Bill > A1730

Introduced Session

This bill, known as the "Design-Build Construction Services Procurement Act," sets forth the procedures for the awarding of design-build contracts. A design-build contract is a unique type of project delivery system used in construction and renovation projects. Traditional contracts are awarded using a design-bid-build system, where the project contracting unit starts by hiring an architect. Once the architect has finished the design phase, the project is put out for bid to general contracting companies. The contractor with the lowest bid is awarded the project, and is responsible for completing the job according to the plans created by the architect. With a design-build contract, the contracting unit awards the entire project to a single company. It is typically awarded to a contractor, though architects or engineers may be awarded a design-build contract in some specialized cases. Once the contract is signed, the contractor is responsible for all design and construction work required to complete the project. This system allows the contracting unit to deal with a single source throughout the duration of the job, rather than coordinating between various parties, and is intended to provide cost savings to the contracting unit. When a design-build contract is awarded to a builder, he must hire all architects and engineers required to complete design work. The contracting unit is still given the right to approve or reject design options, but is no longer responsible for coordinating or managing the design team. Once the contracting unit approves the design, the same contractor then oversees the construction process, hiring subcontractors as needed.

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Lou Greenwald (D)*,  Vincent Prieto (D)*,  Troy Singleton (D)*, 

Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading (on 02/08/2016)