DBIA

Leadership

The 2012 Chair's Report to DBIA Southwest Region Members

For those of you not familiar with Design-Build, I would like to define it for you. For those of you familiar with it you can skip to the second paragraph. Design-Build is a project delivery method where one entity under one contract with the project owner takes full responsibility for the design and construction of a project. One entity, one contract, one unified effort- this simple but fundamental fact can save time and money by transforming the relationships between owner, designer and builder into an alliance which fosters collaboration and teamwork. An owner can realize significant benefits including faster project completion, cost savings, better quality, and singular responsibility with reduced risk and reduced claims and litigation.

The Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) in its simplest terms is an association of people interested in achieving high performance results for infrastructure and building projects. These high performance results come from using integrated project delivery methods that fosters collaboration between all the stakeholders in a project. High performance results means projects brought on line faster and more cost effectively with greater accountability, streamlined communications, more effective control, clearer lines of responsibility, higher quality, safe construction, incorporation of innovation and creativity. Projects that make sense from life cycle costs and sustainability considerations to reduced carbon footprints to being green. All this is Design-Build (DB).

The DBIA has a vision to be the industry’s preeminent resource for leadership, education, objective expertise and best practices for the successful integrated delivery of capital projects. Its mission promotes the value of Design-Build and teaches the effective integration of design and construction services to ensure success for owners and design and construction practitioners. DBIA has made delivery of quality programs, products and services its number one priority. They realize how valuable its members time is, which is why it partners with its 14 Regions to implement its vision and mission throughout the nation.

The Southwest Region of the DBIA consists of an area encompassing five states - Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. In these states, we want to be the resource for education, leadership, objective expertise and best practices for successful DB projects. We want to promote the value of DB project delivery and teach the effective integration of design and construction services to ensure success for owners and design and construction practitioners. Within these states we have Chapters that are more focused in that particular geographic area. We have several active Chapters and we plan to establish new Chapters throughout the Region. We also have a few student chapters at universities within our Region. Each year the region has an annual conference which provides for great educational and networking opportunities.

All design and construction industry indicators point to the continued use and growth of Design-Build for infrastructure and building projects, especially for larger project. If you are interested in being part of this exciting trend, it is quite easy to join. Please visit the Regions web site for membership information or the DBIA web site at www.dbia.org. Companies can join as well as individuals. Individuals can join for a nominal fee.

Being a member has its privileges. Members receive preferential access to all of DBIA’s resources as well as significant discounts on all the products and services. Among them:

  • Free access to Design-Build Manual of Practice;

  • Design Build Insights - weekly e-news with latest news and stories and access to current Design-Build solicitations;

  • Receive IQ: Integration Quarterly - the DBIA magazine which among other things showcases outstanding Design-Build projects;

  • Epipeline - free access to comprehensive database of government contracting;

  • Deep discounts on products and services including half-price DBIA contract documents, and reductions on education, conferences and publications;

  • Broad industry exposure- named in DBIA membership Directory and on-line “Find a Professional”; and

  • Access a neutral forum of networking and collaboration.

Each year, DBIA offers four conferences that give attendees an opportunity to learn about Design-Build at its best, meet industry leaders and network with owner and practitioners. There is the National Design-Build Conference and Expo, Design- Build in Transportation and Design-Build in Water/Wastewater Conferences and the Federal Sector Conference.

DBIA offers excellent educational opportunities with a series of core courses that are part of its professional certification program. There are other high quality courses that are offered. The DBIA web site has a listing of these courses. Whether you seek the certification or just want to educate yourself on Design-Build there are no finer courses that what DBIA offers.

DBIA has a Designated Design-Build Professional program intended to establish an accepted and recognized standard of Design-Build knowledge and experience. DBIA certifies design and construction practitioners as well as other professionals working in the Design-Build arena. Through coursework and testing, and requisite experience, these individuals demonstrate an understanding of best practices in every phase of Design-Build to earn the certification credential.

I hope this message was worthwhile for you and I hope you will consider joining the DBIA and becoming a member of the Southwest Region. For further information or more information on the items discussed above please visit the DBIA web site at www.dbia.org.

Douglas Herbst
Chairman of the Board of Directors