Design-Build, Design-Build Finance and/or Operations and Maintenance Options

Design-Build (DB) is a project delivery method in which the design and construction services are contracted by a single entity known as the design-build contractor. It has been used in vertical construction for many years, but is relatively new to transportation projects. Design-Build provides a single point of responsibility in the contract in an attempt to reduce risks and overall costs to the state. The selection of the design-build contractor is based on qualifications of the design engineer and contractor and the overall best value of the proposal based on the established end-result goals of the project.

MoDOT was granted authority to use the Design-Build process on three pilot projects by the Missouri General Assembly in 2004. One was to be in St. Louis; one in Kansas City and one could be elsewhere in the state. MoDOT embarked on its first DB procurement in 2005 with the $535 million reconstruction of Interstate 64 in St. Louis. In 2007, the second Design-Build procurement began for the $245 million I-29/I-35 kcICON Christopher S. Bond Bridge over the Missouri River. The third Design-Build procurement was launched for the Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program in 2008, replacing 554 bridges across the state for $487 million. All three projects received national acclaim and were completed on time or ahead of schedule and on or under budget.

Not every project is a good candidate for Design-Build. The traditional approach to designing and then bidding a project is still a very viable process to build construction projects, especially on projects that are fairly routine or constrained in some manner that reduces the opportunity for innovation. However, the DB advantages of speed and flexibility in design and construction innovation can provide better results on certain complex projects. It is a good option to choose DB procurement for projects that have multiple solutions providing an opportunity for innovation, have high impact to the public especially with traffic control, other unique or unusual conditions or when specialty skills are needed for the project’s design and construction.