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SB 1377

An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in transportation infrastructure, providing for design build best value.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Ward

Pennsylvania would use a design-build best-value framework to select contractor proposals based on price and quality factors, aiming for faster, lifecycle-aware project delivery.

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Bill Summary · SB 1377

Summary of SB 1377 (2025-2026) — Pennsylvania

Purpose and Intent

  • SB 1377 proposes amendments to Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
  • The focus is on transportation infrastructure procurement, specifically establishing and clarifying the use of “design-build best value” procurement methods for transportation projects.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Design-Build Best Value standard: The bill provides for a design-build approach where contractors are evaluated based on a combination of price and non-price criteria to determine the most advantageous project proposal. The exact metrics and weightings would be defined in the statute or implementing regulations.
  • Procurement framework: It codifies processes for how design-build projects are solicited, evaluated, and awarded, potentially including:
    • Competitive procurement procedures for design-build contracts.
    • Transparent evaluation criteria that balance cost with quality, schedule risk, lifecycle costs, past performance, safety, and other relevant factors.
  • Contracting and oversight: The bill likely outlines requirements for contract administration, performance standards, and mechanisms to ensure accountability, such as performance bonds, milestones, and dispute resolution provisions.
  • Applicability: Applies to transportation infrastructure projects undertaken by the Commonwealth or its agencies, enabling more flexible and potentially faster project delivery through sequential design and construction integration.

Note: The bill text referenced indicates emphasis on “design build best value,” but specific numeric criteria (weights, thresholds, or a detailed list of non-price factors) are not provided in the summary materials available. The final provisions in the enrolled bill would specify these details.

Who is Affected

  • State transportation agencies and authorities: For purposes of project delivery, contracting, and procurement.
  • Design-build contractors and consultants: Entities bidding on transportation infrastructure projects under the new design-build best-value framework.
  • Taxpayers and end-users of transportation infrastructure: Indirectly affected through potential changes in project delivery speed, cost, and long-term lifecycle performance.
  • Regulators and procurement staff: Responsible for implementing evaluation criteria, contract awards, and oversight.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Committee referral and action:
    • Referred to the Senate Transportation Committee on June 9, 2026.
    • Reported as committed by the committee and first considered by the Senate on June 10, 2026.
  • Legislative status:
    • Prime sponsor: Senator Judy Ward (with a Senate co-sponsor listed as well).
    • The latest action shows the bill moving through standard amendment and consideration channels with committee reporting as committed, indicating it is progressing toward potential floor action.
  • Effective date: The summary does not specify an effective date; the enrolled bill would typically include an effective date or phased implementation schedule if enacted.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Could allow Pennsylvania to secure design-build projects using best-value evaluations, which some projects have used to accelerate delivery while maintaining quality and lifecycle performance.
  • May require updates to implementing regulations, procurement manuals, and staff training to apply the new evaluation framework consistently.
  • Could influence project cost, schedule, risk allocation, and contractor competition depending on the final criteria and thresholds established.

If you’d like, I can compare SB 1377 to current Pennsylvania practice or summarize related companion bills and fiscal notes once those are available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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