What the Growth of P3s Means for Design-Builders
Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) are gaining traction across North America as infrastructure needs grow and Owners search for delivery models that balance financing, risk and long-term operations. While design-build continues to lead the way in collaborative delivery, P3 has emerged as a tool many Owners are turning to for their largest and most complex projects.
With 36 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, having enacted enabling legislation for P3s in transportation, it’s clear this model is becoming part of the mainstream conversation. And as P3s increasingly support not just roads and bridges but also energy infrastructure, student housing and research facilities, professionals who understand how P3 complements design-build will stand out.
As P3 expands, design-build practitioners need to be prepared to navigate both models. Projects that once would have been delivered through design-build alone are increasingly moving into the P3 space, and the ability to navigate both models can be a differentiator for firms and professionals alike.
Learn from Industry Leaders
That’s why DBIA is offering an important opportunity to explore P3 fundamentals in a way that’s tailored to the design-build community. On September 24, DBIA will present Introduction to P3 for Design-Build Practitioners as part of our Design-Build Delivers Webinar series. This one-hour session will cut through the jargon to explain how P3 compares to traditional design-build, what risks and financing structures make it distinct and why understanding this delivery model can expand your professional toolkit.
The program will feature two industry leaders with unparalleled experience in both design-build and P3. Together, they bring the perspective of both public- and private-sector leadership to a conversation many practitioners need right now.
Steven DeWitt, PE, DBIA, helped launch the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) design-build program and led its first P3 procurement before moving to ACS Infrastructure Development, Inc. where he now drives U.S. business development.
Matt Girard, DBIA, COO of Plenary Americas USA Ltd., brings 30 years in heavy-civil delivery, including billions of dollars in design-build projects and more than a decade at the forefront of P3 efforts in the U.S. and Canada.
Why Attend?
Attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of how P3 procurement works, how risks and responsibilities shift compared to design-build and how smaller and local businesses can find opportunities within P3 frameworks.
Participants will also earn 1.0 Continuing Education Hour (CEH). Registration is free for DBIA members and just $25 for non-members.
This September session also serves as the perfect primer for DBIA’s full-day P3 for Design-Builders course on November 4 in Las Vegas, held in advance of the 2025 Design-Build Conference & Expo. Together, the webinar and course provide a path for design-build professionals to expand their knowledge and confidently engage in the P3 conversation that is shaping the future of project delivery.
Register for the September 24 session and take the next step in broadening your delivery expertise.
