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Bill would expand WSDOT authority to use progressive contracting methods, with CPARB checks for early GCCM projects
Summary
House Bill 19-70 would authorize the Washington State Department of Transportation to use progressive design-build and GCCM delivery methods more broadly for state highway construction projects and would exempt WSDOT from repeated CPARB certification — with CPARB review required for the first three GCCM projects delivered after July 1, 2025.
House Bill 19-70 would broaden the contracting procedures WSDOT may use for state highway construction projects, authorizing the department to use progressive design-build (PDB) and general contractor–construction manager (GCCM) procedures and exempting WSDOT from repeated CPARB (Capital Projects Advisory Review Board) certification requirements — subject to initial oversight for GCCM.
Brandon Popovac, committee staff, told lawmakers that WSDOT already may use the design-build (DB) procurement for many public-works projects and can seek CPARB certification to use PDB or GCCM without project-by-project review. Under HB 19-70, WSDOT would be required to develop processes for awarding competitively bid projects using PDB or GCCM, and the bill would exempt the department from CPARB certification requirements generally. The legislation does require WSDOT to pursue CPARB approval for its first three projects delivered using GCCM after July 1, 2025, before gaining the exemption for future GCCM projects.
Representative Laurie Zahn, the bill’s prime sponsor and former CPARB chair, told the committee she supports giving WSDOT clear authority to use PDB because the department has completed multiple PDB projects and has trained staff and procedures. Zahn said WSDOT’s GCCM experience is limited — she cited a Coleman Dock project with “stickiness” — and said the three-project requirement balances accountability and operational flexibility.
Supporters told the committee the policy addresses industry concerns that locking in a guaranteed maximum price too early can push up bids or reduce contractor participation; PDB lets contracting teams work through a validation period to better define scope before final price commitments. Zahn said roughly $12 billion in progressive design-build projects have been undertaken statewide in recent years.
The fiscal note indicated no state fiscal impact from the bill; committee staff said WSDOT should develop award processes and would retain reporting and procurement obligations. Public testimony forms showed more pro than con signers; the committee recorded pro/con counts but no formal vote was taken in the hearing transcript.
Ending: Committee members asked questions about the three-project GCCM review trigger and how WSDOT demonstrates readiness; sponsors said the language was developed with WSDOT and CPARB and intended to balance accountability with the department’s operational needs.
