AGENDA DATE: 1/14/2026
TITLE:
Title
Approval of Design-Build Procurement for Rivanna Futures and Eastern Avenue Road & Bridge
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Use of the design-build method of procurement for (1) the Rivanna Futures Road and Bridge and (2) the Eastern Avenue Road and Bridge.
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Ruege, Dumars, Abplanalp
PRESENTER(S) Blake Abplanalp
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The County’s Purchasing Manual Chapter 10, Design-Build Procurement, outlines the procedures for all departments, agencies, and institutions of the County for procurement, as well as the administration of Design-Build contracts. A Design-Build contract is an agreement between the County and another party in which the party contracting with the public body agrees to both design and build the structure, roadway, or other item specified in the agreement. In accordance with the procedures contained within the Purchasing Manual, the County may contract to secure Design-Build projects based on either a fixed price or a not-to-exceed price. County staff are authorized to use competitive negotiation to procure Design-Build contracts if it determines, in advance and in writing, that the more standard practice of Design-Bid-Build is either not practicable or not fiscally advantageous to the public.
Prior to taking any action to pursue the Design-Build method of procurement, staff must submit a written determination letter to the Board of Supervisors stating the reasons why the Design-Bid-Build procurement method is not practicable or not fiscally advantageous and must request authorization from the Board to utilize the Design-Build procurement method.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality of Life - Encourage a vibrant community with economic and recreational opportunities that serve all community members.
DISCUSSION: Albemarle County is in the planning stage with the Commonwealth of Virginia to design and construct a road and bridge on County property at Rivanna Futures in the Rivanna District. This road will serve development and expansion related to the future AstraZeneca plants that will be built over the next three to five years. Facilities and Environmental Services has conferred with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and agreed that the most expedient delivery of this project will be via the Design-Build procurement process. The Purchasing Agent recommends proceeding with the Design-Build Procurement method, as justified in the memo attached as Attachment A.
VDOT states that projects directly supporting economic development/enhancement, projects to maximize the use of available funding, and projects deemed by VDOT or a Locality to have expedited scheduling requirements may be suited for Design-Build contracts.
Eastern Avenue Extension in the White Hall district is also an ideal project for Design-Build procurement. A recent Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) procurement for Eastern Avenue did not result in the receipt of complete proposals, and the procurement was ended. Moving forward with a Design-Build procurement for Eastern Avenue would enable the project team to utilize most of the preliminary design, technical specifications, and administrative specifications that were created for the PPTA procurement. This will result in a significant reduction in time and cost to prepare the Design-Build documents versus converting them into a more traditional procurement method. VDOT has confirmed that we can utilize $8.1 million in Revenue Sharing funds on the design-build project that we could not use on the PPTA. The Purchasing Agent recommends proceeding with the Design-Build Procurement method, as justified in the memo attached as Attachment B.
The design-build approach can expedite schedules and provide early cost certainty, allowing for quicker project completion. The process is not linear like most VDOT projects; the concurrent design and construction phases allow for faster project delivery. Parallel workflows, early problem-solving, and a design-to-budget approach empower an efficient approach to design and delivery.
BUDGET IMPACT: The Design-Build procurement method should result in cost savings.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommend that the Board adopt a resolution (Attachment C) to authorize staff to use the Design-Build procurement method for the Rivanna Futures Road and Bridge and the Eastern Avenue Road and Bridge projects.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att. A - MEMO Design Build Procurement - Rivanna Futures
Att. B - MEMO Design Build Procurement - Eastern Avenue
Att. C - Resolution