The Design-Build Procurement Act was established by the Legislature in 1999. The Act created the Design-Build Board to review all state and local government construction projects that intended to utilize the design-build method of construction. The Board's initial responsibility was to approve those projects that met the statutory criteria and to disapprove those projects that failed to meet the criteria.

 

The West Virginia Legislature modified the Design-Build Procurement Act in 2005 to expand the duties and responsibilities of the Board. The Board's responsibilities now include oversight of the projects they approve.

 

The Design-Build method of construction places the design and construction of a project with one entity. This method provides for a single point of responsibility for quality, cost, and schedule adherence. The owner is able to focus on the scope and needs for the project and allows for timely decision-making, rather than coordinate between designer and builder. With design and construction personnel working as a team, they can evaluate alternative materials and methods efficiently and accurately and can lead to cost savings. Because the design and construction overlap and the bidding periods and redesign are eliminated, total design and construction can be significantly reduced.

 

When the Board is reviewing construction projects that tend to utilize the design-build method of construction, they must assure that the projects meet the criteria stated in West Virginia Code §5-22A-5. There must be a need for the project design and construction timeline to be faster than the traditional design-bid-build process would allow. The project must require close coordination of design and construction expertise or an extreme amount of coordination. Additionally, the agency requires early cost commitments and must have funding for the project in place at the time of application.

 

The Design-Build Board is made up of nine members who are appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate. The members consist of two licensed contractors, one licensed architect, one licensed professional engineeer, the Secretary of Administration (ex officio), one representative from labor, and three members of the public at large. The Board members serve three year terms.

 

For more information regarding the Design-Build Procurement Act, please review the governing laws in this Web site or contact Donna Lipscomb at 304-558-3392.