State procurement laws continue to impede the use of design/build in the public sector, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by ZweigWhite. Nearly half of the survey’s respondents reported that such laws in their state had prevented them from securing public design/build work, the highest percentage since the research firm began conducting the annual survey six years ago.
Firms headquartered in the middle Atlantic (63%), mountain (57%), and north central (54%) regions were hit hardest by procurement laws.
However, more than 75% of respondents still predict there will be an increase in the use of design/build in the public sector in the future. In addition, design/build revenues for design and consulting firms grew 60% from 2000 to 2002, illustrating that despite the lack of work in the public sector, private work is still adequate to fuel the industry.