(a) The Chief Architect of GSA is delegated as the selection authority for architect-engineer procurements. This authority may be re-delegated in accordance with service-level policy to appropriate officials.

(b) The selection authority reviews the recommendations from the evaluation board which lists in order of preference the most highly qualified architect-engineer firms. If the selection authority does not concur with the recommendation from the evaluation board, the selection authority must provide to the contracting officer a written explanation of the reason.