Construction

Alternative Contracting Methods (ACMs) Library

The Federal Highway Administration supports the deployment of Alternative Contracting Methods-Design-Build (D-B), Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC), Alternate Technical Concepts (ATC)-to accelerate project delivery, encourage the deployment of innovation, and minimize unforeseen delays and cost overruns.

In traditional highway construction contracting (design-bid-build), cost is generally the one criterion that determines the winning bid. As State and local agencies strive to meet customer needs, factors such as quality, delivery time, social and economic impact, safety, public perception, and life-cycle costs have gained in importance. Since the 1990s, the FHWA has been supporting the use of these innovative alternative contracting methods to help achieve these goals.

* This Library has been assembled to provide access to Samples of documents prepared by State legislatures, and transportation owner agencies in the execution of roadway construction contracting, deploying these methods. It does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

• Design-Build (D-B)
• Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC)
• Alternative Technical Concepts (ATC)
• Quick Reference, Background Material, and Useful Information
• FHWA Division ACM Contacts

ACM Technical Contacts

Vision & Mission

Vision: ACMs are mainstreamed as viable delivery options for highway construction projects.

Mission: Increase the rapid deployment of ACMs & harness innovation through early contractor involvement, while providing public owners and industry with the knowledge, tools, and skills to successfully implement ACMs.

* DISCLAIMER: This Virtual Library was assembled under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration in the interest of enhanced technical information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. The contents of this Library reflect the views of the document owner agencies in each Section, who are responsible for the accuracy of the information presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation. In addition, this Library does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. It provides access to Samples of documents prepared by State legislatures, and transportation owner agencies in the execution of roadway construction contracting. Substantial effort has been made to assure that all of the data and information in this website are accurate and useful to the owner agencies in considering alternative contracting methods (ACMs) on their highway and bridge projects. This should not be considered as an official document. The data and information contained may change over time. The visitor must verify the accuracy and appropriateness of the data and information with the source(s) as appropriate and identified within. Although this Library is intended for use by officials responsible for transportation contracting, team leaders, supervisors, managers of highway and bridge engineering staffs, and industry partners may also find the Library helpful in gaining better understanding of the properties and benefits of alternative contracting methods.