Below is a listing of the stories in this month's DATELINE, organized by categories. The full text is available to DBIA members through the mail.
Featured Stories
Cover Story: Paving a New Road
By Terry Ward, P.E., and Doug Jackson, P.E.
For many years, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN DOT) traditionally contracted projects utilizing the low-bid process in conjunction with the design-bid-build delivery method. Under this practice, MN DOT designs the project, either with its own or consultant staff, and then puts the plans and specifications out for bidding.
Competing for Federal Work After 9/11
By J. Michael Littlejohn, Esq.
Since September 11, the design and protection of federal buildings has become a high priority and a serious concern. In 2002, the Department of Defense (DOD) developed and approved the Anti-Terrorism Standards for Buildings (published as the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC4-010-01)) which will apply to all construction after fiscal year 2004 for all facilities occupied by DOD personnel regardless of the source of funding. The General Services Administration has also adopted new security requirements for its buildings.
Design-Build Delivery Method for Rehabilitation of Urban Roadways
By Dan Tangherlini, Muhammed S. Khalid, P.E., Thomas Topolski, P.E., and Prakash N. Patel, P.E.
Time was nearly up. In 1998, Congress had permitted the District of Columbia to convert an interstate project into a series of projects including some to improve local roadways. The original project had been killed at the contract approval stage by ardent resident opposition. It was this last batch of projects, roughly $75 million in all, that needed to be obligated by the end of June, 2002, or the money would expire.
New Federal Acquisition Regulation Regarding Defects in the Power Of Attorney Accompanying a Bid Bond
By Steven L. Briggerman, Esq., and Jamison L. Weinbaum, Esq.
Design-build contractors should be aware of recent changes in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) that significantly affect the requirements for adequate and enforceable bid bonds.
Meeting the Transportation Challenge in Texas
By the Texas Department of Transportation Turnpike Division Staff
For all practical purposes, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is emerging as a new public agency ready to do business with the private sector in a way that will meet the immediate and long-term transportation needs of a robust state. Two circumstances drove the urgency behind the need for alternatives to business as usual — the cost of maintaining our aging roads and bridges soared while the need for new capacity exploded.
Overcoming Anxiety in Light of a New Legal Landscape
By Philip R. White, Esq., and David W. Kiefer, Esq.
The problem of tort liability continues to be one of the major challenges facing businesses and governments today. This concern is driven by the seemingly open-ended potential liability that can extend to people and businesses with whom we do not even have direct relationships.
The Army National Guard’s Key to Success
By Colonel (Retired) Donald R. Frankland and Major Mark Austin, PA ARNG
The Army National Guard (ARNG) has been forced by local and world events to substantially revise its military construction (MILCON) project delivery procedures as we enter the 21st Century.
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Departments
Editor's Notes
It is altogether fitting that our conference issue this year focuses on the increasingly sophisticated approach of public sector owners and the new opportunities offered for enterprising design-builders.
Board Reflections
In the last 10 years the federal government has enthusiastically embraced the use of design-build contracting. The government’s use of design-build contracting has risen dramatically and many of its agencies have turned to design-build to deliver some of their most ambitious projects.
Editorial Forum
By Charles E. Williams
In the political and cultural history of place, embassies stand as a physical testament to a nation’s international engagement. The embassies of the United States provide the indispensable infrastructure by which we deliver America’s vision to the world.
The Ethics Advisor
By G. William Quatman, FAIA, Esq.
Do you look good in stripes? How about an orange jump suit? We don’t have to look too far these days to find examples of unethical business practices that turn into criminal prosecutions.
Legal Briefs
By Edmund V. Caplicki, III
One of the positive attributes of the design-build project delivery method is the relative infrequency of disputes between the owner and design-builder as compared to the frequency of disputes between the owner and contractor using the traditional design-bid-build method.
Legislative Update
More than 250 bills pertaining to design-build were introduced during the 2005 legislative cycle — a record high. Most state legislatures have completed their 2005 session. A total of 84 bills (some minor, some major) became law in 2005.
Publication Focus
By Larry Williamson
DBIA Associate Manager of Publications
In addition to the long-awaited release of Design-Build Lessons Learned – Case Studies from 2004, this year marks the 10-year anniversary of the Design-Build Lessons Learned series. The 10-volume collection of publications, spanning from 1995 through 2004, is an in-depth analysis of hundreds of judicial cases, each case dealing with a significant legal issue in the practice of design-build project delivery.
Members in the News
Projects to Watch
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