To enhance project efficiency and explore innovative, cost-effective delivery solutions, future NDOT projects are being assessed for the potential to utilize Alternative Project Delivery Methods (APDM)—including Design-Build (DB), Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC), Collaborative Design-Build, and Public-Private Partnerships (P3). These approaches offer greater flexibility and integration compared to the traditional Design-Bid-Build (DBB) method, helping to bring complex, large-scale projects online faster than ever before.

While not suitable for all projects, the opportunities for overall project cost savings, reduced design and construction schedules, earlier and more reliable procurement of materials and products, and single-source contracting can provide significant benefits for NDOT and the public when applied to the right projects.. The decision to use APDM is made through a series of key considerations weighing risks and benefits with project stakeholders. 

The primary distinction between alternative delivery methods and the traditional approach is early involvement of the contractor during preconstruction activities. In a traditional Design-Bid-Build model, an architect or engineer designs the project, and a contractor is later hired through a bidding process to build it. This early involvement is most useful on complex projects as it has been shown to:

• Lead to greater collaboration between public and private sectors

• Enhance risk mitigation

• Accelerated project delivery

• Increased industry collaboration

• Greater cost and schedule certainty

• Technical innovation 

• Improved project life-cycle costs and/or quality