DBIA NYC Metro Region

Getting Federal Design-Build Right: The Role of Qualifications-Based Selection
2026-01-28 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | PA
Federal agencies are under increasing pressure to deliver complex facilities faster, with greater certainty and under tighter oversight. Design-build, when paired with Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS), offers a proven path to meeting these demands while strengthening accountability and performance.
This webinar provides a practical, federal-specific look at how design-build delivery works today, why QBS aligns squarely with core Federal acquisition principles and how agencies can apply both more effectively. Drawing on lessons learned from recent FBI design-build programs, Dave Triplett, DBIA, Chief Contracting Officer with the FBI, will examine what works, what doesn’t and how acquisition decisions made early in the process directly impact post-award execution.
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:

Explain how design-build delivery is currently used in the Federal sector, including key differences from traditional procurement approaches and where agencies have the most flexibility.
Describe how QBS aligns with Federal acquisition principles, including best value, risk management and accountability for performance.
Apply lessons learned from recent FBI design-build programs to inform acquisition planning, team selection and project oversight decisions.
Identify best practices for acquisition strategy development and post-award execution that support successful design-build outcomes in a federal environment.
Recognize opportunities for innovation within existing and emerging regulatory frameworks, enabling agencies to deliver complex projects more effectively without compromising compliance.

Whether you are shaping policy, planning procurements or executing projects, this session will offer actionable insights to help federal teams deliver better outcomes.
Attendees can earn 1.0 Continuing Education Hour (CEH) and registration is FREE for DBIA members and only $25 for non-members.

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The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) represents thousands of diverse organizations and individuals including architects, engineers, Owners, contractors, manufacturers and more who deliver some of the nation’s most successful projects. As the true authority on Design-Build Done Right®, we are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time. Learn more.

Conceptual Estimating – February 9 (Edison, NJ)
2026-02-09 | Raritan, 301 Meadow Road, #B, Edison, NJ, 08817, United States
One of the hallmarks of design-build project delivery is early knowledge of costs. This course introduces the fundamentals of conceptual estimating and how to go about assessing risk and calculating costs before design is complete. (6 CEUs)
At the end of the course students will be able to:

Describe the role of the estimator in design-build
Describe the various influences affecting building costs
Describe the various types of estimates
Describe how estimates are organized using standard estimating formats
Explain how to use an estimating manual
Describe how unit prices are developed; explain the fundamental concepts of value engineering
Explain how to manage and control costs throughout the design process
Describe the various checks and balances needed to ensure the reliability of the estimate

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Progressive Design-Build Done Right
2026-02-16 08:00 - 17:00 | ARUP, 140 Broadway, 40th floor - East River Conference Room, New York, NY, 10005, United States
Progressive Design-Build Done Right (TM)
The flexibility of design-build project delivery allows an Owner to choose among various approaches for procurement and contracting. In progressive design-build (PDB) the Owner “progresses” towards a design and contract price with the team, making it an increasingly popular delivery option. Using real-world case studies of exceptional outcomes, taught by some of the nation’s most experienced PDB Owners and practitioners, this course will help participants:

Gain insight into the flexibility of design-build project delivery and the trade-offs, key considerations and opportunities of the various procurement approaches.
Understand how Design-Build Done Right® best practices and principles apply to Progressive Design-Build (PDB).
Take a deep dive into PDB, including a close look at what it means, key characteristics and how to determine if PDB is right for a project.
Learn key elements of successful procurement, contracting and post-award execution for PDB.

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Event Information
Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Arup – Manhattan 140 Broadway, 40th floor – East River conference room, New York, NY 10005
8 DBIA CEH will be provided for those who register and attend this program.

Robynne Thaxton, JD, FDBIA Attorney, Thaxton Parkinson. PLLC
Robynne Thaxton is a Seattle based lawyer and consultant and a leading expert in construction law and alternative procurement both in Washington State and on a national basis. She is the principal and founder of Thaxton Parkinson PLLC and Progressive Design-Build Consulting, LLC. In addition to being a DBIA instructor since 2005, Robynne served for seven years on the National DBIA Board of Directors and currently serves as the Chair of the DBIA National Progressive Design-Build Committee. She is also in the inaugural class of DBIA “Fellows”. Robynne was a member of the Washington State Capital Projects Advisory Review Board from 2019-2023. Robynne is AV rated by Martindale-Hubble and has been named as a Washington Super Lawyer from 2010 to 2023. Robynne’s practice primarily focuses on developing design-build procurement and contract documents for public owners. In addition to traditional design-build projects, she has worked on more than 30 progressive design-build projects worth over $5 billion. Representative clients include Toronto Transit Commission, Bonneville Power Administration, the Port of Seattle; the Cities of Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Wenatchee; the State of Washington; WSDOT; and Western Washington University. Robynne received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her law degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder School of Law.

DBIA Certification Workshop – April 27-29 (New York, NY)
2026-04-27 - 2026-04-29 | NYC Seminar and Conference Center, 114 West 26th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10001, United States
A three-day intensive program including the three DBIA core courses required for certification plus access to the code of conduct and exam prep webinars. We advise attendees to take the code of conduct webinar before the workshop.
Coffee/tea will be provided in the morning and lunch will be provided at approximately 12 noon.
Code of Conduct Webinar (Pre-Workshop)
Day 1: Setting the Stage for Design-Build Success
Day 2: Collaborating for Exceptional Outcomes
Day 3: Contracts & Risk Management
Exam Prep Webinar (Post-Workshop)
Format: In Person
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DBIA Certification Workshop – June 17-19
2026-06-17 - 2026-06-19 | NYC Seminar and Conference Center, 114 West 26th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10001, United States

Selecting & Using an Owner Advisor – August 14
2026-08-14 | PA
More information coming soon!

Conceptual Estimating – October 9
2026-10-09 | PA
