracts awarded by or on behalf of the Board of Transportation;
(2)	The Department of Administration for all contracts awarded by or on behalf of State agencies, subject to the provisions of G.S. 143-135.26(1);
(3)	A unit of local government or a political subdivision of the State for all contracts awarded by or on behalf of the unit of local government or political subdivision.
(b)	This section shall apply when the estimated professional fee under the contract exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000)."
Sec. 3.  G.S. 143-135.26 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"( b1)	There is hereby created the Office of State Architect.  The State Architect shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Administration to provide for architectural services for State capital improvement projects."
Sec. 4.  The Secretary of Administration, in consultation with the State Building Commission, shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations by May 1, 1994, on the Office of State Architect.  The report shall identify the staff and funding necessary for the Office of State Architect to perform architectural services on State capital improvement projects.  The report shall also identify the costs of operating, staffing, and funding the Office of State Architect relative to the cost of contracting for private architectural services.
Sec. 5.  Section 3 of this act shall become effective October 1, 1994.  The remainder of this act is effective upon ratification.  Section 2 applies to contracts for architectural, engineering, and land surveying services let for bid on or after the effective date of this act.