GA Code § 32-2-81 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 4 - Exercise of Power to Contract|Part 2 - Other Contracting Methods|§ 32-2-81. Design-Build Procedure

  As used in this Code section, the term "design-build procedure" means a method of contracting under which the department contracts with another party for the party to both design and build the structures, facilities, systems, and other items specified in the contract.   The department may use the design-build procedure for projects that include buildings, bridges and approaches, rail corridors, technology deployments, and limited or controlled access projects or projects that may be constructed within existing rights of way where the scope of work can be clearly defined or when a significant savings in project delivery time can be attained.   When the department determines that it is in the best interests of the public, the department may combine any or all of the environmental services, utility relocation services, right of way services, design services, and construction phases of a public road or other transportation purpose project into a single contract using a design-build procedure. Design-build contracts may be advertised and awarded notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of Code Section 32-2-61; provided, however, that construction activities shall not begin on any portion of such projects until title to the necessary rights of way and easements for the construction of that portion of the project has vested in the state or a local governmental entity and all railroad crossing and utility agreements have been executed.   The department shall adopt by rule procedures for administering design-build contracts. Such procedures shall include, but not be limited to:   Prequalification requirements;   Public advertisement procedures;   Request for qualification requirements;   Request for proposal requirements;   Criteria for evaluating technical information and project costs;   Criteria for selection and award process, provided that the rules shall specify that the criteria for selection shall consist of the following minimum two components for any two-step procurement process:   A statement of qualifications from which the department will determine a list of qualified firms for the project, provided that, if the department determines it is in the state's best interest, it may omit this requirement and move directly to a one-step procurement process through the issuance of a request for proposal from which the department may select the lowest qualified bidder; and   From the list of qualified firms as provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, a technical proposal and a price proposal from each firm from which the department shall select the lowest qualified bidder or, in the event the department uses the best value procurement process, the request for proposal shall specify the requirements necessary for the selection of the best value proposer which shall include, at a minimum, a weighted cost component and a technical component. A proposal shall only be considered nonresponsive if it does not contain all the information and level of detail requested in the request for proposal. A proposal shall not be deemed to be nonresponsive solely on the basis of minor irregularities in the proposal that do not directly affect the ability to fairly evaluate the merits of the proposal. Notwithstanding the requirements of Code Section 36-91-21, under no circumstances shall the department use a "best and final offer" standard in awarding a contract in order to induce one proposer to bid against an offer of another proposer. The department may provide for a stipulated fee to be awarded to the short list of qualified proposers who provide a responsive, successful proposal. In consideration for paying the stipulated fee, the department may use any ideas or information contained in the proposals in connection with the contract awarded for the project, or in connection with a subsequent procurement, without obligation to pay any additional compensation to the unsuccessful proposers;     Identification of those projects that the department believes are candidates for design-build contracting; and   Criteria for resolution of contract issues. The department may adopt a method for resolving issues and disputes through negotiations at the project level by the program manager up to and including a dispute review board procedure with final review by the commissioner or his or her designee. Regardless of the status or disposition of the issue or dispute, the design-builder and the department shall continue to perform their contractual responsibilities. The department shall have the authority to suspend or provide for the suspension of Section 108 of the department's standard specifications pending final resolution of such contract issues and disputes. This paragraph shall not prevent an aggrieved party from seeking judicial review.     In contracting for design-build projects, the department shall be limited to contracting for no more than 50 percent of the total amount of construction projects awarded in the previous fiscal year.   Not later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year, the department shall provide to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and chairpersons of the House and Senate Transportation Committees a summary containing all the projects awarded during the fiscal year using the design-build contracting method. Included in the report shall be an explanation for projects awarded to other than the low-bid proposal. This report shall be made available for public information.     (Code 1981, §32-2-81, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 905, § 2; Ga. L. 2005, p. 950, § 1/HB 530; Ga. L. 2009, p. 8, § 32/SB 46; Ga. L. 2010, p. 396, § 1/SB 305; Ga. L. 2012, p. 1343, § 4/HB 817; Ga. L. 2013, p. 68, § 1/SB 70; Ga. L. 2021, p. 480, § 3/HB 588; Ga. L. 2021, p. 526, § 5/HB 577.)    The 2021 amendments.  The first 2021 amendment, effective July 1, 2021, inserted "projects that include" near the middle of subsection (b); substituted "Code Section 32-2-61; provided, however, that" for "Code Section 32-2-61. However," at the end of the second sentence of subsection (c); and substituted "low-bid proposal" for "low bid proposal" near the end of the second sentence in subsection (f). The second 2021 amendment, effective July 1, 2021, made identical changes.