Panel reviews one-time progressive design‑build for I‑80 widening east of Sparks

Senate Bill 315, heard by the Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on 2025-05-01, would authorize the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to use a single, one-time progressive design‑build procurement to widen I‑80 between Vista Boulevard in Sparks and USA Parkway in Storey County.

Senator Skip Daley, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the procurement method combines elements of design‑build and construction‑manager‑at‑risk (CMAR) and is being proposed for this project because a federal grant supports the widening and there is a risk—Daley said small but real—that grant funding could be withdrawn if the state does not advance the project. "This procurement process will be beneficial to the swift advancement of this particular project," Daley said.

Daley walked the committee through bill provisions: sections 2–7 define terms; section 8 names the single eligible project (the I‑80 widening east of Sparks); section 9 sets advertising requirements; section 10 allows NDOT to use a one‑step or two‑step selection procedure and scoring factors; section 11 allows post‑selection negotiation toward a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and permits NDOT to revert to other proposers or bid if negotiations fail; section 12 applies Nevada prevailing wage laws, caps procurement service payments, and requires the selected contractor to self‑perform at least 30% of the work; section 12.5 imported standard language on contracting with design professionals; section 13 addresses confidentiality of trade‑secret material; section 14 authorizes architects or consultants for structures; and section 15 sets an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Industry groups and labor representatives strongly supported the bill. Eloy Hara, representing Laborers Local 169, and Jessica Ferrado of Granite Construction said the method has been used successfully in other states and could attract federal dollars. "This is a very targeted, bill specific to a project in Northern Nevada. We'll bring a lot of federal funds to the state and urge your support," Ferrado said. Firms including Kiewit, Granite and Q&D Construction described experience with progressive design‑build delivery and urged passage for this project.

NDOT testified neutral but supportive of a pilot. Pedro Rodriguez, assistant chief for project management at NDOT, said the department has studied alternative deliveries and believes a pilot progressive design‑build could create efficiencies delivering the highly complex I‑80 widening project. "We consider this bill to be revenue neutral," Rodriguez said, adding NDOT views the project as a top priority for the region.

Committee members did not take a final vote at the hearing. Supporters said the bill is narrowly drafted as a special act that will not be added to the Nevada Revised Statutes and is tailored to this single project; opponents did not appear in person or by phone.