With talk of the economy, new national infrastructure legislation and politicians intent on creating new jobs, the playing field could scarcely be more suitable for design-build to take new strides in the new year.
DBIA representatives continue visiting Capitol Hill and speaking with lawmakers and staffs in perhaps the biggest opportunity for design-build in years. Audiences on Capitol Hill range from visits to the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to staffers from various agencies, committees and even state legislatures.
If anything owners and staffers are receiving multiple levels of design-build awareness, and DBIA continues to emphasize design-build and the most reasonable, cost-effective and time saving approach to project delivery out there. Another extremely positive trend is that in contrast to previous years, owners are reaching out to DBIA and requesting meetings, rather than DBIA requesting the meetings. It’s an indication that owners really see design-build as increasingly important.
With belts tight across the country, it makes design-build the most logical solution to such financial constraints.
To keep DBIA members better informed on the ever-changing political and legislative barometer, we have revamped our advocacy section at www.dbia.org. Updated weekly, the site covers the recently reconvened state legislatures that are considering design-build legislation. As a bonus, you can also find the contact information for your state and district legislators if you would like to bring them your concerns directly.
This is a time like no other in the history of design-build. But it’s going to take education and persistence to ensure local and national legislators know the benefits of design-build.
State Legislation Growth
While DBIA works in Washington to encourage the design-build delivery method as the most viable for these times and economic circumstances, several states continue to explore local legislative options that can help grow design-build acceptance across the nation.
The strides made in the last four years reveal the push toward design-build is alive and well, and the local efforts of DBIA members across the country are having an impact.
In 2005, six states had absolutely no legislation backing the use of design-build for public agencies. That number is now down to just three states – Rhode Island, Michigan and Alabama.
Unfortunately none of these has pending legislation in this session, but so far this year, Florida, Indiana Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New York, North Dakota and Oklahoma all have various bills up for consideration this year.
In Montana, one bill would further authorize county or water sewer districts to use alternative project delivery and provide an immediate effective date.
In New York, an amendment would allow any project delivery method to “design, construct, acquire, reconstruct, rehabilitate and improve academic buildings, dormitories and other facilities for the state university.”
Missouri is considering allowing design-build highway contracts, and North Dakota is considering authorizing two design-build contracts for highway bridge projects.