The first of 10 projects of Caltrans’ mandated Design-Build Demonstration Program – the State Highway 99 Chowchilla Rehabilitation Project in Madera Co. – was awarded last week to Granite Construction Co.

Construction on the $37-million project is planned to begin this month and is estimated for completion by December 2012. The project will repair nearly 4 mi of Highway 99 in both directions in Chowchilla from the South Madera Overcrossing to the Avenue 16 Overcrossing. Existing guardrail, lights, signs, and drainage systems within the project limits will also be upgraded or repaired, as needed.

With the design-build construction method, Caltrans expects the project to be completed up to a year ahead of schedule.

Caltrans obtained design-build authority in February 2009 with the passage of Senate Bill 4 (second extraordinary session). The legislation established a demonstration program, which allows 10 design-build projects for Caltrans and five for local transportation agencies, subject to authorization by the California Transportation Commission.

According to the CTC, the program’s contracts are to be awarded on the basis of the lowest responsible bid or best value. The process consists of  Request for Qualifications (RFQ), submittal of a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ), evaluation of submittals and selection of a short list, Request for Proposals (RFP) from the short list, submittal of proposals, evaluation of proposals, selection of low bid or best value bid, and award and execution of contract.

Other projects are scheduled for SR180 in Fresno, Highway 101 in San Mateo, I-10/I-605 in Los Angeles and Highway 805 in San Diego.

For details about the program, go to Caltrans’ website at www.dot.ca.gov/hq/oppd/designbuild.

To view an official copy of the project RFQ’s, contractors should register at www.bidsync.com.