Design-Build Contracting for Highway Construction Projects in Texas

摘要

The 'Turn Key Construction' project involves the development of a statisticallybased specification for the procurement of low volume highway projects using the Design-Build (DB) method of contracting. This project originally intended to develop current DB procurement techniques to a point which would permit contract award on a lowest and best bid basis. However, during the course of the study it was found that current state law prohibits the use of DB for public projects. Midway through the study, its focus was shifted to developing a set of guidelines and specifications which would permit the speedy implementation of DB, if and when it became permitted through new legislation. The study finds that 15 state departments of transportation are currently using DB for highway construction projects and that it could be successfully implemented in Texas through enabling legislation. The study also developed three alternative methods for DB contract award which can be applied to individual project requirements. It also recommends that DB be considered merely another procurement tool and not a total replacement for current low bid construction contract awards.