The State of Connecticut Department of PublicWorks (DPW) has developed selection and bidding procedures to ensure that contracts are awarded on an impartial, equitable and rational basis, safeguarding the integrity of the process, in accordance with state law.

 

At the project development stage, DPW and the user agency jointly develop the scope and the budget, and determine the appropriate delivery method for a specific project.  This is of prime importance because it enables DPW to achieve project goals such as innovation, quality, schedule performance, cost conformance, and sustainability.  The following are the DPW project delivery methods available for the construction of all infrastructure projects.

 

 

This is the traditional option that is used to deliver a majority of DPW projects.  Architects/engineers and professional consulting contract services are selected through the applicable Qualification Based Selection (QBS) Procedures For Major Project Consultant Contracts (Formal), Task Order Consultant Contracts (On-Call), or Small Project Consultant Contracts (Informal) and a contract is awarded to develop design and construction documents that meet the goals, scope, and budget of DPW.  A Construction Administrator can be selected through the same procedures to represent DPW during construction.

 

Based on the completed construction documents, a general contractor is selected through the applicable Competitive Sealed Proposal Procedures For Major Construction Contracts (Formal) or Small Construction Contracts (Informal) where the responsible general contractor with the lowest qualified bid (cost) is awarded the contract to build the project.

 

 

The Design/Build project delivery method option is used less frequently than Design/Bid/Build.  It can only be used when it meets the feasibility criteria (below), and the DPW Commissioner designates it a Total Cost Basis Project.  The following are the feasibility criteria points for a Design/Build project:

 

The project has a clearly defined scope, design basis, and performance requirements.
The project if free from complicated issues such as utility conflicts, right-of-way acquisition, hazardous materials, wetland and environmental concerns, or other such issues.
The project has room for innovation in the design and construction.
The project is not an emergency project or a project that has overly tight time constraints.
The project involves a significant design effort and the potential to save cost and time in the design.
The project’s “Qualitative Criteria” and “Total Cost Criteria” rating scores are published in the Request for Proposals RFP.

 

When the DPW Commissioner designates a Total Cost Basis Project, the process must utilize the following Screening and Selection Procedures.

 

Design/Build Teams (General Contractor and Professional Service Consultant Architects/Engineers) compete in a QBS Design/Build Screening and a Competitive Sealed Proposal Selection based on DPW’s RFP.

 

The final design/build team is selected through the Competitive Sealed Proposal Selection procedure.  Based upon the selection procedure utilized, a Design/Builder will be selected based on their “Best Value” Proposal and contracted to design and build the facility.
 

 

 

In the Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) delivery option, there are two separate contracts: between the state and the architect, and between the state and the CMR.  The selection of a CMR is based on aspects other than total cost, and the CMR contract typically sets a guaranteed maximum price.  The CMR holds the trade contracts and takes on the performance risk.  Again, there is no contractual relationship between the CMR and the architect.

 

The CMR provides pre-construction services during the design phase, and oversees project management issues and the coordination of activities during construction.

 

Other characteristics of the CMR delivery method including overlapping design and build phases, specific contractual arrangements to define the tasks, and clear quality standards in the contract specifications.