Design-Sequencing

Faster Project Delivery, Cost Savings, Public Safety
Unlike Design-Build, Retains Competitive Bidding, Protects Public Interest

Designing-sequencing is an alternative method of contracting that is safely delivering projects ahead of schedule and at a lower cost in California.  As the name suggests, design-sequencing allows the sequencing of design activities to permit each construction phase to commence when design for that particular phase is complete -- instead of requiring the design for the entire project to be complete before construction can begin.   

In California’s design-sequencing program, a contract for an entire project can be awarded with plans that are as little as 30 percent complete, allowing the contractor to work with state engineers to incorporate innovative construction methods and designs to speed up project delivery and save money.   

Design-sequencing holds a number of significant advantages over the design-build method of contracting.  Unlike design-build, design sequencing contracts are competitively bid, ensuring that taxpayers receive the best price on infrastructure and ensuring that transportation funds needed for other projects are not wasted.   

With design-sequencing, state-employed professionals design and inspect projects ensuring that public safety and the public interest are protected.  Conversely, with design-build projects, design, construction and inspection are performed by the same consortium producing a built-in incentive to complete work as quickly and as cheaply as possible to generate profits.    

To help you learn more about design-sequencing and to facilitate its use in other states, below are the California Department of Transportation’s Design-Sequencing Guidelines, a report outlining design-sequencing successes, and legislation implementing and expanding design-sequencing in California.

• Design-Sequencing Guidelines

• Fifth Annual Design-Sequencing Report

  [Please Note: No Fourth Annual Design Sequencing Report was prepared]

• Third Annual Design-Sequencing Report, Successes

• Design-Sequencing Legislation

  • SB 1210 (2004)

  • AB 2607 (2000)

  • AB 405 (1999)

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