School Construction

California Legislature expands design-build for schools

Sept. 11, 2015

The California Legislature recently passed AB 1358 authorizing school districts, until 2025, to procure design-build contracts for public works projects in excess of $1 million. 

The bill also authorizes school districts to award design-build contracts to either the low bid or the best value bidder. Gov. Jerry Brown, who has signed two design-build friendly bills that have been sent to his desk this session, will now review the proposal.

Existing law allowed school districts to use design-build until 2020 for projects exceeding $2.5 million. “It is a big win for local school districts and taxpayers,” said DBIA’s Director of State/Local Legislative Affairs, Richard Thomas. “Passage of AB 1358 ends the arbitrary threshold on small design-build projects, saving local governments time and money in delivery of their projects.” 

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