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County to pilot progressive design‑build on three projects; officials say process speeds delivery
Summary
GSA and a consulting presenter told the committee that newly available progressive design‑build authority will be used on an African American Wellness Hub and two Santa Rita Jail projects; staff said the one‑step RFQ process reduces time and increases bidder participation though no new funding was attached to the legislative change.
Anne Ludwig, a consultant working with Alameda County General Services Agency, briefed the committee on progressive design‑build authority recently authorized for counties. Ludwig described the method as a one‑step, qualifications‑based procurement that develops budget and criteria with users up front and then advances design in collaboration with a selected design‑build team, leading to a guaranteed maximum price once the design is sufficiently developed.
"We view this progressive design build process as a win‑win for both the county and for the design builders," Ludwig said, explaining that the approach can reduce the user department workload associated with bridging documents and can attract more bidders by avoiding an expensive design‑competition stage for firms.
GSA identified three early projects planned for this delivery method: an African American Wellness Hub (RFQ targeted for May), and two projects at the Santa Rita Jail campus — a critical operations project (building systems and infrastructure) and a full kitchen renovation. Ludwig said the critical operations work will address building management systems, fire/life safety, plumbing and some electrical work; IT planning is being coordinated with the sheriff’s IT group.
Supervisors asked whether legislative authority included funding; Ludwig and staff said the authority authorizes the delivery method only and does not include new project funding. Board counsel (Kathy Lee) confirmed the county’s ordinance now incorporates statutory informal bidding limits linked to CPI increases.
What’s next: GSA plans RFQs and procurement schedules for the identified projects and will return to the committee as projects progress. Staff said they will monitor how the guaranteed maximum price element functions in practice and whether progressive design‑build achieves faster delivery and stronger competition for county projects.
