American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

Special Committee on Research and Innovation

 

FY2023 NCHRP PROBLEM STATEMENT TEMPLATE

 

Problem Number:  2023-D-12

 

Problem Title

Update AASHTO Guide for Design-Build Procurement

 

Background Information and Need For Research

The AASHTO Guide for Design-Build Procurement was published in 2008 and is intended to assist state transportation agencies in procuring Design-Build projects, including preparing requests for qualifications (RFQ), proposals (RFP) and selecting the successful proposer.  Design-Build procurement procedures continue to rapidly evolve since 2008. Over the past 13 years lessons learned in the procurement processes across the nation have identified better ways to procure and deliver Design-Build highway projects.  In particular, a new form of Design-Build procurement, Progressive Design-Build has emerged as an innovative way to procure and deliver highway projects.  The current procurement guide is dated and lacks critical information to assist agencies attempting to deliver these types of projects. This problem statement has been ranked as the #3 priority for the AASHTO Committee on Design.

 

Literature Search Summary

There has been a significant amount of research conducted in relation to Design-Build projects since the publication of the AASHTO Guide for Design-Build Procurement in 2008.  A review of the research listed in trid.trb.org identifies over 100 entries identifying research specifically targeting specific facets of Design-Build.  Further review has not identified specific publications targeted towards a general procurement guide which includes Progressive Design Build. 

 

It is noted that the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) has developed resources applicable to this effort.  The update of this guide will also collaborate with DBIA and include information, as appropriate, to incorporate best practices and streamline the content development within this guide. This will be focused on procurement of Design-Build Projects by state highway agencies yet adaptable to any governmental or private entity.

 

This research will update the guide and incorporate the information gathered from this large database of focused and specific publications as a basis for Design-Build procurement for use by states across the nation.

 

Research Objective

The objective of this research is to update the 2008 AASHTO Guide for Design-Build Procurement and incorporate procurement guidance and considerations for Progressive Design Build.

 

The major tasks of this research will consist of:

           Develop a work plan.

           Literature search to identify recent and applicable procurement methodologies for inclusion and adaption to this guide.

           Survey states and stakeholder organizations to identify and compile Design-Build procurement best practices implemented or recommended since the publication of the 2008 Guide and currently under consideration or development.

           Draft new chapter outline allowing for the incorporation of Progressive Design Build into the guide.

           Compile research results and draft into guide.

           Coordinate with AASHTO Committees, in particular the Technical Committee for Alternate Project Delivery (TCAPD) regarding recommended updates and inclusions into the guide.

           Revise draft and finalize update to the manual.

 

Urgency and Potential Benefits

13 years have passed since the publication of the 2008 Guide for Design-Build Procurement.  During that interim many states have furthered the use and others have since implemented Design-Build Procurement. This growth in the use of Design-Build for highway projects has resulted in many lessons learned and improvements in the procurement of Design-Build projects.  This evolution has diminished the value and rendered the existing guide as somewhat ineffective.  Additionally, with the emergence of Progressive Design Build as an innovative adaptation of the delivery method, this guide must be updated to reflect current practice and provide guidance for this new innovative delivery method.  All states, including those currently utilizing Design-Build and those considering implementing Design-Build will benefit from a vetted, concise and consistent guideline. As stated above, this problem statement has been ranked as the #3 priority for the AASHTO Committee on Design.

 

Implementation Considerations

Both states which currently utilize and those considering adding Design-Build to their procurement portfolios will benefit from this update.  In particular, alternate delivery staff members in addition to all project managers tasked with the delivery of high dollar, high risk, tight schedule and complex scope projects will benefit from this updated resource to aid in the procurement decisions necessary to deliver these types of projects.

 

Recommended Research Funding and Research Period

Recommended Funding:  $300,000

Research Period: 1 years

 

Problem Statement Author(S): For each author, provide their name, affiliation, email address and phone.

Kris Peterson, Utah DOT, krispeterson@utah.gov, 801-791-1499

Travis Koestner, Missouri DOT, travis.koestner@modot.mo.gov, 417-493-9135

David B. Benton, Arizona DOT, dbenton@azdot.gov, 602-712-7910

 

Potential Panel Members: For each panel member, provide their name, affiliation, email address and phone.

Kris Peterson, Utah DOT, krispeterson@utah.gov, 801-791-1499

Travis Koestner, Missouri DOT, travis.koestner@modot.mo.gov, 417-493-9135

Others from DOT’s and Industry Partners tbd.

 

Person Submitting The Problem Statement: Name, affiliation, email address and phone.

Kris Peterson

Chair, AASHTO Technical Committee for Alternate Project Delivery

Project Development Director

Utah Department of Transportation

krispeterson@utah.gov

801-791-1499