Gov. proposes a new contractor model

WWLP TV

Updated: Feb 3, 2012 8:32 PM

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) — In Governor Deval Patrick's state budget, he's proposed a new construction project procurement model.

The Legislature's Transportation Committee met for a rare Friday hearing to discuss the benefits of the Construction Manager/General Contractor model.

The arrangement is used in Utah and Oregon, it allows general contractors to be brought in early to a state project while it's being designed, allowing them to consult on its constructability. Contractors would then negotiate a price with the state to do that work, rather than it going to the lowest bidder.

John Pourbaix, Construction Industries of Massachusetts executive director, told 22News, “This is going to be a little more subjective. The industry really needs to have the rules of the game spelled out so that we know exactly what you're going to be measured against.

According to Rep. Michael Finn of West Springfield, “What I heard from everybody was that the concept for the new proposal on the procurement is good but at the same time it still needs to be tweaked a little.”

The new arrangement departs from the more traditional design-bid-build model, where a construction project is designed and usually awarded to a contractor who submits the lowest responsible bid to complete the work.

As we all know, the infamous Big Dig project was originally bid to be completed for about $2.56 billion but eventually ballooned to $14.8 billion.

Copyright 2012 WWLP TV. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Political Pulse

We welcome your thoughtful comments. Be the first to participate in the discussion. All comments will display your username and avatar.