Our architecture firm client was unexpectedly replaced on a major public project after new leadership hired a competitor with apparent personal connections, despite the long-term relationship between our client and its public client. The firm, concerned about potential violations of state statutes requiring qualifications-based selections for architectural services, sought our counsel. Our analysis focused on the applicability of the relevant procurement law to the governmental unit and whether its selection process met legal requirements, given our client’s extensive prior experience with its client yet exclusion from this project. This research aimed to equip the client with options for regaining consideration, both for this project and others, including leveraging sympathetic board members and statutory provisions for submitting qualifications, while carefully managing the political dynamics of the situation.
