Expands what qualifies as an authorized project for the "county of Westchester public works investment act"

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Andrea Stewart-Cousins says this is needed

In 2019, seven New York City agencies received authorization to utilize Design-Build project delivery (as opposed to Design-Bid-Build) through the Public Works Investment Act (PWIA). Design-Build consolidates projects into one point of responsibility on the basis of which the design and construction team can deliver the best project at the best value. Under the current Design Bid-Build model, the 'Design' and 'Build' components of a project are barred from collaboration, slowing project schedules, increasing cost, and resulting in lower quality in final completed projects. In 2025, the Legislature authorized specific agencies within Westchester County to use design-build contracts when accepting bids for four specific construction projects, leading to significant cost savings for the County and its taxpayers. Many municipalities within Westchester county face serious challenges related to flooding. These challenges grow more severe each year they go unaddressed. In recent years, the federal government has cut funding for FEMA and eliminated grant programs that fund flood mitigation efforts. Allowing for the use of design-build contracts in the bidding process for the eight additional projects outlined in this bill will provide Westchester County with enough cost savings to undertake flood miti- gation work despite the increased fiscal pressures from a hostile feder- al government.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.