Design-Build

The U.S. Army’s October 2026 construction reform initiative aims to deliver projects up to 50% faster and at 30% lower cost through design-build, modular construction, and expanded OTA use. The shift could create opportunities in military construction and repair—including $315 million in Coast Guard work at Base Kodiak—while increasing contractor schedule, design, and cost exposure.

The USACE Charleston District will host a November 19, 2026, in-person listening session to gather contractor case studies and feedback on acquisition strategies and collaborative project delivery. This is market research—not a solicitation—and participation is capped at four organizations; registration closes November 12 or earlier if capacity fills.

Granite Construction reported a record $7.5 billion backlog and third-quarter revenue growth of 23%, with approximately $1.3 billion tied to federal work. The contractor expects to pursue billions in federal opportunities over the next several years, including military construction using flexible delivery methods authorized by the 2026 NDAA.

The USACE Los Angeles District will host November industry days in Las Vegas and Long Beach to outline five planned OTA design-and-construction opportunities at Air Force and Space Force installations. Contractors can learn about anticipated two-step qualifications and pitch processes and delivery methods, but formal solicitations will control requirements; some networking and feedback sessions require separate submissions or RSVPs.

GAO dismissed Encon DesbuildJV4, LLC’s protest over phase-one selection in a FAR subpart 36.3 design-build procurement because the post-selection briefing was not a legally required debriefing. The decision reinforces that offerors generally have 10 calendar days from when they knew or should have known a protest basis, and solicitation references to FAR Part 15 do not necessarily extend that deadline.

The MTA has started a $1.9 billion design-build project to replace 1930s-era signals across 42 track miles of A and C service with Communications-Based Train Control. Awarded to L.K. Comstock & Railworks in December 2025, the closed procurement offers a reference point for future MTA work, while a separate $5.4 billion signal-modernization investment may support later opportunities.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Fort Worth District plans to issue a progressive design-build solicitation for the Akeroyd Blood Donor Center at Fort Sam Houston, using Other Transaction Authority for Construction under 10 U.S.C. 2808a. The announcement signals an upcoming federal construction opportunity, but firms must consult the PIEE notice and referenced attachment for scope, industry-day registration, and other participation details.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded HITT Contracting a design-build contract aimed at renovating and modernizing its utility plant in Maryland. The contract has a maximum ceiling of **$600 million** over five years, creating new opportunities for suppliers involved in construction and design services.