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File #: 2025-4547    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Non-Consent Status: Reported to Board
File created: 10/2/2025 In control: OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
On agenda: 10/22/2025 Final action:
Title: PROGRESSIVE DESIGN BUILD PROJECT AWARD AUTHORIZATION
Sponsors: Mike Dorman
Attachments: 1. Agenda Report, 2. Presentation
Related files: 2025-4465
FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Mike Dorman, Director of Engineering

SUBJECT:

title
PROGRESSIVE DESIGN BUILD PROJECT AWARD AUTHORIZATION
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION

recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:

Provide direction to develop a Resolution of the Board of Directors for future consideration that will delegate to the General Manager the ability to amend contracts of selected design-builders, after the total Progressive Design-Build contract amount and initial Phase 1 Design contract are approved by the Board.
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BACKGROUND

Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) is beginning to utilize the Progressive Design-Build (PDB) contracting model to execute a maximum of ten PDB projects, each greater than $5 million in construction value, in accordance with Senate Bill 278. PDB projects have a minimum of two contract phases. Phase 1 includes preliminary design, budget development, and negotiation of a guaranteed maximum price (GMP). Phase 2 includes final design, construction, and project delivery under the agreed-upon GMP. Some projects may have early procurement and/or early start contracts.

RELEVANT STANDARDS

* Ensure the public's money is wisely spent
* Sound engineering and accounting practices, complying with local, state, and federal laws
* Comply with Government Code Section 22185 of the Public Contracting Code (PCC, Division 2, Part 3, Chapter 4.7)

PROBLEM

Under the current procedure, the Board will approve the award of the Phase 1 Design contract for the Design-Builder (DB). At the end of Phase 1 (typically 60% design), the DB will develop a GMP. This price will then be negotiated, and a contract will be awarded to execute Phase 2. It takes approximately three months to go to the Board for contract approval. The time required to award additional contracts to the DB will result in a pause in the DB's work.

PROPOSED SOLUTION

Create a process where the Board approves the overall PDB contract amount, awa...

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