Brief Description: Preserving the use of design-build construction on certain transportation projects.

Sponsors: Senators Swecker and Haugen.

Senate Committee on Transportation
House Committee on Transportation

Background: Design-build construction is a contracting technique that allows the owner of a project to contract with a single entity for the design and construction of a project. Some construction work can often begin before final design is complete, providing opportunity for cost savings and expedited project delivery. The more common project contract, design-bid-build, requires design to be completed before the construction portion of the project is awarded.

Current law allows the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to use design-build construction if construction activities are highly specialized, efficiency opportunities through the use of a single entity for design and construction are greater, or significant savings in project delivery time would be realized. A design-build project must be over ten million dollars, except that WSDOT may also use the design-build process on up to five pilot projects costing between two and ten million dollars.

Current law establishing the process for design-build construction is due to expire in 2008.

Summary: The design-build construction expiration date of April 30, 2008, is removed.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      49   0
House      96   0

Effective:   July 22, 2007