1. Georgia Department of Transportation
Recommended Guide for Next Generation of Transportation Design-Build Procurement and Contracting in the State of Georgia
Russell McMurry, P.E.
Chief Engineer
Georgia Department of Transportation
Georgia DOT is very pleased to be recognized for this research, which was conducted by Georgia Tech under the technical direction of our Office of Innovative Program Delivery and managed by our Office of Research.
The Design-Build (DB) project delivery system offers state DOT’s the opportunity to accelerate critical phases of projects with the goal of delivering transportation projects more cost-effectively.

2. Research Objective Research objective:
develop a systematic approach to help evaluate appropriateness of DB for a project
DB is a useful tool but State DOT’s should select DB for projects only if it is expected to produce the best outcomes, for example:
reduced project delivery schedule;
reduced project delivery cost; and
use of innovation
The overall objective of this research project was to develop a transparent, defensible method of evaluating the appropriateness of DB for a transportation project.

3. Research Performed
Comprehensive review of academic and professional literature
Scanning process on state DOT websites re: DB state of practice
Structured interviews with state DOT representatives
The research itself entailed a comprehensive review of academic and professional literature to identify:
Benefits of DB from the state DOT’s standpoint
Significant factors in the selection of DB for a project
Existing processes for the assessment of project delivery systems
The researchers scanned numerous state DOT websites regarding the documented state of practice related to DB and conducted structured interviews with state DOT representatives to identify and analyze the approach of these state DOT’s for selecting DB for their transportation projects

4. Key Finding of State DOT Scanning Process
Based on the state DOT scanning process, this graph shows the main factors motivating state DOT’s to select DB.
The in-depth structured interviews with three DOT’s also showed that:
State DOT’s benefit from an effective and transparent evaluation process that explicitly shows how using DB can produce the best outcome for the project
Efficient and effective risk allocation is critical for the success of DB projects
Successful implementation of a DB project highly depends on the procurement method used for DB team selection
Main Factors that Motivate State DOT’s to Select DB
(Source: 29 State DOT’s DB Guidelines and Manuals)

5. Major Deliverables of Research Project
DB guidebook to improve efficiency of DB selection and implementation
A DB selection tool was developed that helps GDOT to:
Determine suitability of DB for projects
Assess whether project risks can be managed if DB selected
Evaluate procurement methods and select most appropriate
Implement DB transparently and consistently
A DB guidebook was developed to improve the efficiency of DB selection and implementation for GDOT highway projects.
A DB computerized selection tool was also developed that guides GDOT in determining suitable projects for DB, while also looking at risk management and specific procurement methods.
We feel this guidebook and the tool allow us to implement DB more effectively

6. Implementation
Post-research workshop held to share and facilitate adoption of DB tool
GDOT Office of Innovative Program Delivery is currently using DB selection tool
A post-research workshop was held to facilitate adoption of DB contracting in Georgia.
Workshop participants were guided through various steps of this systematic approach as described in the DB selection tool.
GDOT is currently using the DB selection tool to achieve transparent and consistent implementation of DB.

7. Value of Research
Information provided from research made possible the following Georgia legislative changes:
July 1, 2012: DB cap raised by 50% ($), based on total awards in previous fiscal year
July 1, 2013: DB code revised to allow for Best Value DB contracting
Besides the tool itself, the information that was gathered as part of the research provided us with data that we were able to share with our Legislature, and last year the Georgia legislators raised the previous cap for DB by 50%.
Additionally, effective July 1, 2013, Georgia legislators revised the DB code to allow for Best Value DB contracting, previously we were required to award DB projects using lowest bid.
We are very pleased to be moving forward with DB on an even larger scale by implementing this research.

8. Systematic Approach NO YES Are there deal breakers?
Conduct SWOT Analysis
Project Delivery Schedule
Innovation
Level of Design
Project Delivery Cost
Staff Experience
Marketplace Competition &DB Team Experience
SWOT Score over 60?
Design Build is not a proper Project Delivery System NO
YES
Set Project Goals
Assess Deal-Breaker Issues
Are there deal breakers?
Define Project Characteristics
Identify the Department’s Strategic Goals and Assess the Institutional Alignment of Design Build Project Delivery System with these Strategic Goals
Project Quality

9. Systematic Approach Analyze Benefits and Challenges
Perform initial risk identification and allocation
High DB Risk?
Design Build is a proper Project Delivery System
Design Build is not a proper Project Delivery System
Yes
YES NO
Analyze Benefits and Challenges
Assess Benefits and Challenges of Selection Based on Price Consideration Only Vs. Selection Based on Price and Technical Considerations
Assess Benefits and Challenges of Single-Phase Selection Process Vs. Two-Phase Selection Process
Select the appropriate Selection Method
Since first DB projects had prequalified designer – had to choose one
DB code 2004
Rules KIA – First under design build code

10. Selection Tool

11. Risk Allocation

12. Thank You rmcmurry@dot.ga.gov
This is a picture of one of our DB openings- I-20 eastbound CD ribbon cutting.  This DB project opened to traffic on schedule this summer and produced outstanding results exceeding our expectations.