FINAL BILL REPORT

2ESSB 5997

C 18 L 15 E 3

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning transportation project delivery.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators King, Hobbs, Fain, Liias, Litzow, Braun, Schoesler, Parlette, Dammeier, Warnick, Sheldon, O'Ban, Hewitt, Becker and Brown).

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 complete 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 $10 million, except that WSDOT may also use the design-build process on up to five pilot projects costing between $2 and $10 million.

Summary: WSDOT is strongly encouraged to use design-build for public works projects over $2 million.

The Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) must conduct a design-build contracting review study to examine WSDOT's implementation and use of design-build contracting. The JTC must convene an expert panel to assist in the study. The expert panel must be comprised the following stakeholders: a consultant and at least two nationally recognized experts in the field of design-build project delivery; a representative from the association of general contractors; a representative from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington; a representative of the Professional and Technical Employees local 17; and a representative from WSDOT. The panel must report to the Legislature and the Governor by December 1, 2016. An expiration date of June 30, 2017, is provided for the study and expert panel.

WSDOT must develop a construction program business plan that (1) incorporates the findings of the JTC design-build contracting review study; (2) outlines a sustainable level of state-employed engineering staff; (3) includes project delivery methods for design and construction; and (4) makes recommendations on the development of a strong-owner strategy.

Votes on Final Passage:

Third Special Session