This report contains comprehensive guidelines for implementing selected non-traditional contracting methods for highway construction projects; it includes guidelines for warranty, multi-parameter, and best value contracting. The contents of this report will be of immediate interest to state transportation agency personnel and others involved in the administration of construction contracts. Highway agencies have developed a system of contracting practices that specifies and stipulates exactly what is built, how it is built, what materials are used, and how traffic is maintained during construction. While this contracting practice tends to minimise the risks to the private contractor who is building a public project, it demands a substantial involvement by state highway agency personnel, which translates into high administrative costs. For this reason, this type of contracting method is being challenged, and other options are being sought by many agencies. Construction warranties, multi-parameter bidding, and best value are contracting methods not typically used in highway construction but could be refined and developed for successful use in highway construction contracts. Under NCHRP Project 10-49, “Improved Contracting Methods for Highway Construction Projects,” the Texas A&M Research Foundation was assigned the task of developing guidelines for implementation of warranty, multi-parameter, and best value contracting. To accomplish this objective, the researchers reviewed relevant domestic and foreign literature; surveyed the construction industry; and identified and evaluated contracting practices with consideration to compatibility with the low-bid system, impact on SHA resources, product quality, and risk allocation. Finally, the researchers developed guidelines for three non-traditional contracting methods: warranty, multi-parameter, and best value. The report presents these guidelines and provides case studies and examples for their use in highway construction. Warranty, multi-parameter, and best value are viable options for contracting of highway construction projects. The guidelines highlight the advantages and disadvantages of these three contracting methods and present a systematic approach for their implementation. These non-traditional contracting options will be particularly beneficial in specific situations and, therefore, should be given appropriate consideration in the selection of the contracting method. (A) This report may be accessed by Internet users at http://gulliver.trb.org/publications/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_451.pdf
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