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Advantages/Disadvantages of Each Project Delivery Method 35
Current regulations require that the agencies work closely with FTA, which may cause some
delay. The FTA had some problems with the first generation of DB projects. Currently, most of
these problems have been resolved, and the agency has matured in dealing with DB projects. The
environmental permitting process, however, can be problematic. For example, in a commuter
rail project [Greenbush Commuter Rail], a major cause of delay was that the owner had left the
obtaining of environmental permits to the constructor, a task for which the DB contractor was
ill equipped. This caused a delay of more than a year.
DBOM
Concerns with DBOM are similar to concerns with DB in relation to FTA/EPA regulations.
Issue 18: Stakeholder/Community Input
The opportunities afforded by a particular delivery method to an owner for coping with com-
munity inputs are discussed below. A delivery method should leverage stakeholder and commu-
nity input as much as possible to achieve project goals in a meaningful and transparent fashion.
DBB
The separation of design and construction phases in DBB gives an owner more time and
opportunity to get stakeholders' and communities' inputs to project design and incorporate their
expectations into the project scope before the commencement of the construction phase. This
characteristic of DBB can lengthen the project preconstruction phase and cause delays in the
project.
CMR
The CM is on board during design in CMR and can help the owner negotiate with stake-
holders and understand their expectations while pushing the project forward. Additionally,
community outreach and public information can be made part of the CMR's preconstruction
service package. Depending on the CMR's experience and qualifications, this may enhance
project chances for obtaining community consent and stakeholder agreements.
DB
The owner of a transit project needs to get all the important input from stakeholders before
issuing an RFP because changes in the project after that are difficult and costly. On the other
hand, after the contract award, DB contractors have sometimes been able to handle community
pressure more effectively than state agencies [T-REX]. Additionally, the agency can require the
DB contractor to include a public information and outreach program in the project to facilitate
stakeholder input during design and construction.
DBOM
This delivery method decreases the decision points and covers a longer period of time in the
project lifecycle. This characteristic makes preconstruction negotiations between owners and
stakeholders more complex. The DBOM contractor may be able to push through the construc-
tion phase and handle community pressures more effectively. At this point, there is little evidence
to show how this issue will be coped with in DBOM projects.
Lifecycle Issues
This section looks at the project delivery methods in a long-term, post-construction context.
Lifecycle issues are those issues that impact not only the maintainability of a project and the cost
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36 A Guidebook for the Evaluation of Project Delivery Methods
of operation and maintenance, but also the sustainable design and construction goals that are
starting to emerge as measures of an agency's commitment to the environment.
Issue 19: Lifecycle Costs
The opportunities or barriers that each delivery method provides with regard to lifecycle costs
are discussed below.
DBB
The owner is in control of design and quality and can tailor these to a project's long-term life-
cycle goals.
CMR
The owner keeps almost the same level of control over the design of the project as in DBB and
also benefits from constructor's advice regarding future costs of the project.
DB
The owner needs to watch out for increasing project lifecycle costs mainly because the design-
builder has a motive to decrease the initial costs of the project to bring it down to the agreed
upon amount regardless of possible increases in the future operation and maintenance costs of
the facility.
DBOM
In this delivery method, the constructor is in charge of operating and maintaining the built
facility. Transferring the responsibility of long-term operation and maintenance to a private con-
structor creates opportunities to leverage private-sector expertise and to realize lifecycle cost
reduction by integrating delivery activities and private-sector efficiencies (Garvin 2003, FTA
2006). There are usually provisions in a DBOM contract that motivate the constructor to keep
the operation and maintenance cost at the lowest possible amount. The DBOM delivery method
is primarily used for financial purposes in countries other than the United States and has been
the most suitable delivery method for public owners when the project initial costs are beyond
the available funding resources (Harrington-Hughes 2002)
Issue 20: Maintainability
Maintainability is affected by the choice of delivery method in two different areas: level of
quality and ease of maintenance.
DBB
In DBB, the owner can check the maintainability of the finished design before awarding the
project. Having checkpoints in the design phase can help the owner ensure the design quality of
the end product.
CMR
The owner of a CMR project can benefit from all the advantages of DBB and also the con-
structor's advice on maintenance of the end product if the constructor has previously operated
similar facilities.
DB
As quality control is transferred to the design-builder in DB and the details of the design are
not known at the time that the project is awarded, many owners have some concerns about the
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Advantages/Disadvantages of Each Project Delivery Method 37
maintainability and quality of the end product. This has led some owners to require multiyear
warranties from DB contractors.
DBOM
This delivery method works much like DB; however, as operation and maintenance are
included in the contract and the constructor is in charge of operating the facility after it is
built, the owner is less concerned about ensuring the quality and maintainability of the end
product.
Issue 21: Sustainable Design Goals
Sustainable design is becoming ever more important in achieving sustainability goals for
projects. The effect of delivery method on the sustainability of project designs is the focus of
this discussion.
DBB
In DBB, the owner has a clear opportunity to define sustainable design intent and shape social
and environmental impact. This method provides opportunities to promote and enhance sus-
tainable design criteria by allowing for materials research and the development of strategic stake-
holder input. One drawback may be that the ultimate operation and maintenance personnel for
the project could be unfamiliar with the operational requirements for sustainable systems, but
this is an issue that can be resolved with careful planning.
CMR
In CMR, the owner has a unique opportunity to realize the economic returns of sustainable
systems performance as well as using sustainability as an evaluation factor for the selection of a
builder. The design schedule could, however, outlive systems performance criteria and impact
public participation, limiting social equity issues.
DB
This project delivery method can result in an inherent coordination of design and performance
with potential for accelerated economic returns for sustainable systems performance by shorten-
ing the project schedule. The owner has an opportunity to use multiple design-builders to pres-
ent innovative designs that are consistent with clearly defined sustainability criteria. The owner
can clearly articulate expectations regarding sustainability by assigning weight to sustainability in
relation to other factors in the DB evaluation plan. The design schedule could, however, impact
public participation, thereby raising social equity issues. Due to the normally time-consuming
processes associated with fulfilling municipal and state requirements for announcement and
convening of public hearings, certain sustainability measures--such as wetlands mitigation and
avoidance of undeveloped areas--raise concerns for eminent domain and brown fields redevel-
opment, which can impact time performance.
DBOM
DBOM can realize accelerated economic returns for sustainable systems performance since
the owner/operator has an inherent bias toward minimizing operations and maintenance life-
cycle costs. The compressed timeframes could, however, impact public participation, raising
social equity issues. Furthermore, operation and maintenance personnel may be unfamiliar with
sustainable systems requirements. For example, materials may require alternate maintenance
procedures or systems controls may incorporate technologies requiring specialized training that
may be beyond the scope of the initial proposal.
