PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS AND CONTRACTING APPROACHES AVAILABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Public agencies across the country are pursuing innovative project delivery methods such as design-build (D-B) and construction manager-at risk (CM-at risk) to improve cycle-time performance on projects, and numerous transportation departments are currently using D-B for highway construction. Although the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas legislature have shown a particular interest in the D-B project delivery method, it is legally unavailable at present, as are any delivery methods outside of the traditional design-bid-build (DBB) process. This study provides an overview of various project delivery methods and assesses their use and criteria for selection should they be made available to TxDOT. The research includes a review of several contracting approaches because these are currently available for use by TxDOT and have few legal restrictions. Suggested guidance to implement a D-B project delivery method is also addressed and further detailed in the accompanying guidebook, Project Delivery Methods and Contracting Approaches: Assessment and Design-Build Implementation Guidance.