CONTENT EXPIRES: December 31, 2025

The continuously evolving landscape of attacks in the U.S. (explosions, mass shootings, mob-style attacks, vehicle rammings, drone attacks, etc.) have resulted in an expanded array of security design requirements for federal and infrastructure projects. Before, managing the risk of incorporating security requirements in Design-Build projects was a challenge. Now, with new requirements that are not yet well defined, the challenge has heightened. Past experience has shown that requiring projects to incorporate security requirements that cannot be widely distributed can cause gaps in cost proposals, misunderstandings regarding interpretations of the requirements, and inefficiencies in implementation into the overall project design. These are all risks to a project that can be reduced by implementing a different approach to solicitation documents and costing for the security portion of projects. The beauty of Design-Build is that all the players are at the table, with a collaborative mindset, to ensure threat mitigation measures while balancing design excellence (avoiding the prison look), budget, constructability schedule and availability of materials/products/equipment. When all that is addressed with early engagement of stakeholders during procurement and design, the level of confidence with saving lives through smart comprehensive security design will be elevated and the risks can be significantly reduced.