H.B. No. 3563 amends the Transportation Code of Texas to introduce a new "construction manager-general contractor method" for selecting engineers and general contractors for transportation-related construction projects. This method allows the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to contract separately with an engineer for design and construction services and with a construction manager who will serve as the general contractor. The bill aims to streamline the procurement process by enabling TxDOT to bypass certain existing procedures when selecting a general contractor for state highway projects. Key provisions include the definition of the new method, the selection process for construction managers, and the roles and responsibilities of both the construction manager and the engineer.

Additionally, the bill mandates that authorities select an engineer to prepare construction documents before choosing a construction manager and requires the adoption of weighted selection criteria for the contract award process. An evaluation team, consisting of at least three members with a majority being registered engineers, must be appointed to evaluate proposals. The bill also stipulates that the authority must rank offerors based on selection criteria, utilize an independent cost estimator for validating negotiated costs, and ensure that the construction manager provides performance and payment bonds within a specified timeframe. The bill will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

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