HB3160 Summary: Forest Preserve District and Conservation District Design-Build Authorization Act

• Authorizes forest preserve districts and conservation districts to use design-build delivery methods for public projects as an alternative to traditional design-bid-build processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

• Requires a two-phase selection process: Phase I evaluates design-build entities based on qualifications (experience, financial capability, past performance, etc.) without considering price; Phase II evaluates technical proposals and cost submissions with price weighted at no more than 30%.

• Mandates at least 14 days advance notice before issuing a request for proposals, with proposal submission deadlines of 21 calendar days (28 days for projects exceeding $12,000,000) and minimum 30 days for Phase II submissions.

• Requires design-build contracts to include plans for complying with minority, women, and disabled-owned business enterprise utilization goals and mandates semi-annual progress reports on implementation efforts.

• Increases the competitive bidding threshold from $25,000 to $30,000 for conservation districts, downstate forest preserve districts, and Cook County forest preserve districts when not using design-build procurement.