RFPs: Selecting the Design-Builder - Design-Build for Water and Wastewater Projects - page 186

The use of DB and the laws defining its use vary by state, city, and independent utili-
ties. In general, these laws define the approach and means of procurement of DB services
(DBIA 2010a). Some of the laws and regulations define when and how DB can be used
based on the funding source. Some states require payment of a stipend to losing teams
in DB procurement. Other laws govern the involvement of owner's consultants, such as
independent engineers. Lastly, some laws dictate whether the procurement process can
be a single or two-step process. Chapter 4 contains information about the legal status of
DB in states.
KEY ELEMENTS OF AN RFP
The RFP document should outline not only the owner's project drivers and organizational
values but also project-specific information and requirements. Clear and concise submit-
tal requirements and evaluation criteria must be provided, and the RFP should outline the
format of the proposals to be received to assure that proposers address all of the relevant
matters for the project.
Typical contents of an RFP are:
• Introduction
• Project Background
• Description of the Scope of Work
• Qualifications
• Technical Requirements
• Proposal Contents
• Procurement Process and Schedule
• Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
• Contract Principles, Preliminary Risk Matrix, and Related Commercial Issues
Table 15-1 outlines some of the main topics to be covered in an RFP and indicates
which are commonly used with the different procurement approaches (e.g., QBS, BVS).
Because qualifications are typically included in a BVS, they are included in Table 15-1. For
a QBS, no RFP is used; however, the SOQ will contain many of the topics shown in Table
15-1, except for the proposal contents and some of the commercial items (e.g., stipend)
that are listed. DBIA (2010a) also outlines content for RFPs.
For large DB projects, where the procurement is based on a fixed price (i.e., stipu-
lated or lump sum), the RFP oftentimes includes three volumes: Volume I—Proposal
Requirements and Process; Volume II—Draft DB Contract; and, Volume III—Technical
Requirements.
RFP Introduction
The RFP includes a brief summary of the project in the Introduction section. This sec-
tion highlights the main infrastructure components of the project and the main goals
and objectives of the owner. Effectively communicating a project's key drivers, deliv-
ery requirements, and procurement regulations enables prospective proposers to better
understand an owner's expectations for a project. The more detail that is provided in the