North Carolina Authorizes State and Local Government Agencies to Pursue Design-Build and Public-Private Partnership Project Delivery

Washington, D.C., Sept. 6, 2013

Passage of HB 857 Paves the Way for Qualifications-Based Selection

One of the nation’s most progressive design-build laws has been signed into law by the Governor of North Carolina (HB 857) to grant state and local government authorization to pursue design-build and public-private partnership project delivery. In addition, passage of the law is a great step forward for qualifications-based selection in the state.

Previously, local municipalities were required to seek state legislative approval prior to pursuing design-build contracts. This process significantly delayed projects across the state of North Carolina, costing communities valuable financial resources.

“The passage of HB 857 is great news for the state of North Carolina and for the country,” said Richard Thomas, the State/Local Legislative Affairs Director for the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). “Expanding authority to the local level provides communities with an expanded project delivery and financial toolbox to deliver projects. It also provides vital opportunities for small- and mid-sized companies to now compete for opportunities to work on projects to build and shape the North Carolina of tomorrow.”

North Carolina joins Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Virginia as the most progressive states in the nation to advance the building and design industry.

Design-build project delivery is an integrated approach that offers design and construction services under one contract with a single point of responsibility. Across the country and around the world, the design-build method successfully delivers office buildings, schools, stadiums, transportation and water infrastructure projects with superior results. Benefits include faster delivery, cost savings and better quality than through traditional contracting methods. A single entity decreases owners’ administrative burden and allows them to focus on successfully delivering the project, rather than managing separate contracts. The approach also reduces their risk and results in fewer litigation claims for all parties involved.