[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 161 (Friday, September 28, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2018

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                               speech of

                          HON. BRUCE WESTERMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 26, 2018

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that Congress included 
Section 131, subsection (1) in the final version of H.R. 302, the FAA 
Reauthorization Act of 2018.
  This provision amends section 47107(a)(17) of title 49, United States 
Code, to ensure that Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) is used for 
any contracts and subcontracts for program management, construction 
management, planning studies, feasibility studies, architectural 
services, preliminary engineering, design, engineering, surveying, 
mapping, and related services for projects that use Airport Improvement 
Program (AIP) funding in any phase. Thus, FAA would be precluded from 
funding any parts of the project using AlP funds if the QBS process is 
or was not used in the selection of professional service providers for 
the above activities.
  This provision is intended to ensure that high-quality design, 
engineering, and architectural services are procured through a QBS 
process, including when an airport sponsor uses AlP for construction 
activities. QBS has long been used by the federal government and 
federal-aid grant programs to ensure the best-qualified companies are 
selected for pre-construction designs and activities that will result 
in high-quality, cost-saving construction projects.
  I was pleased to work with my colleague Congressman Dan Lipinski from 
Illinois on the important measure and we look forward to its 
implementation.

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