DESIGN-BUILD
ORB has pioneered the use of the design-build process to construct
facilities for public and private agencies. In fact, the design-build
method developed by ORB served as a model for development of RCW 39.10,
which governs design-build contracting by public agencies in Washington
State. The design-build process provides the following advantages:
- Establishes a fixed project price early in the project
- Eliminates adversarial roles between the designer and the contractor
- Shortens project delivery time, allowing "fast-tracking" of design and
construction efforts
ORB prepared our first design-build contract package for Washington State University
in 1971. This package was the first project in the nation to utilize the design-build
concept in the Federal Government's HUD College Housing Program. HUD adapted the ORB
contract document as a prototype for their nationwide college housing program. Since
that time, we have refined the process and have utilized it for a number of public and
private projects.
Over the years, ORB has designed and managed a number of design-build projects ranging
from student housing and military housing, to office buildings, printing plants and
even a public broadcasting studio. ORB is a recognized expert in the preparation of
design-build Request For Proposals and the administration of design-build projects
for the public sector. The links below are examples of design-build projects that
include preparing the design-build RFPs, assisting in the selection and evaluation
of the successful bidder and overseeing the construction efforts.