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“ New York City, for example, is such a major metropolitan area with so much need for infrastructure improvement, but it was only in 2018 when the area received designbuild authority, with the NYC Department of Design and Construction( NYC DDC) completing their first design-build project in 22 months. This was less than half the time expected under the old low-bid system, with cost savings reported as $ 12.9 million. Not one cent of the $ 9.5 million contingency fund was touched. NYC DDC recently reported that the city is saving 50 years of project time and $ 1.4 billion on 42 current capital projects that are using design-build. This has been compared to similar scope and size projects undertaken using the old method. So, the city is sold on the design-build concept, which is its delivery method of choice. This is a compelling example of the power of design-build,” she enthuses. amid pandemic challenges. It formed a robust integrated project team with key stakeholders, ensuring that diverse perspectives were considered. Structured partnering sessions, feedback loops and an executive steering committee, maintained alignment and strategic vision.
“ NREL made sure that its requirements were written in performance-based specs for the contract because that’ s key to designbuild too,” she adds.“ Prescriptive specs don’ t leave room for innovation, so it’ s important
Comprehensive education
Alongside conferences and events, DBIA hosts its Design-Build Project / Team Awards, the winners of which set themselves apart in the industry as the nation’ s best designbuild projects and teams. The awards honor the teams and projects that raise the bar and demonstrate what Design-Build Done Right ® can achieve.
“ To even qualify to enter,” Lisa elaborates,“ a project must be on or ahead of schedule, on or under budget and exceeding owner expectations. All the projects are great, but we look for the best of the best. One such project was the National Renewable Energy Laboratory( NREL) which won the Enlightened Owner award.”
With 15 years of using firm fixed-price performance-based design-build, NREL has continuously evolved its methodology, applying lessons learned and best practices. This expertise allowed it to deliver the Research and Innovation Laboratory( RAIL) project on time and within budget, even
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