Construction Program Guide

Construction Manager / General Contractor Project Delivery

The Construction Manager / General Contractor (CM/GC) project delivery method allows an owner to engage a construction manager during the design process to provide constructibility input. The Construction Manager is generally selected on the basis of qualifications, past experience or a best-value basis. During the design phase, the construction manager provides input regarding scheduling, pricing, phasing and other input that helps the owner design a more constructible project. At approximately an average of 60% to 90% design completion, the owner and the construction manager negotiate a 'guaranteed maximum price' for the construction of the project based on the defined scope and schedule. If this price is acceptable to both parties, they execute a contract for construction services, and the construction manager becomes the general contractor. The CM/GC delivery method is also called the Construction Manager at-Risk (CMR) method by state law in some states.

1. Authority/Legal Basis - Laws

   • State DOT's must request FHWA's approval to use this under Special Experimental Project No. 14 - Innovative Contracting.
   • State DOTs should request SEP-14 approval by submitting a workplan to the FHWA Division Office for transmittal to HIPA-30. Example workplans are available at the SEP-14 Current Projects List web site.

2. Regulations

   • The FHWA does not presently have regulations concerning CMR. State DOTs must request FHWA approval to use CM/GC under SEP-14. Project approvals or program approvals are available.

3. Orders

   • None

4. Policy

   • None

5. General Information

   • AIA / AGC Primer on Project Delivery
   • Associated General Contractors' CM At-Risk Web page
   • Associated General Contractors of America "CM/GC Guidelines for Public Owners, 2nd Edition"
   • AGC's State-by-State Information Regarding Use of CM at-Risk
   • AGC Presentation: "Alternate Project Delivery Methods in Horizontal Construction"
   • Caltrans Alternative Procurement Guide
   • PennDOT Innovative Bidding Toolkit
   • State Statutes and Policies for CM/GC and CMR Project Delivery Methods for Transportation Projects

6. Research Reports

   • NCHRP Synthesis 402: Construction Manager-at-Risk Project Delivery for Highway Programs
   • NCHRP 10-85: Guidebook for Construction Manager-at-Risk Contracting for Highway Projects

7. Contract Agency Evaluations / Reports

   • Phoenix, AZ Downtown Traffic Management System SEP-14 Construction Manager at Risk Evaluation
   • Phoenix, AZ SEP-14 Regional Fiber Optic Backbone System Construction Manager at Risk Evaluation
   • 2007 Utah DOT Construction Manager / General Contractor Annual Report
   • 2008 Utah DOT Construction Manager / General Contractor Annual Report
   • 2009 Utah DOT Construction Manager / General Contractor Annual Report

8. Training/Conferences/Other

   • AGC of America Project Delivery Resources
   • National Highway Institute / Highways for Life Pre-Recorded Podcast - Accelerated Project Delivery Methods
   • FHWA Every Day Counts Peer Exchange, Summary of Presentations, Salt Lake City, Utah June 28-29, 2011 (.pdf, 0.2 mb) 
   • FHWA Every Day Counts Peer Exchange Presentations, Boston, MA May 23-24, 2012 
   • CMGC Institute 

9. State DOT Construction Manager at-Risk Web Sites

   • Florida DOT Construction Manager at-Risk home page
   • Oregon DOT CMGC home page
   • Utah DOT Construction Manager / General Contractor home page

10. Construction Manager at-Risk Procurement Documents

    • Oregon DOT CMGC Procurement Documents for the I-5: Williamette River Bridge Replacement
    • City of Glendale, AZ Sample Contract for Construction Manager At-Risk Design Phase Services
    • City of Glendale, AZ Sample Agreement for Construction Manager At-Risk Construction Phase Services
    • Utah DOT Sample CMGC documents