Connecticut Passes UConn Design-Build Legislation

According to a recent report by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), Connecticut has taken another step toward full design-build authority with passage of legislation authorizing the University of Connecticut to use the design-build delivery method (SB 889), which will take effect July 1, 2013. The Bill, expected to become law, allows the university to select a design-builder based on qualifications, past performance, technical merit, and project cost. This marks the second major design-build bill to pass in the last two years in Connecticut. In 2012, Governor Malloy signed legislation authorizing the Department of Transportation to use the design-build delivery method.

Connecticut’s General Assembly gave final legislative approval last Wednesday to a $1.5 billion plan to expand the University of Connecticut. The Next Generation plan would use state bonds to build new labs, classrooms, and housing at the school — and allow for a 30% increase in enrollment, much of it in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields.