Limited by design: Who is authorized for design-build and who is not?

Gov. Andrew Cuomo touts design-build as the magic bullet that brought the new Tappan Zee Bridge “from dysfunction to construction in just 14 months.” The design-build procurement method is where contractors submit bids to design and build large infrastructure projects at the same time instead of having separate bids, and it’s been credited by some as a way to save time and taxpayer money. Opponents think it limits the state’s say in design – and pre-empts state jobs. Because of that, its use is limited to certain agencies, despite annual pushes to expand it. Here’s who can use it, and who’s not allowed.

Authorized for design-build

• State Thruway Authority
• State Bridge Authority
• State Department of Transportation
• State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
• State Department of Environmental Conservation
• Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

RELATED: Talking transportation infrastructure with state lawmakers

Projects approved for design-build in the 2017 budget

• Frontier Town (Urban Development Corporation)
• Life Sciences Laboratory (UDC and state Dormitory Authority)
• Whiteface Transformative Projects (New York state Olympic Regional Development Authority)
• Gore Transformative Projects (NYSORDA)
• Belleayre Transformative Projects (NYSORDA)
• Mount Van Hoevenberg Transformative Projects (NYSORDA)
• State Fair Revitalization Projects (Office of General Services)
• State Police Forensic Laboratory (OGS)

But it’s not for everyone – bills to authorize these agencies for design-build have died in committee

• NYC Department of Design and Construction
• NYC Department of Environmental Protection
• NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
• NYC Department of Transportation
• NYC Health + Hospitals
• NYC Housing Authority
• NYC School Construction Authority
• State Office of General Services
• State Dormitory Authority
• City University Construction Fund