The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Headquarters recently issued a directive noting limitations on the use of one-step selection procedures for design-build projects. AGC has objected to the use of the one-step process because of, as USACE notes, “the high cost of proposal preparation and the limited likelihood of success when competing with dozens of offerors.” Additionally, over the years, AGC noted that the one-step process has been used for projects not authorized by statute, which USCAE recognizes.
The directive clearly states that one-step selection procedures may only be used when all of the following conditions are met:
- The planned contract is for an authorized military construction project. Typically this is a military construction (MILCON) funded project, minor MILCON funded project, or Army operations and maintenance minor new construction project less than $750,000.
- The offerors are not required to submit design products as part of their technical proposal.
- Approval to use a one-step selection procedure shall be obtained from USACE Headquarters’ Chief of Construction.