California Code, Public Contract Code - PCC § 10198

(a) “Best value” means a value determined by evaluation of objective criteria that relate to demonstrated competence and on the professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of the services required. Other factors such as price, features, functions, and life-cycle costs may be considered. If the qualifications-based selection process includes estimates of cost as a factor, a best value determination may involve the selection of the lowest cost proposal meeting the interests of the department and meeting the objectives of the project, or a tradeoff between price and other specified factors.

(b) “Construction subcontract” means each subcontract awarded by the design-build entity to a subcontractor that will perform work or labor or render service to the design-build entity in or about the construction of the work or improvement, or a subcontractor licensed by the State of California that, under subcontract to the design-build entity, specially fabricates and installs a portion of the work or improvement according to detailed drawings contained in the plans and specifications produced by the design-build team.

(c) “Department” means the Department of General Services.

(d) “Design-build entity” means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, or other legal entity that is able to provide appropriately licensed contracting, architectural, and engineering services as needed pursuant to a design-build contract.

(e) “Design-build project” means a capital outlay project using the progressive design-build construction procurement process described in this article.

(f) “Design-build team” means the design-build entity itself and the individuals and other entities identified by the design-build entity as members of its team. Members shall include the general contractor and, if utilized in the design of the project, all electrical, mechanical, and plumbing contractors.

(g) “Director” means the Director of General Services or their designee.

(h) “Guaranteed maximum price” means the maximum payment amount agreed upon by the department and the design-build entity for the design-build entity to finish all remaining design, preconstruction, and construction activities sufficient to complete and close out the project.

(i) “Progressive design-build” means a project delivery process in which both the design and construction of a project are procured from a single entity that is selected through a qualifications-based selection at the earliest feasible stage of the project.

(j) “Qualifications-based selection” means the process by which the department solicits for services from the design-build entities.