North Carolina Authorizes State, Government Agencies to Pursue Design-Build and Public-Private Partnership Project Delivery Methods

WASHINGTON, D.C. — One of the nation's most progressive design-build laws has been signed into law by the Governor of North Carolina (HB 857) to grant state and local government authorization to pursue design-build and public-private partnership project delivery. In addition, passage of the law is a step forward for qualifications-based selection in the state.

Previously, local municipalities were required to seek state legislative approval prior to pursuing design-build contracts. This process significantly delayed projects across the state of North Carolina, costing communities valuable financial resources.

“The passage of HB 857 is great news for the state of North Carolina and for the country,” said Richard Thomas, the state/local legislative affairs director for the Design-Build Institute of America. “Expanding authority to the local level provides communities with an expanded project delivery and financial toolbox to deliver projects. It also provides vital opportunities for small- and mid-sized companies to now compete for opportunities to work on projects to build and shape the North Carolina of tomorrow.”