Missouri Expands Design-Build Authority With New Progressive Design-Build Law

Highlights

• Missouri enacted House Bill 2474, expanding design-build procurement options for public owners statewide.
• The law authorizes all political subdivisions to use Progressive Design-Build (PDB) through a two-stage selection process.
• The minimum project threshold for design-build contracts will decrease from $7 million to $2.5 million.
• The legislation takes effect Aug. 28, 2026, with provisions remaining in place through Aug. 28, 2036.
• The measure follows Missouri's 2025 legislation permanently authorizing design-build procurement for political subdivisions.

Missouri public agencies will soon have broader access to alternative project delivery methods following the enactment of new legislation expanding design-build authority across the state. The new law introduces Progressive Design-Build (PDB) as a procurement option for political subdivisions while lowering the project value required to use design-build delivery.

Expanded Procurement Options for Public Owners

House Bill 2474 authorizes all Missouri political subdivisions to procure projects using Progressive Design-Build through a two-stage selection process.

The legislation also reduces the minimum contract value required to use design-build procurement from $7 million to $2.5 million, allowing a wider range of public projects to use the delivery method. The law was signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe on July 13 and will take effect on Aug. 28, 2026. The expanded authority is scheduled to remain in effect until Aug. 28, 2036.

The legislation builds on Senate Bill 10, approved during the 2025 legislative session, which permanently extended design-build authority for Missouri political subdivisions by eliminating the previous sunset provision.

Building on Previous Design-Build Projects

The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) said the expanded authority allows public owners to build on experience gained from recent Progressive Design-Build projects across Missouri.

Among the state's notable projects is the $1.5 billion Kansas City International Airport New Single Terminal and Garage, which was completed ahead of schedule and received multiple DBIA awards, including the organization's 2025 Project of the Year. Other Missouri projects recognized by DBIA include the MacArthur Bridge West Approach Modifications and the John Jay "Buck" O'Neil Memorial Bridge.

Why It Matters

For construction owners, contractors and design professionals, the legislation broadens access to collaborative project delivery methods that emphasize early coordination between owners, designers and builders. Lowering the project threshold also enables more local governments to consider design-build procurement for infrastructure and public facility projects, potentially expanding bidding opportunities across Missouri.

Source: DBIA.