Welcome to the 2024 Bronze and 2026 Silver Stevie® Award-winning Design-Build Delivers, the podcast dedicated to exploring design-build, the fastest-growing project delivery method in the nation. Presented by the Design-Build Institute of America, episodes feature stories and discussions with industry experts, Owners and successful design-build teams aimed at helping professionals achieve Design-Build Done Right®. With design-build projected to reach nearly half of all construction spending by 2028, listen in as we uncover the latest insights –– including best practices, resources, trends, timely issues, technology, case studies and more –– driving the future of construction. The team behind the show: Host/Editor: Erin Looney Producers: Danielle Hall, Fred Yi, Erin Looney Additional Editing: Fred Yi Promotion/Additional Production: Phillip Nguyen, Eden Binder Thank you to our 2026 Design-Build Delivers partner, ARKANCE an Autodesk Platinum Partner. ARKANCE is a global partner for digital and operational transformation across the architecture, engineering, construction and manufacturing sectors. Operating across more than 20 countries with 1,200 experts worldwide, ARKANCE helps organizations connect workflows, systems, data and teams to reduce complexity, improve performance and realize greater value from their digital investments.
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August 14, 202632 min
Human in the Lead: Building a Better Data Strategy with ARKANCE
Have thoughts? Text us! What happens to project data after turnover, and how much of its value gets lost along the way? ARKANCE’s Tobias Scheele and Nick Miller join DBIA’s Director of Virtual Design and Construction, Brian Skripac, for a conversation about making project information more useful from design and construction through operations. They discuss where information tends to break down, how teams can improve continuity without prescribing specific tools and why automation works best when it supports human expertise rather than attempts to replace it. This is the first of two episodes from the conversation. Part 2, coming at the end of the month, turns to AI, digital twins and the questions organizations should ask before investing in new technology. GUESTS: Tobias Scheele Executive Vice President, Americas, ARKANCE Nick Miller Director of BIM Services, ARKANCE Brian Skripac, CM-BIM, CDT, LEED AP, DBIA Director of Virtual Design and Construction, DBIA Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org . DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.
July 30, 202641 min
VDC for Infrastructure: Less About Tools, More About Outcomes
Have thoughts? Text us! Virtual Design and Construction can help teams identify risk earlier, evaluate alternatives and make better-informed project decisions. But for many transportation and water/wastewater Owners, the technology (and even the terminology) can still feel unfamiliar. In this episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast , DBIA Director of Virtual Design and Construction Brian Skripac joins Patty Scharf of Burgess & Niple, Jon Berkoe of Arup and Jeff Scarano of HRSD to discuss what DBIA’s VDC Committee learned from conversations with infrastructure Owners and practitioners. The group examines how models improve constructability, operability and maintainability; how Owners can use project data after turnover; what changes when models become contractual documents; and why leadership and trust are essential to getting full value from VDC. Guests Patty Scharf, DBIA, PE Director of Digital Engineering | Burgess & Niple Jon Berkoe, PE Associate Principal | Arup Jeff Scarano, PE, BCEE, DBIA Chief Engineer | HRSD Brian Skripac, CM-BIM, CDT, LEED AP, DBIA Director of Virtual Design & Construction | DBIA Resources Explore DBIA’s VDC resources in the DBIA bookstore. Register for the VDC Leadership Exchange in Cleveland this November, taking place the day before the Design-Build Conference & Expo . Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org . DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.
June 30, 202628 min
2026 State Legislative Recap: Expanded Authority, Sunsets and What Comes Next
Have thoughts? Text us! State legislative sessions are wrapping up across the country, and design-build continues to gain momentum. In this episode of Design-Build Delivers , DBIA’s Richard Thomas joins Erin Looney to break down the biggest state legislative developments affecting design-build, including expanded authority, progressive design-build activity, sunset extensions and removals and the growing role of DBIA regions in legislative advocacy. Richard discusses why transportation remains active, why water/wastewater and building projects are increasingly important and how states such as Missouri, California, Illinois and West Virginia reflect broader national trends. He also explains why passing legislation is only part of the work. Once Owners receive new or expanded authority, they still need training, internal alignment, industry engagement and the right support to use design-build successfully. The conversation also looks ahead to the next legislative cycle, including expected activity in Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York and other states, as well as federal transportation reauthorization. Resources: DBIA Pending Legislation: Follow the latest state legislative activity affecting design-build authority, including updates on transportation, water/wastewater and other public-sector markets. DBIA State Advocacy: Explore DBIA’s state advocacy resources, including guidance for advancing effective design-build legislation and supporting broader understanding of collaborative delivery. DBIA Advocacy Toolkits: Access practical tools and resources to help Owners, practitioners and advocates communicate the value of design-build and support Design-Build Done Right® implementation. States Look to Broaden Design-Build Authority in Transportation, Water/Wastewater in 2026: Read DBIA’s overview of 2026 state legislative trends, including efforts to expand and refine design-build authority in transportation and water/wastewater. The Role of the Owner Advisor in Design-Build Projects: Learn how experienced Owner Advisors can help Owners prepare for design-build success, from procurement planning to implementation of Design-Build Done Right® best practices. Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org . DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.
June 18, 20268 min
From Controlling the Answer to Defining the Problem: Why Off-Ramping Isn’t Failure (Bonus Content Episode)
Have thoughts? Text us! This Bonus Content Episode extends our conversation from “Beyond the Buzz: Implementing Progressive Design-Build in the Federal Market,” featuring David Triplett and Laura Stagner. In the full episode, we discussed what federal agencies should know before pursuing progressive design-build, including DBIA’s new Qualifications-Based Selection Deeper Dive for PDB and an accompanying AI-powered tutorial designed to help agencies apply the guidance in real procurement and project delivery scenarios. Here, we take a closer look at one specific issue: off-ramping. Off-ramping can sound like a failure, especially when it shows up around high-profile projects. But in progressive design-build, an off-ramp can be a legitimate project-protection tool. As Dave explains, successful PDB requires moving from controlling the answer to defining the problem. Resources Listen to the full episode: “ Beyond the Buzz: Implementing Progressive Design-Build in the Federal Market ” Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org . DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.
May 29, 202637 min
Beyond the Buzz: Implementing Progressive Design-Build in the Federal Market
Have thoughts? Text us! In the latest episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, host Erin Looney chats with David Triplett of the FBI and Laura Stagner of GSA to discuss what federal agencies should know before pursuing a progressive design-build project. The episode also highlights DBIA's new Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) Deeper Dive for progressive design-build and an accompanying AI-powered tutorial designed to help agencies apply the guidance in real-world procurement and project delivery scenarios. Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org . DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.
May 22, 20267 min
BONUS CONTENT: More on DBE Certification
Have thoughts? Text us! April's Design-Build Delivers Podcast looked at the uncertainty and changes with DBE certification at the federal level. Guests Rachael Pease and Freddie Streeter return in this Bonus Content Episode to ground that discussion in some real-world stories. If you missed it, make sure to listen to the full episode companion to this brief chat for more. When the Rules Change Midstream: What the Latest DBE Updates Mean for Design-Build Teams Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org . DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.
April 30, 202637 min
When the Rules Change Midstream: What the Latest DBE Updates Mean for Design-Build Teams
Have thoughts? Text us! Changes to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program are already shaping how teams approach projects and raising questions about what comes next. In the latest episode of The Design-Build Delivers Podcast , brought to you by ARKANCE, an Autodesk Platinum Partner, host Erin Looney speaks with two industry professionals working through those changes in real time. The conversation focuses on the recent Interim Final Rule (IFR), which removes long-standing presumptions of disadvantage and shifts the burden of proof onto individual firms. As a result, DBE certification, procurement timelines and team formation are all being affected, often in ways that are still evolving. Rather than debating the policy itself, this episode looks at what’s happening on the ground, including how project teams are adjusting, where uncertainty is creating friction and what it means for small businesses trying to stay engaged in design-build. Resources from the episode: Design-Build Done Right® Universal Best Practices DBIA Project/Team Awards BOGO DBIA Membership Offer Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org . DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.
March 27, 20267 min
All Politics Is Local And So Are PLAs (Feb. 2026 Bonus Episode)
Have thoughts? Text us! In this bonus episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, Erin Looney highlights a key moment from the recent legislative update conversation to take a closer look at project labor agreements (PLAs) and why they remain one of the most complex and nuanced aspects of project delivery today. As design-build authority continues to expand across the country, teams are navigating evolving policies, funding challenges and local requirements that can vary significantly by region. PLAs are a clear example of how those dynamics play out in real time. Listen to the full episode: All Politics is Local: The State-By-State Push for Design-Build Authority (Feb. 2026 full episode) Stay informed: Track state legislation Visit the DBIA Bookstore for free resources supporting state and local legislative efforts Join the conversation in person: State and local legislative issues will be a key topic at DBIA’s Spring Specialty Conferences in Grapevine, Texas. Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org . DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.
March 16, 202641 min
No Smoke and Mirrors Here: Inside the DBIA Awards Jury
Have thoughts? Text us! Every year, the DBIA Project/Team Awards recognize the teams that demonstrate Design-Build Done Right®, but how does the jury actually evaluate submissions? In this episode, your host Erin Looney chats with four members of the DBIA Awards jury to explain what they look for when reviewing projects and what makes a submission stand out. The discussion covers: How collaboration and leadership influence award-winning projects Why documentation and storytelling matter in submissions How teams can demonstrate the real impact of VDC and technology The role of procurement strategy and risk allocation If you're considering submitting a project, this episode offers practical insight directly from the people who review the applications. Resources in the episode DBIA Project/Team Awards previous winners Orange County Health Care Agency at Marine Way (2025 Best in VDC Award winner) DBIA Project/Team Awards Submission Guidelines Guest bios: Rich Formella, PMP, CPPO, FAC-C III (Retired), FDBIA Barbara Jackson, Ph.D., FDBIA Praful Kulkarni, Ph.D., FAIA, DBIA Brian Skripac, CM-BIM, CDT, LEED AP, DBIA Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org . DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.
February 27, 202640 min
All Politics Is Local: The State-by-State Push for Design-Build Authority
Have thoughts? Text us! State legislatures across the country are in session, and like every year, the decisions made now could directly affect how projects are delivered for years to come. In the latest episode of Design-Build Delivers , we hung out with DBIA’s Director of State and Local Legislative Affairs, Richard Thomas, and Legislative Committee Chair Vince Campanella to unpack what’s happening in 2026. From progressive design-build expansion to sunset clauses and subtle procurement language changes, the legislative landscape remains active and consequential. Some states are refining mature programs. Others are transitioning from pilot programs to full authority. And in a few cases, familiar bills are resurfacing with new language that could impact Owners, designers and contractors alike. Resources in this episode: Guide for Enactment of Design-Build Legislation Model Legislation State Statute Report DBIA State Advocacy Resources Design-Build for Transportation/Aviation and Design-Build for Water/Wastewater Conferences Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org . DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.
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