Chapter 4: Project Procurement Methods Supported by SCAP

_{Updated March 20, 2026}

There are various ways of undertaking a construction project at K-12 schools, but currently only three procurement methods that can be accommodated by the School Construction Assistance program (see Chapter 3, School Construction Assistance Program Eligibility). They are:

Design-Bid-Build(DBB)
General Contractor/Construction Management (GC/CM)
Progressive Design-Build (PDB)

School districts should consult their local district county coordinator, as well as RCW 28A.335.190 to ensure it meets compliance on bid procedures.

401: Design-Bid-Build (DBB)

Design-Bid-Build (DBB) is the traditional method of delivering a construction project. The district contracts with an architect or architectural and engineering firm to design the project and, separately, with a general contractor to construct it. The design is developed first. One the design is complete enough to bid, the project is advertised and contractors submit competitive bids to construct the project. The selected contractor according to the construction documents.

Under DBB, the designer and contractor have separate contracts with the district, and the contractor generally does not participate in developing the design. The sequence is straightforward: design, then bid, then build (construction).

See Chapter 5: Design-Bid-Build (DBB) D-Forms Process for more on how DBB works with the SCAP.

402: General Contractor/Construction Management (GC/CM)

General Contractor/Construction Management (GC/CM) brings the general contractor onto the project during the design phase rather than waiting until the design is complete, like in Design-Bid-Build. The district contracts separately with the architect and the GC/CM. The architect continues to design the project for the district, while the GC/CM provides construction expertise during design, including estimating, scheduling, constructability review, and evaluation of construction options.

Early bid packages establish the construction cost for a defined portion of the project before the overall MACC is established. These are sometimes referred to as "mini-MACC's" because they represent a portion of the overall MACC. Once the design is at least 90 percent complete, the district and the GC/CM establish the project's Maximum Allowable Construction Cost (MACC), which incorporates the costs established through the early bid packages.

Because the GC/CM is involved before the design is complete, the district can use the contractor's experience to help identify potential construction issues and manage cost and schedule as the design develops. GC/CM can also allow certain portions of construction to begin before the entire design is complete through early work or early bid packages. For the purpose of SCAP, these bid packages cannot include any construction on the building itself (See "Breaking Ground" in subchapter "001: Terms Used" in the Introduction chapter for OSPI's definition). Once the design reaches the required level of completion, the district and GC/CM establish the project's Maximum Allowable Construction Cost (MACC), typically established at 90 percent into design phase. The early bid packages are, therefore, called "mini-MACC's," as they are a slice of the overall MACC Agreement.

The defining characteristic of GC/CM is early contractor involvement while the architect and GC/CM remain separately contracted with the district.

See Chapter 6: General Contractor/Construction Management (GC/CM) D-Form Process for more on how GC/CM works with the SCAP.

403: Progressive Design-Build (PDB)

Progressive Design-Build (PDB) combines design and construction under a single contract. Rather than separately contracting with an architect and a general contractor, the district selects a design-builder responsible for both design and construction. The design-builder is involved early, while the project is still being developed.

The district and design-builder work together to develop the project's scope, design, cost, and schedule. As the design becomes more defined, the construction cost becomes more defined as well. The design-builder then proceeds with completing the design and constructing the project in accordance with the agreed-upon terms.

The defining characteristics of PDB is one contract with a design-builder responsible for both design and construction. The designer is part of the design-builder's team rather than being separately contracted directly with the district.

Progressive Design-Buil is currently the only type of Design-Build that can be accommodated by the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP). See Chapter 7, Progressive Design-Build (PDB) D-Forms Process for more information on how PDB works with SCAP.

404: Project Delivery Method Comparison Chart

Here is a high-level comparison of the three construction delivery methods. The table below shows, in simple terms, who the district hires, when the builder becomes involved, and how the project moves from design to construction.

In simplest terms:

Design-Bid-Build (DBB): Design, then one bid, then build (construction)
General Contractor/Construction Management (GC/CM): Hire the designer and builder separately, but bring the builder in early
Progressive Design-Build (PDB): Hire one team to design and build the project

High-Level Comparison of DBB, GC/CM, and PDB

Characteristic	Design-Bid-Build (DBB)	General Contractor/Construction Management (GC/CM)	Progressive Design-Build (PDB)
Basic approach	Design first, then bid construction	Bring the contractor into the project during design	Bring a combined design and construction team into the project during design
School District's contracts	Separate contract with designer and contractor	Separate contract with designer and GC/CM	One contract with a design-builder
Who designs the projects?	District's Architect/Engineer	District's Architect/Engineer	Design-builder
When is the contractor involved?	After design and competitive bidding	During design	During design from the early stages of the project
Does the contractor participate in design?	Generally not	Yes	Yes
Who does the designer work for?	School District	School District	Design-builder
Relationship between designer and contractor	Separate	Separate, but they work together during design	Part of the same team
How is construction cost established?	Competitive bids based on completed construction documents	MACC negotiated with the GC/CM as the design progresses	Final GMP is developed after the design-builder has been selected and the project is further developed collaboratively.
Can construction begin before the entire design is complete?	Generally, no, and not when applying for SCAP funding.	Yes, in general. GC/CM can use early construction packages to begin portions of the work before the entire design is complete. For SCAP-funded projects, however, building construction cannot begin until the Final GMP Amendment and D-10 or D-10(1) have been issued.	Yes, in general. PDB can overlap design and construction, using construction packages as the design develops. For SCAP-funded projects, however, building construction cannot begin until the Final GMP Amendment and D-10 or D-10(1) have been issued.
Defining characteristic	The building is generally designed before construction begins, with one competitive construction bid.	The contractor is involved early, but the designer and contractor remain separately contracted with the district.	The designer and contractor are part of one team under a single contract with the district.