The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) has released what it claims to be the first and only full set of warranty bonds, proposal bonds, and payment and performance bonds that are specifically crafted for design-build projects.
A task force within the Washington-based DBIA, chaired by G. William Quatman, the general counsel for Burns and McDonnell, worked over the past year on forms that are tailored to this sector. The coauthors of the forms include designers and builders. The National Association of Surety Bond Producers and the Surety & Fidelity Association of America have endorsed the documents.
The new family of bond forms includes a Proposal Bond (610), a Warranty Bond (615), and three sets of Payment and Performance Bonds for Design-Builders (620 and 625), Contractors (640 and 645), and Subcontractors (630 and 635).
“Mirroring the design-build philosophy, DBIA’s family of contract documents is reflective of our diverse membership base representing the needs of both public and private owners, general and specialty contractors, architects, consultants, and engineers,” says Lisa Washington, the Institute’s Executive Director and CEO. “They are written to guide success for the entire project team – owners and practitioners alike.”
A spokesperson for the Institute, Geoff Corey, tells BD+C that his organization focuses primarily on nonresidential activities. “So these forms would be of real interest to [AEC] firms doing design-build commercial or government projects.”
He also points out that many AEC firms that don’t specialize in design-build enter these projects through joint ventures and LLCs, or are hired subcontractors. “They would probably be interested in using these model forms since they’ve been created for design-build projects,” says Corey.
DBIA states that the advantage of these documents is that they offer one solicitation, one award, and one contract to administer. The documents are also adaptable to a project team’s characteristics.
The bond forms, as well as other contract and consent forms are available on DBIA’s website.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment shrinks in 325 of nation’s 337 largest metro areas
All but 12 communities nationwide saw declines in construction employment between September 2008 and 2009 according to a new analysis of metropolitan area employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. That analysis found more construction jobs were lost in Phoenix (35,100) than in any other city in America.
| Aug 11, 2010
Architecture Billings Index flat in May, according to AIA
After a slight decline in April, the Architecture Billings Index was up a tenth of a point to 42.9 in May. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Free-span solar energy system installed at REM Eyewear headquarters
The first cable-suspended free-span solar energy system was completed today over the REM Eyewear headquarters parking lot in Sun Valley, Calif. The patented, cable-supported photovoltaic system created by P4P Energy is expected to generate 40,877 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, enough to power five to six single family homes and to prevent 1.5 million pounds of carbon from being released into the atmosphere.
| Aug 11, 2010
Architecture Billings Index drops to lowest level since June
Another stall in the recovery for the construction industry as the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped to its lowest level since June. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI rating was 41.7, down slightly from 43.1 in July. This score indicates a decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment declined in 333 of 352 metro areas in June
Construction employment declined in all but 19 communities nationwide this June as compared to June-2008, according to a new analysis of metropolitan-area employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The analysis shows that few places in America have been spared the widespread downturn in construction employment over the past year.
| Aug 11, 2010
RTKL names Lance Josal president and CEO
Lance K. Josal FAIA has been named President and CEO of RTKL Associates Inc., the international planning, design and engineering firm. Josal succeeds RTKL’s current President and CEO, David C. Hudson AIA, who is retiring from the firm. The changes will take effect on 1 September 2009.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Hensel Phelps among the nation's 50 largest design-build contractors
A ranking of the Top 50 Design-Build Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Balfour Beatty agrees to acquire Parsons Brinckerhoff for $626 million
Balfour Beatty, the international engineering, construction, investment and services group, has agreed to acquire Parsons Brinckerhoff for $626 million. Balfour Beatty executives believe the merger will be a major step forward in accomplishing a number of Balfour Beatty’s objectives, including establishing a global professional services business of scale, creating a leading position in U.S. civil infrastructure, particularly in the transportation sector, and enhancing its global reach.