Let Engineers Make Engineering Decisions on Local Infrastructure Projects

From time to time Congress and state legislatures are asked to consider so-called “open competition” bills that would create new government mandates requiring state Departments of Transportation and water utilities to consider all available options on pipes and other materials for every infrastructure project. This topic recently came up in a guest op-ed in this paper by Reps. Harley Rouda (D-Calif.) and Brian Babin (R-Texas) promoting their legislation, The SMART Infrastructure Act.

At first glance, it seems like a good idea – who would oppose free and open competition? As the CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), which represents the nation’s engineering industry, we’re all about free market competition. America’s engineering industry lives in the free market every day. Our firms win or lose business based on the innovative design solutions they put forward for their DOT and water clients that save money, improve performance and result in successful project outcomes. It’s a proven relationship that yields the best results for taxpayers and the communities they live in.

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