The State Auditor’s office published an audit report on the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) use of the design-build project delivery method for highway construction projects. The report found that for all highway construction projects audited, TxDOT procured the design-build projects in accordance with most applicable statutes, rules, and other requirements. TxDOT also made payments to the design-build contractors and generally monitored the contracts in accordance with applicable requirements. However, the report also found that TxDOT does not have a fully established framework to standardize its use of the design-build method. The report recommended that: TxDOT should establish a comprehensive framework of policies and procedures to form standardized, documented, and repeatable processes for the procurement and oversight of contracts for design-build projects to foster uniformity and potential efficiency across the Department's districts. The lack of a fully established and documented framework for design-build projects resulted in several weaknesses and inconsistencies in the Department's procurement and oversight of the four audited design-build projects.
