SB 6439-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Directs the department of transportation to develop, by January 1, 1999, a process for awarding competitively bid highway construction contracts for projects over ten million dollars that may be constructed using a design-build procedure.  As used in this act, "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.

     Provides that a demonstration program consisting of two projects over ten million dollars must be implemented using the design-build method of contracting, as prescribed under a process developed by the department of transportation under this act.

     Requires projects normally valued over ten million dollars to be selected on the basis of:  (1) The construction activities are highly specialized and a design-build approach is critical in developing the construction methodology;

     (2) the projects selected provide opportunity for greater innovation and efficiencies between the designer and the builder; or

     (3) significant savings in project delivery time would be realized.

     Directs the department to present progress reports on the projects to the legislature at their regular sessions during the course of the demonstration.