Lessons Learned from Progressive Design-Build Implementation on Airport Projects

Abstract

Over the last decade, with legislation changes and increased project complexity, some airports started using progressive design-build (DB) project delivery, a variation of the traditional DB model. This is because it allows owners to hire a designer-builder without a price commitment until reasonable design details are defined. This paper, thus, aims at investigating and presenting lessons learned in planning, procurement, contract formation, and management of progressive DB. The methodology incorporated a comprehensive literature review of major procurement, contractual, and legal issues pertinent to delivering airport projects using progressive DB. Ten overarching aspects were identified and were further investigated on a California terminal expansion project case study, encompassing two progressive DB contracts. Results show that owners select progressive DB for schedule compression and delayed locking of contract price reasons. Lessons learned encompassed moving project handover responsibility to the designer-builder, closely tracking and participating in the design development process, and vigilantly handling cost-saving provisions so as not to jeopardize project quality.