VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act of 2025
The VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act of 2025 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use design-build procurement procedures for its building and facility design and construction contracts. It aligns VA practices with the broader federal policy that design-build should be used when appropriate, and it directs VA to follow the design-build procedures established in section 3309 of title 41. The bill also broadens the VA training and certification program to explicitly include design-build construction. In addition, the bill reinforces the idea, through findings and sense of Congress statements, that design-build can reduce change orders, shorten delivery times, and improve warranties, with the aim of accelerating VA capital projects such as the Louisville replacement medical center (projected to open in 2026) and addressing a substantial long-term capital backlog.
Key Points
- 1The bill is titled the VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act of 2025 and would amend title 38 of the U.S. Code to standardize use of the design-build method for VA projects.
- 2It reaffirms federal policy since 1996 that design-build should be used when appropriate and notes VA’s large long-term capital cost estimates and the upcoming Louisville replacement medical center.
- 3It states (a) that when the VA seeks a design/construction contract, it must use the design-build procedures in section 3309 of title 41; and (b) for “super construction projects” with non-VA Federal project management support, VA should not discourage use of those section 3309 procedures.
- 4It adds a requirement that VA’s Covered Certification Program (the VA procurement training program) explicitly includes design-build construction.
- 5The bill includes findings and a sense of Congress that properly used design-build can reduce change orders, shorten the time from design to occupancy, and provide stronger warranties, supporting faster, higher-quality VA facilities development.