Federal

Federal Advocacy

DBIA works to expand the use of design-build and Design-Build Done Right® among federal agencies and military services to deliver exemplary projects. We advocate for improved and efficient federal procedures both in the design-build project delivery arena and the broader federal AEC space. Further, we support federal investment to continue improving our nation’s infrastructure.

Federal Design-Build Symposium

DBIA’s Federal Design-Build Symposium brings together key players from federal agencies, military services, representatives from public agencies utilizing federal funding, and leaders from the design and construction industry. It is the nation’s only design-build event for the federal sector and public agencies utilizing federal funding.

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Federal Sector Best Practices

This guide, updated in 2023, provides best practices, techniques and Design-Build Done Right® tools to help teams navigate federal project delivery. It’s vital to understand the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and what it allows and/or precludes, to deliver a successful design-build project in the federal sector. These Best Practices are backed up with specific references to FAR and Office of Management and Budget and Office of Federal Procurement Policy documents, assuring they can be applied to federal projects.

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Resources for Owners

DBIA’s Owner members lead our industry by utilizing design-build to deliver our nation’s most innovative and resilient projects across all sectors. View our numerous Owner tools and resources to help you succeed when using design-build.

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Debunking Myths

Despite design-build’s impressive growth from what was once considered an alternative project delivery method to one that is now more mainstream, there are still many myths surrounding design-build, and it’s important to dispel them by providing the facts. Read some of the most common myths we often hear.

View Design-Build Myths & Facts Download Myths & Facts One-Sheet

See these additional resources or federal-specific myths and facts:

• “Myth-Busting”: Addressing Misconceptions to Improve Communication with Industry during the Acquisition Process (February 2, 2011)
• “Myth-Busting 2”: Addressing Misconceptions and Further Improving Communication During the Acquisition Process (May 7, 2012)
• “Myth-Busting 3”: Further Improving Industry Communication with Effective Debriefings (January 5, 2017)
• “Myth-Busting 4” – Strengthening Engagement with Industry Partners through Innovative Business Practices (April 30, 2019)

Working Together

DBIA is an active member of a coalition, including the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), national surety associations and several other organizations, working to improve federal project delivery both in the legislative and regulatory arenas. DBIA also regularly works with other organizations on a broad range of federal issues, including infrastructure investment.