COFPAES was formed in the 1960s to serve as the unified voice of the architectural, engineering (A/E) and related services profession on issues related to Federal contracting. Member organizations are the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM), American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS) and National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Throughout its history, COFPAES has focused on ensuring quality and competence in the procurement of professional A/E (including surveying and mapping) services. COFPAES serves the American public by assisting Congress and Federal agencies with policies to ensure that projects to satisfy the building, infrastructure, resource, defense, and security needs of the Nation are conducted in an efficient and quality manner. COFPAES is the unified voice of the community in support of the Brooks Act (40 USC 1101 and part 36.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation(FAR)), which provides for Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) of professional firms. More than 40 states have also enacted "Mini-Brooks Acts" for state government (and in some cases local government) procurement. The QBS process in the Brooks Act is also endorsed by the American Bar Association in its Model Procurement Code for State and Local Government, and client groups such as the American Public Works Association, the Associated General Contractors of America, and the Airport Consultants Council (ACC) - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) best practices document. For information, visit the COFPAES web site, www.cofpaes.org.