Z-1298.1  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 6439

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

 

By Senators Wood, Haugen, Prince and Horn; by request of Department of Transportation

 

Read first time 01/19/98.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

Authorizing design-build demonstration projects.


    AN ACT Relating to construction of certain highway projects under a design-build procedure; creating new sections; and providing a contingent expiration date.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  The legislature finds and declares that a contracting procedure that facilitates construction of transportation facilities in a more timely and efficient manner is occasionally needed to ensure that construction can proceed simultaneously with the design of the facility.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  The department of transportation shall develop, by January 1, 1999, a process for awarding competitively bid highway construction contracts for projects that may be constructed using a design-build procedure.  As used in this section, "design-build procedure" means a method of contracting under which the department of transportation contracts with another party for such party to both design and build the structures, facilities, and other items specified in the contract.

    The process developed by the department shall, at a minimum, include the scope of services required under the design-build procedure, contractor prequalification requirements, criteria for evaluating technical information and project costs, contractor selection criteria, and an issue resolution procedure.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  A demonstration program consisting of two projects of moderate size and complexity must be implemented using the design-build method of contracting, as prescribed under a process developed by the department of transportation under section 2 of this act.  The department shall select the projects for the demonstration program on the basis of their opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of the design-build process.

    The department shall present progress reports on the projects to the legislature at their regular sessions during the course of the demonstration.  The department shall present a final detailed report to the legislature within one year of completion of the projects.  The report must detail the advantages and disadvantages of the design-build process and make recommendations for possible changes in law, and in how the process may be used for future department projects.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.  This act expires December 31, 2000, unless extended by the legislature.

 


                            --- END ---