DBIA launches federal QBS blueprint for design-build projects

DBIA has released a new guide to help federal agencies apply qualifications-based selection inside the current FAR framework for design-build procurement. The resource comes as agencies expand use of progressive design-build and other collaborative delivery methods. Why it matters: - Federal agencies are looking for procurement methods that better fit complex projects and collaborative delivery models. - DBIA’s new resource is meant to help owners use qualifications-based selection without waiting for a full rewrite of federal procurement rules. - The guide could affect how agencies balance project complexity, price, risk and collaboration on future design-build jobs. What happened: - DBIA released Qualifications-Based Selection Blueprint for Federal Design-Build Projects: A Design-Build Done Right® Deeper Dive. - The resource is aimed at federal agencies, especially federal owners working under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. - DBIA made the Deeper Dive available for free in the DBIA Bookstore. The details: - The guide explains how agencies can apply qualifications-based selection principles within the current federal acquisition environment. - It focuses on progressive design-build and other collaborative delivery approaches. - It references expanded authority under Section 2809 of the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorized the Department of Defense to use accelerated design-build and progressive design-build procedures for military construction projects. - The resource outlines approaches including Highest Technically Rated with a Fair and Reasonable Price and phased acquisition. - It also addresses contract structure, risk allocation, preconstruction services, pricing milestones and Fixed Price Incentive (Successive Targets) contracts. - The guide highlights early planning, internal alignment, effective collaboration and a clear understanding of the owner’s role throughout the project lifecycle. Between the lines: - DBIA is pushing a practical, project-by-project view of procurement reform rather than a purely policy-driven one. - The emphasis on QBS suggests the organization sees qualifications and collaboration as better tools than price-only selection for complex federal work. - The planned AI tutorial points to an effort to make federal acquisition guidance easier to use in day-to-day project decisions. What’s next: - DBIA is developing a companion AI tutorial to explain FAR nuances in plain language and connect related authorities. - The tutorial is meant to help practitioners apply the guidance to specific agency and project contexts. - DBIA also says the resource is part of a broader expanding library of Design-Build Done Right® materials as design-build grows across federal, state and local markets. - DBIA is featuring the topic in the latest Design-Build Delivers podcast episode with David Triplett and Laura Stagner, FAIA, NAC, DBIA. The bottom line: - DBIA is giving federal owners a working blueprint for bringing qualifications-based selection into design-build procurement under existing rules.