Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Design-Assist

On a Design-Assist project, specialty contractors participate in a project’s design. They can provide input that maximizes system efficiencies, reduces costs, and potentially limits design errors or omissions. While the process has many benefits, it also presents risks that are not inherent in other forms of delivery. MCAA’s Design-Assist Management Methods bulletin offers tips for mitigating those risks. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin includes:

• An introduction to design-assist
• The role of a design-assist contractor
• Why a design-assist project is potentially riskier than a design-bid-build (DBB) project
• How design-assist affects the Spearin Doctrine
• Takeaways from Coughlin
• Risk management recommendations for contractors
• Contract forms addressing design-assist obligations

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Find all of MCAA’s educational resources in the Resource Center.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.