Citation

Lameiras M. Am. City Cty. 2006; 121(8): 36-38.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Penton Media)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Some public works departments are beginning to use performance contracts for road maintenance projects because they require less oversight in these days of high demand for road maintenance and repair. This article describes the use of performance contracts for street repairs. The author reminds readers of the typical traditional maintenance contracts, then describes the differences between them and performance contracting. Performance contracting allocates responsibility among the parties. The contracts identify desired results and give contractors flexibility in choosing the methods and materials that they will use in meeting the goals of the contract. The author describes some road projects completed with performance contracting, including one in 2000 between the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DCDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and a Richmond, Virginia-based contractor. This 5-year, $70 million contract was used for all maintenance and preservation activities on the National Highway System in the District of Columbia that were previously the responsibility of the DCDOT. The author considers some of the drawbacks of performance contracting, which include a reluctance on the part of contractors to assume responsibility for some things over which they have no control, such as traffic volume, the environment (and weather), and pre-existing problems. One sidebar outlines the work of the FHWA to create performance contracting guidelines and the use of the FHWA program, Highways for LIFE, as a way to encourage performance contracting. Readers are referred to the relevant FHWA website (www.specs.fhwa.dot.gov) for more information.