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Improved project delivery for public works
Since DDC was first authorized to use design-build delivery in 2019 under the Public Works Investment Act, we have awarded over $14 billion in design-build contracts that leverage industry best practices and lessons learned to attract world-class designers and builders. With the law expanded in 2024 to authorize CM-build and progressive design-build on certain types of work, our program is expanding, growing stronger, and demonstrating tangible results – including years of time savings.
Alternative Delivery leverages collaboration to complete projects faster and more efficiently. By allowing the designer, builder, and City to work together earlier in the process, Alternative Delivery offers a collaborative and efficient approach that reduces risk and gets needed public facilities opened faster. This approach better leverages the expertise of our design and construction partners, benefiting our sponsor agencies and the New Yorkers who rely on our projects.
An entirely new way of doing business with DDC
Alternative Delivery contracts are awarded via best value selection, evaluating teams based on their technical approach, qualifications, project experience, and cost. With clear project performance requirements established early in the process, our Alternative Delivery teams can deliver public assets that are inspiring, enduring, maintainable, and exemplary of the agency’s Design and Construction Excellence program - on schedule and on budget.
Alternative Delivery requires collaboration and teamwork
The program is very different from the City’s traditional method of awarding separate design and construction contracts.
- In Design-Build, a single entity is responsible for both design and construction.
- In CM-Build, the City holds a design contract and onboards a construction manager that holds the construction contracts.
The improved coordination of both delivery methods promotes cost-control, constructability, and quality.
Alternative Delivery Opportunities
Alternative Delivery uses a two-step procurement process to select vendors. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is the first part of the vendor selection process. In response to the RFQ, respondents provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to demonstrate their ability to undertake the project. DDC ranks the SOQs to identify a short list of the most highly qualified respondents based on general capability, qualifications, experience, and past performance. Only short-listed firms will advance to the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase. Visit Current Opportunities for open RFQs.
At the RFP phase, DDC will release detailed project requirements and the draft contract. Once the short list is published, other firms that have not been involved in the RFQ process will have an opportunity to partner with teams on the list. During the in-market phase, DDC may conduct Collaborative Dialogue Meetings (CDM) with the proposers to advance shared understanding of project scope, delivery approach, and issues related to schedule and budget. These confidential meetings are intended to reduce risk for both parties and promote clarity leading up to proposal submission. Review Active Procurements for published short-listed vendors.
Continued commitment to minority and women-owned firms
Alternative Delivery dramatically expands the City’s ability to engage M/WBEs and local workforce, with clear results: DDC’s M/WBE utilization rate for design-build and CM-build projects is two times higher than the rate for low-bid contracts.
DDC’s Alternative Delivery program encourages participation by City- and State-certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) firms. DDC sets M/WBE participation goals at 30 percent for both the design and construction phases with standardized disaggregated goals to address “the disparity within the disparity.” Using best value selection, DDC evaluates teams on both their past performance and proposed approach to engaging M/WBEs, as well as other factors. Early partnership among the designer, builder, and agency also means that engagement starts earlier, with more transparency into subcontracting.
Find dedicated resources for M/WBEs here.
With ongoing support by State legislators, Alternative Delivery will continue at DDC for years to come
DDC continues to advocate to extend and expand the use of Alternative Delivery.In 2019, the New York City Public Works Investment Act (PWIA) first authorized DDC and other City agencies to use design-build on certain projects. The legislation has been extended through 2029.
In 2024, the PWIA was expanded to authorize DDC to use progressive design-build on resiliency infrastructure projects and CM-Build on libraries and cultural institutions on City-owned land. This expanded toolkit allows DDC greater procurement flexibility and the ability to select the best delivery method on a project-by-project basis.
Project Labor Agreements for Alternative Delivery Projects
The enabling legislation requires the use of a project labor agreement (PLA) for all Alternative Delivery contracts. All subcontractors performing construction work must comply with the PLA.
The City of New York and the Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) of Greater New York have been parties to various PLAs since 2009. These PLAs are an important component of the City's completion and delivery of public works by establishing consistent works rules across construction projects, reducing the administrative burden and costs on construction agencies, and providing opportunities for City residents and businesses. The recent PLAs also increase opportunities and add flexibility for Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs).
For more information on PLAs, please visit the Project Labor Agreements page on the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services website
City of New York Design-Build Program Progress Report