Federal construction contractors propose reforms to federal project delivery

After a brainstorming session with 13 construction industry leaders whose companies work for 11 federal agencies, the Federal Owners Forum issued a report in an effort to spur improvements in federal construction project procurement.

The event was sponsored by The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) and the Society for American Military Engineers (SAME). Participants advocated for increased use of design-build project delivery.

“The owners at the forum discussed early knowledge of costs and appropriate allocation of risk as the two main advantages of design-build,” said Lisa Washington, Executive Director and CEO of DBIA. There was extensive discussion on the critical role of procurement professionals, especially contracting officers, in unleashing innovation and creating better projects.

“From budget constraints, to agency staff turnover, to inconsistently defined requirements, neither government nor industry can solve these and other complex challenges alone,” said SAME Executive Director, Brig. Gen. Joe Schroedel, P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.). The forum intends to host a future forum for federal procurement officers to further address these issues.