FAULTY DESIGNS WILL LEAD TO DESIGN-BUILD

A 1996 report by the Office of Program Policy and Analysis in Government Accountability discussing the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) performance in controlling cost overruns and delays revealed that 62% of the overruns and delays were attributed to errors and omissions, 25% were attributed to breakdowns in project coordination between FDOT and other entities, and the balance were attributable to problems in defining the scope of work, changes after design plans were complete, and damages to construction sites caused by extreme weather conditions. In an appendix, the office analyzed alternate contracting methods including design-build. They found several potential advantages of using design-build: clarified accountability, time savings, and lower costs. They noted that two potential drawbacks would include the potential of increased contract costs based on the higher risk that the contractors face for design errors and reduced competition. The report is one of many that supports construction of highway and bridge projects by the design-build method. Advocates argue that under the design-build method, the state DOT transfers the risk for design errors to the design-build entity. Advocates also argue that under the design-bid-build system, a project is developed sequentially in a slow process and that the design-bid-build system does not give contractors the opportunity to be innovative in constructability and potential cost savings. The author fears that state DOTs will choose design-build over focusing on improving the design by their consultants.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/11660022
• Corporate Authors:

  Scranton Gillette Communications

  380 E Northwest Highway, Suite 200
  Des Planes, IL  United States  60016-2282
• Authors:
  • Parvin, C
• Publication Date: 2000-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 12
• Serial:
  • Roads & Bridges
  • Volume: 38
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Scranton Gillette Communications
  • ISSN: 8750-9229
  • Serial URL: http://www.roadsbridges.com/rb/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Competitive bidding; Construction scheduling; Consultants; Contract administration; Contracting; Contractors; Cost control; Cost effectiveness; Design; Design build; Errors; Risk management; State departments of transportation; Time
• Uncontrolled Terms: Constructability
• Geographic Terms: Florida
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I10: Economics and Administration; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I50: Construction and Supervision of Construction;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00789064
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 30 2000 12:00AM