Committee advances bill allowing limited design‑build best‑value procurement for PennDOT and Turnpike

House Bill 1608, introduced by Chairman Ed Nielsen and Chairman James Struzzi, would add a chapter to the vehicle code authorizing the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to use design‑build best‑value procurement for certain highway and bridge construction projects instead of the current low‑bid requirement.

Kyle, a committee staff member, summarized the bill's key limits: "Agencies may advertise no more than 10 one‑step procurements per calendar year, wherein the agency seeks a technical and price proposal. Agencies may advertise no more than 10 two‑step procurements per calendar year, wherein step 1 is a statement of qualifications, and step 2 is a technical and price proposal. An evaluation committee must review and score the proposals. ... Stipends are determined by the agencies on a project by project basis, and design build best value procurement may not be exercised beginning 8 years after the effective date of this chapter." The summary also listed criteria that agencies must find — project complexity, innovation potential, specialized equipment or systems, project risk, schedule, or estimated project value — before using the procurement method.

Chairman Ed Nielsen described the legislative rationale in support of the measure: "Everybody knows it can take a long time to get roads or bridge projects off the ground. Anywhere from 18 to 24 months just to get a shovel in the ground. ... Currently, PennDOT and Turnpike Commission must award road and bridge construction projects to the lowest bidder, which limits their ability to innovate, come up with new solutions and new ideas. This bipartisan sponsored legislation by rep Struzi and myself will give agencies another tool in the toolbox by allowing them to use design build best value procurement in a limited circumstances." Nielsen cited examples without proposing statutory language tied to specific projects: "... the Fern Hollow Bridge, in Pittsburgh when that collapsed, it took that kind of innovation and new ideas. It's like I 95 was rebuilt in 12 days using the design build best value." Chairman Benninghoff also urged support, calling the bill "common sense" and a way to improve efficiency.

The committee recorded no negative votes and reported the bill as committed. The transcript does not include a roll‑call vote or further floor scheduling. The bill text, as summarized in committee, includes annual caps on one‑step and two‑step procurements, an eight‑year sunset on the procurement authority, criteria for when design‑build best‑value may be used, and allowance for stipends at the agencies' discretion.

Any statutory changes created by the bill would require standard legislative adoption and would not by themselves change agency practice until implemented in agency procurement procedures.