CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

In today's rapidly changing environment, understanding the intersection of economic trends, project delivery methods, and risk management is more critical than ever for the construction industry. This session will explore the following three interconnected topics that are shaping the industry's future: 

Economic Forecast: As the economy continues to recover and evolve in the wake of global disruptions, construction professionals must stay informed about key economic indicators that could influence project budgets, timelines, and resource availability. We'll provide insights into the latest economic trends and forecasts, focusing on how these changes are likely to impact the construction industry in the near and long term.  

Design-Build Market Trends: With shifting economic conditions, there has been a growing shift toward design-build. In this segment, we will discuss the current market trends in design-build, including market size, drivers, opportunities, and challenges.  

Managing Risk in Progressive Design-Build - Research in Progress: As design-build continues to grow in popularity, understanding how to effectively manage risk in progressive design-build contracts is paramount. This portion of the session will present research currently in progress into the unique challenges and risks associated with progressive design-build projects. You'll gain early insights into this ongoing research and its potential implications for best practices in managing risk in progressive design-build projects.

CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

This forum provides an opportunity for design-build industry practitioners to have a robust conversation about industry trends and issues, including an opportunity provide input to help DBIA lead the way to solve some of the most prevalent challenges in today's market.

CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

Chief Market Intelligence Officer for the US government and economic futurist at AndrewBusch.com. For the CFTC, he was charged with improving and enhancing the government's understanding of the markets and the economy. His job was to take all of the news, information and data on the economy and markets; and filter it into condensed, easily understood research. Andy provided economic and market briefings to White House, US House, US Senate, the SEC, the Federal Reserve Board and the US Treasury staff on a wide range of issues including extreme market volatility, China's influence on trade, and the impact of technology on the economy. Today, he's a consultant and keynoter with a wide range of clients including financial services, energy, manufacturing and construction. Andy moves people from the chaos today to confidence in the future.

CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

This presentation explores DC Water's first progressive design-build (PDB) project through a panel discussion of Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Best Practices (BPs). The panel includes four perspectives: Owner, OA, Designer, and Builder. The Owner will start with a description of the Manhole 31 Replacement Project. The project includes reconstruction of an existing structure that conveys 90mgd. Challenges include poor asset condition, requirement to maintain operation, and an environmentally sensitive site. Challenges were best managed with early collaboration that only design-build offers. Construction included three cast-in-place structures (up to 37’x24’ and 55’ deep) and vortex energy dissipation to reduce odor and corrosion. The presentation will highlight project characteristics that led the owner to choose PDB. Following the project description, each panelist will discuss the application of DBIA BPs from their perspective. Topics includes: 1) procurement processes promoting collaboration and emphasizing design-build experience, 2) approaches to risk/cost management and use of allowances/contingencies, 3) value of training, 4) facilitating timely responses, and 5) intentional collaboration protocols. As DC Water's first PDB, the MH31 project exemplified advantages of Design-Build Done Right. Following this success, attendees will hear why DC Water is transitioning their program to collaborative delivery.

CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

After a decades-long setback caused by the infamous "toilet to tap" slogan halted the City of Los Angeles's potable recycling program, LA turned the situation around. By applying lessons learned from other DB projects and embracing the PDB model, the city successfully executed a strategic, multi-agency reuse project in record time, achieving much more within the budget. Two separate City agencies, LASAN and LADWP, had to work together to budget, scope, procure and execute a $740M recycle program. Despite the significant challenges and the need for all parties to embrace risk and adopt entirely new approaches, the team managed to advance to the GMP within 19 months - a process that typically takes over three years. This achievement highlights the extraordinary effort and collaboration required from everyone involved. The specific benefits to the project included: 1. increased treatment capacity from 19 to 30 mgd, 2. unplanned piloting and water quality analysis for a more resilient design, 3. numerous architectural upgrades, transforming the building into a showcase facility, 4. Six months of comprehensive operations support for transitional operator training. An experienced team, lead with a culture of trust, were able to dramatically leverage PDB and assume more risk for enhanced results.

CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

With today's stretched and dynamic supply chain environment and the evolving regulatory landscape, lengthy procurement lead times for electrical gear and advanced water treatment process (AWTP) equipment pose significant hurdles to timely project delivery. San Francisco International Airport (SFIA) faced these challenges head-on in their mission to develop an Advanced Water Treatment and PFAS Removal Demonstration Facility. Remarkably, from initial sketches to activation, the project will be completed in just over three years. This presentation delves into how SFIA, leveraging a unique take on the incorporation of specialty electrical subcontractor in progressive Design-Build project delivery, successfully navigated the complex procurement environment. The collaborative team—comprising Walsh Construction Company (Design-Builder), Carollo Engineers (Designer), and Cupertino Electric (Core Design-Build Subcontractor)—implemented innovative strategies to mitigate long lead times and supply chain uncertainties. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge on applying progressive Design-Build methodologies to overcome procurement challenges in the water and wastewater sector. This case study not only showcases the team's success in early design and procurement but also sets a precedent for future projects facing similar market constraints. Join us to explore how SFIA's innovative delivery model can inform and inspire your next project, ensuring efficiency, collaboration, and excellence from conception to completion.

CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

The progressive design-build (PDB) delivery model is well-positioned to support the construction industry's shift to digital delivery. By integrating design and construction teams under one contract, PDB fosters collaboration and real-time communication, essential for leveraging digital tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), laser scanning, photogrammetry, and virtual and augmented reality. This presentation explores how PDB enhances digital workflows, allowing for more accurate cost estimation, improved risk management, and faster project timelines. The integrated approach reduces silos, streamlines data sharing, and enables quick adaptation to design changes. Digital platforms within PDB also promote transparency, better decision-making, and higher-quality outcomes. The discussion will highlight key advantages, challenges, and case studies that demonstrate how digital delivery within the PDB framework leads to greater efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. Practical considerations, including the need for team upskilling and software integration, will also be addressed. Ultimately, PDB and digital delivery together offer a powerful solution for achieving more effective project execution.

CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

As engineers on the Owners' side, we are trained to be risk averse and we long for certainty; so, a design-build project can be quite a challenge for us! But I would argue that beyond training there is a lot that Owners can do to help make a design-build project a success. On our side, we can identify a champion that is passionate, curious, comfortable living in the gray, and a natural team builder. We can anticipate project demands and rearrange our staff in advance. We can align support for this new design-build approach up and down the organization - from operations, to procurement, contracts, Executive Management, and the Owner's governing body. This presentation will provide real world examples of these points and more, drawing from Prince William Water's successful $200M design-build project that is in mid-construction. Yes, understanding the technical aspects of design-build are essential. But for the Owner, the first step is an honest assessment of your organization - your staff, your champion, your risk tolerance, and your organizational alignment. This presentation will also be co-presented with our design-build contracting partner who will provide examples of how Prince William Water's approach has been successful on the ground.

CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

This panel will explore the unique challenges faced by women in the construction industry, including the perspectives of owners/public agencies, contractors, and consultants, along with the pivotal role they play in transforming the sector. Despite significant progress, women remain underrepresented in construction and project management, often encountering barriers such as gender bias, workplace discrimination, limited career advancement opportunities, and safety concerns. The session will delve into these issues, highlighting real-world experiences, current data, advice for teammates and future female leaders in the industry, and practical solutions to create more inclusive work environments. Panelists, including industry leaders, advocates, and women professionals, will discuss strategies for fostering diversity, enhancing recruitment and retention, and providing leadership pathways to ensure continued growth in the sector. Attendees will gain insights into how empowering women in construction not only benefits the workforce but also drives innovation, collaboration, and long-term success for the entire industry.

CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2027 

Collaboration was key to achieving technical excellence and innovation in the Boat Harbor Treatment Plant Conversion projects, part of HRSD’s Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) program. The Force Main Section 1 Subaqueous Project, also known as the James River Crossing (JRX), exemplifies this principle through its fixed-price design-build delivery method. The project involves installing a new force main beneath the Newport News Shipping Channel, using over four miles of HDPE pipe ranging from 42 to 54 inches in diameter. The design-build team's collaborative efforts were crucial during procurement when they assessed the feasibility of extending the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to the shoreline. This extension added over 2,300 LF to the original 3,200 LF, resulting in a new total length of over 5,500 LF and savings over $10 million. This project represents the longest single HDD installation of large-diameter HDPE pipe, positioned more than 100 feet below the channel at an elevation of -170 feet. This presentation will highlight how effective stakeholder collaboration facilitated planning, design, and construction, resulting in technical excellence and innovative solutions. Key topics will include risk mitigation strategies, challenges overcome through teamwork, technology used, lessons learned, and cost savings achieved through collaborative efforts.