Skip to contentUnited States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway AdministrationSearch FHWAFeedback

FHWA > Every Day Counts > Shortening Project Delivery > Accelerating Project Delivery Methods > Design Build

Accelerating Project Delivery Methods

Design-Build Project Delivery Method

The way to accelerate project delivery is to combine the design and construction phases into a single contract. DB does just that. Whereas the traditional DBB approach takes these steps in sequence, DB allows them to overlap. There is a single phase for the procurement of a firm who is responsible for both design and construction. The contractor is involved early in the design, so the designer can tailor plans to contractor capabilities from the onset.

Policy

Final Design-Build Rule for SAFETEA-LU Section 1503

The FHWA issued a final rule in the August 14, 2007 Federal Register. The final rule revises FHWA's regulations in 23 CFR Part 636 for design-build contracting as mandated by section 1503 of the "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users" (SAFETEA-LU). The revised regulation allows contracting agencies to issue design-build request-for-proposal documents, award contracts, and issue notices-to-proceed for preliminary design work prior to the conclusion of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

Design-Build Final Rule

The Federal Highway Administration published a final rule in the December 10, 2002 Federal Register to implement regulations for design-build contracting as mandated by Section 1307(c) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The regulation allows, but does not require, the use of design-build contracting procedures. When the final rule becomes effective on January 9, 2003, recipients in the Federal-aid highway program will be able to use the design-build contracting method just as they would the traditional design-bid-build contracting method.

PDF and Text files of the final rule are available at the Federal Register Web site: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a021210c.html

General Information

Design/Contract-Build, through American Council of Engineering Companies - Publication Cover

"The Project Delivery Systems Owner's Manual", Tom Warne, P.E. & Jeffrey L. Beard , through American Council of Engineering Companies

The Project Delivery Systems Owner's Manual offers in-depth help to owners on selecting the appropriate project delivery system for their project. This valuable publication includes chapter-length discussions on each of the major sequential delivery processes, as well as full chapters covering the new integrated delivery options.

Design/Contract-Build, through American Council of Engineering Companies - Publication Cover

"Design-Build Project Delivery", through American Council of Engineering Companies

Learn design-build basics such as definitions and background, the application of this method, the advantages and disadvantages that owners and designers need to understand, the difference between design-build in the private and public sectors, variations of this delivery method, and guidance on how to manage risk and attain rewards.

Design/Contract-Build, through American Council of Engineering Companies - Publication Cover

"Design/Contract-Build", through American Council of Engineering Companies,

Design/Contract-Build enables the owner to gain many of the advantages of integrated delivery (such as design-build) while retaining full control over the process.

Design/Contract-Build through American Council of Engineering Companies - Publication Cover

"Design-Build-Operate", through American Council of Engineering Companies,

Find out key differences in design-build versus the design-build-operate delivery systems as well as the long- and short-term opportunities, obligations, responsibilities, and liabilities that exist.

State DOT Design-Build Guidance

Design-Build Procurement Documents

General Information

Authority/Legal Basis – Laws

Regulations

  • Title 23 C.F.R. Part 636 provides the FHWA's regulatory policy for the design-build project delivery method.

Training

State DOT Design-Build Guidance

Design-Build Procurement Documents

Updated: 05/25/2012

FHWA Home | Feedback | Privacy Notice

Home IconHome

Project Delivery Icon(Roads)Project Delivery

Accelerating Technology

Contact IconContact Us

FHWA
United States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration