Design-build integration in public highway project

Abstract The aim of this project is to identify changes in the delivery of public projects under the Brazilian Integrated Contracting bidding system. The research was carried out using the case study method, focusing on the analysis of the process of a highway duplication project. Semi-structured interviews with field specialists were conducted, as well as an analysis of the project documents. The study identifies possible improvements in design and construction integration, analysing to what extent Integrated Contracting contributes to the adoption of the best practices of the design-build model. The results point to the fact that, regardless of any legal issues, Integrated Contracting opens an opportunity for the application of Integrated Project Delivery concepts and processes. However, constructibility improvements require not only better contractual specifications, but also the implementation of design processes workflows. This study contributes to the study of alternative bidding mechanisms to Brazilian Law 8.666/93, as is the case of Integrated Contracting, which is still a scarcely researched subject in Brazil.