Iowa Senate Bill SSB1168

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/25
• Refer: 2/20/25

Caption

A bill for an act related to guaranteed maximum price contracts for the construction of public improvements.

Impact

The legislation mandates that all proposals submitted by construction managers must include detailed costs related to general conditions and prohibits the inclusion of contingency amounts. Any bids that feature contingent costs will be rejected outright. This approach aims to increase transparency and accountability in governmental contracting processes, ensuring that proposals reflect actual costs without the cushion of unallocated funds, which could complicate project budgeting.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1168 addresses the procedures and requirements related to guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contracts specifically for the construction of public improvements in the state of Iowa. According to the new provisions proposed in the bill, governmental entities will be permitted to enter into GMP contracts only for projects with an estimated cost exceeding $150 million. This establishes a clear financial threshold for when such contracts can be utilized, which is intended to streamline and regulate large scale public construction projects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SSB1168 seeks to regulate GMP contracts in a manner that emphasizes financial thresholds and cost specifics, potentially altering the competitive landscape for construction managers engaged in public works. While supporters might advocate for increased efficiency and clarity in public bidding processes, detractors are cautious about the quality and effectiveness of projects under strict cost-based contracting strategies.

Contention

One of the core points of contention surrounding SSB1168 relates to the requirement for selection based on the lowest cost proposal rather than the 'best value' proposition. The bill removes previous allowances for governmental entities to consider additional project benefits or overarching value when selecting contractors, potentially raising concerns about the quality of work delivered. Critics argue that this could lead to a focus strictly on cost-cutting at the expense of quality and performance, which may have long-term repercussions for public infrastructure projects.