Several state departments of transportation (DOTs) have successfully used the best value approach to procure design-bid-build (DBB), construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC), design-build (D-B), progressive design-build (PDB), and public-private partnership (PPP) highway projects. As each project is unique and the availability of experienced design and construction teams varies from state to state, it is important that state DOTs can develop and implement a procurement process that meets their specific needs but follows best practices to increase the likeliness of project success.

However, there are no standard research-based guidelines to decide what award algorithm, evaluation criteria, weight ranges, and scoring systems will achieve the project’s goals more effectively. Several studies and manuals describe what is being used. Yet there is no evaluation of the effectiveness of current practices in selecting the best design and construction teams and achieving the best project outcomes. Furthermore, no research closes the loop between project performance metrics and the procurement core elements that, in theory, are selected to support achieving the project’s goals. This research will build upon previous studies that have examined how to craft D-B evaluation criteria and how weights influence the balance between price and technical factors.

Setting guidelines to select effective best value award algorithms, evaluation criteria, weights, and scores will help state DOTs draft a procurement process that aligns with performance and budgetary goals to best achieve anticipated project outcomes. The results of this research will benefit state DOTs and taxpayers, who will see more efficient delivery of highway projects and use of public money, by providing guidance on successful procurement practices.

This research aims to explain how project performance metrics can inform best value procurement systems. The expected outcome is a performance-based best value procurement guide that will support DOTs in selecting best value elements (i.e., award algorithms, evaluation criteria, and scoring) and lead to an effective procurement process that aligns with desired project outcomes.