Featured Stories
Cover Story: Correctional Collaboration 
By Mark Konchar, Ph.D., DBIA, LEED AP, vice president, Balfour Beatty Construction
Alison Carney, CPSM, director of marketing, Balfour Beatty Construction
Ashley Campbell, marketing project lead, Balfour Beatty Construction
The Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC) Detention Facility Program was the first unsolicited Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Virginia to utilize the design-build delivery method. The design-build process provided an essential means by which the team achieved the client’s goals for a prototype detention facility through ongoing collaboration. The VDOC program earned a Design-Build Institute of America National Merit Award in 2008, as well as a national award from the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships, underscoring the accomplishments of this “first” for Virginia.
Leading Municipalities through the Design-Build Process
By Phil Sheridan and Barbara Wagner
As money for infrastructure and economy-stimulating projects is allocated to governments across the country, many municipalities will consider turning to the design-build delivery method. Lured by design-build’s efficiency and rapid construction pace, federal agencies and local and state governments will be tempted to leave behind traditional delivery methods. Because of the size and breadth of many government agencies, establishing universal buy-in to design-build methodologies will take time and effort.
Risk Allocation and Design-Build
By Craig Unger, DBIA
Within the design and construction industry, we are all well aware of the fact that all major projects have significant risk exposure. Who manages the various risk factors? Who pays for such risk? What is the impact on the project costs and schedule? How can risk liability be minimized? Why should owners be focused on risk allocation?
Back to top
DBIA News
DBIA’S Certification Program Developments
New Design-Build Contract Documents
Building on our reputation for unbiased and fair contracts, DBIA is releasing new customizable contracts for use between an owner and design-builder.
The Design-Build Manual of Practice
This indispensible reference brings together everything you need to know to form a solid foundation for successful design-build project delivery, encompassing the most current and relevant information available. The manual content includes a handy condensation of key concepts from DBIA’s education courses, and will be reviewed, updated and expanded on a regular basis in order to keep pace with advances in the industry and emerging best practices.
Back to top
Departments
A Message from the Incoming Chief Executive
The Design-Build Institute of America announced on March 31 that Lisa Washington, CAE, will assume the role of executive director upon the retirement of current DBIA president and CEO Lee Evey. The transition will be complete by June 2009. As executive director, Washington will serve as DBIA’s chief executive and will be accountable directly to the DBIA Board of Directors
A Message from the Outgoing Chief Executive
There is a special wall in the national office of the Design-Build Institute of America. Most people who visit the national office never see that wall; it’s in the rear, away from the public areas where visitors normally congregate. On the wall there are 16 pictures of some very special individuals; the pictures show people who thought enough of their country, their peers and their industry to selflessly expend a great deal of time and effort on their behalf.
Board Reflections
My column in the December 2008 Design-Build DATELINE focused on change in the context of the deterioration in the global economy. Now, once again, the theme is change, but this time due to a planned transition in our organization’s staff leadership. Far from being a negative situation, the current change presents the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of two extraordinary individuals and the progress we have made as an organization.
Legislative Update
What can design-builders do to convince state governments to pass design-build friendly legislation? Across the country, members and regions continue to work hard for legislative change.
DBIA Book Club
By Patricia Carpio
The public sector construction industry has experienced a remarkable change in the way projects are awarded and developed thanks in part to the evolution of design-build and the acceptance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for the completion of federal and state projects. Though not a new concept, design-build is experiencing a rebirth in the public sector for its ability to allow the design-build teams to foresee and solve problems at any stage of the project.
Members in the News
Projects to Watch
New Members
Back to top