RCRC, in coalition with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the League of California Cities (CalCities), is supporting Senate Bill 935 authored by Senator Steven Choi (R-Irvine). This measure seeks to allow local governments to continue to use the Design-Build (DB) procurement process for qualifying public works projects.
Specifically, SB 935 will eliminate a sunset date and allow local governments to continue utilizing current state law by making the statutory authority for Design-Build (DB) permanent. Existing law allows a local agency, with the approval of its governing board, to procure design-build contracts for public works projects in excess of $1,000,000, awarding the contract either to the lowest bid or the best value.
The DB method is an approach to delivering public works projects in which both the design and construction of a project are procured from a single entity. Under design-build, the owner contracts with a single entity to both design and construct a project at a fixed price. Simultaneously, contractors are provided with more flexibility over project design, materials and construction methods. This promotes project design and construction innovation, which can result in higher quality, as well as cost savings. This approach also reduces the county and local agencies’ risk and results in fewer litigation claims for all parties involved.
In the traditional Design-Bid-Build (DBB) method of construction procurement the design and contracting phases are sequential, with no direct collaboration process. Allowing alternative delivery methods for construction projects gives local governments the ability to make the most cost-effective and advantageous decision for a particular project. The DB method streamlines project delivery through a single contract between the owner and the design-build team.
This measure deletes the sunset date thereby allowing local governments to continue to use the DB method for more complex projects to facilitate the completion and delivery of public works construction projects efficiently and cost effectively.
SB 935 was introduced on January 29th and will be heard in the Senate Local Government Committee on March 18th. RCRC’s most recent letter can be found HERE.
For additional information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate Eric Will.