WASHINGTON, D.C – Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) introduced the VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act.
This bipartisan legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to utilize the design-build method, in which a single contractor handles both design and construction for major medical facility projects. This approach streamlines the building process, reduces delays, and ensures that veterans have access to modern, high-quality care more quickly.
The bill also ensures VA includes design-build training in its construction management programs and allows agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers to use the method without interference.
Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) said, “The number one obstacle standing between veterans and the care they’ve earned is bureaucracy. This bill streamlines VA’s construction process so we can get hospitals built faster and deliver better outcomes for our veterans.”
Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) said, “Veterans deserve modern, quality health care. Our bipartisan bill will streamline construction and save money to help VA deliver the care vets need.”
Key Provisions of the VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act are:
- Direct the VA Secretary to follow existing federal law procedures to consider design-build when entering into contracts for the design and construction of facilities.
- Prevents VA from discouraging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the most significant construction projects on VA’s behalf, from using design-build.
- Include design-build components in the VA’s training program for construction managers.
Full bill text can be found here.
Background:
Then-Rep. Banks first introduced the bill in the 116th Congress as H.R. 3996, which passed the House of Representatives by voice vote in November 2019.
