Since March 2025, Michigan School Districts have officially had the option to use Design-Build construction delivery for school building projects under House Bill 4603, now known as Public Act 67 of 2024. This legislation marked a significant change in how K-12 Districts can approach facility construction and remodeling projects throughout the state.
For many school leaders, this creates an opportunity to explore a more collaborative and potentially faster project delivery method while keeping important oversight and public accountability requirements.
As a Design-Build firm, Wolgast Corporation believes it’s important for Boards of Education, Superintendents, and Facility Leaders to understand both the advantages and the legal structure surrounding this option.
What Changed Under Public Act 67 of 2024?
For decades, Michigan school construction projects largely followed the Construction Management construction process, where Districts hired an independent architect first and then used a Construction Manager to publicly bid completed plans to contractors.
Public Act 67 of 2024 amended Michigan’s School Building Construction Act to allow Districts to use Design-Build construction services for school projects if specific statutory requirements are followed.
Importantly, the law does not require Districts to use Design-Build. It simply offers another delivery option that school leaders can evaluate based on project goals, schedule needs, complexity, and budget considerations.
What Is Design-Build?
Like Construction Management, Design-Build encourages collaboration and transparency early in the process. The difference is the architect and builder work together as one team from the beginning, helping Districts budget earlier and move toward construction faster. Design-Build is a project delivery method where one entity provides both design and construction services under a single contract structure.
Instead of separating the architect and contractor into two independent contracts, the District works with a unified team that collaborates from the earliest planning stages through completion.
This can create advantages such as:
- Earlier budget input during design
- Faster project timelines
- Improved coordination
- Reduced gaps between design and construction
- Single-source accountability
For occupied school campuses with tight summer schedules and community expectations, those efficiencies can be especially valuable. Additionally, it puts the risk on the Design-Builder to meet deadlines and budgets.
Understanding the Role of the Design-Criteria Developer
One of the most important aspects of Michigan’s new law is the required involvement of a Design-Criteria Developer. Under Public Act 67 of 2024, a School District must engage an independent Design-Criteria Developer before obtaining Design-Build services. The Design-Criteria Developer is typically a Michigan-licensed architect or professional engineer who is independent from the Design-Builder. Their responsibility is to prepare the “Design-Criteria Package” that outlines the District’s project expectations, requirements, standards, and objectives.
In many ways, the Design-Criteria Developer serves as an advocate and advisor to the District while helping ensure the Design-Build process is still transparent and compliant with Michigan law.
Why the Design-Criteria Package Matters
The quality of the Design-Criteria Package can significantly influence the success of a Design-Build project.
This package helps:
- Define the educational and operational goals of the project
- Establish project scope and performance expectations
- Create consistency when evaluating Design-Build proposals
- Protect the District’s interests during procurement
- Provide oversight and guidance throughout the process if desired
A well-developed package also helps Districts compare proposals fairly and ensures teams are pricing and designing toward the same goals. It also reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings, scope gaps, and unexpected cost increases later in the project.
For K-12 Districts, this package may include criteria related to:
- Educational programming needs
- Campus safety and security
- Site logistics and occupied phasing
- Technology integration
- Long-term maintenance expectations
- Sustainability goals
- Budget limitations
- Schedule priorities
The clearer the District’s expectations are upfront, the more successful the collaboration can become.
What School Leaders Should Know About Procurement
Michigan’s updated law still requires competitive procurement practices. Under the legislation, Districts must use a single-phase selection process that evaluates both qualifications and price to find the best value. Competitive bidding requirements under the Revised School Code still apply.
This means Design-Build is not simply selecting a contractor early without accountability. Instead, Districts evaluate teams based on:
- Experience
- Technical qualifications
- Project approach
- Price structure
- Team capabilities
- Understanding of the District’s goals
This allows Districts to consider value and expertise alongside cost.
Potential Advantages for Michigan School Districts
While Design-Build is not ideal for every project, many Districts may find it beneficial for projects requiring speed, flexibility, and close collaboration.
Potential advantages include:
Faster Delivery - Design and construction phases can overlap, allowing early work packages and long-lead procurement to begin sooner. This can be especially valuable when summer completion windows are tight.
Earlier Cost Visibility - Construction professionals provide budgeting input during design development, helping Districts make informed decisions before plans are completed.
Improved Collaboration - Architects, construction professionals, and consultants work together from the beginning rather than working independently.
Reduced Finger-Pointing - Because the Design-Builder manages both design and construction responsibilities, accountability becomes more streamlined.
Better Constructability Planning - Occupied campus logistics, safety planning, phasing, and operational concerns can be addressed much earlier in the process.
Is Design-Build Right for Every District?
Not always. Some Districts may still prefer the Construction Management approach depending on project complexity, procurement preferences, or community expectations. However, Public Act 67 of 2024 gives Michigan School Districts another tool to consider when planning future facility improvements.
Final Thoughts
Michigan’s adoption of Design-Build construction delivery for Schools represents a major shift in K-12 facility planning and procurement. For school leaders, understanding the role of the Design-Criteria Developer is essential because that position helps create the structure, accountability, and clarity needed for a successful Design-Build project. As a firm with over 50 years in Design-Build Construction, Wolgast Corporation believes the best school projects begin with early collaboration, clear budgeting, and a team working toward the same goals from day one.
Call us for more information at 800-WOLGAST.