3. a. If a contracting unit determines in its discretion that the design-build approach meets their needs better than the traditional design-bid-build approach established under New Jersey public procurement statutes for the project or projects under consideration, it shall be the public policy of this State to permit that contracting unit to enter into design-build contracts as defined in section 2 of P.L.2021, c.71 (C. 52:35B-2), provided the following conditions are met:

(1) The contracting unit shall, prior to issuing solicitations, publish procedures consistent with regulations promulgated by the contracting unit, where applicable for the solicitation and award of design-build contracts, and shall adhere to sections 2 through 9 of P.L.2021, c.71 (C. 52:35B-2 through C. 52:35B-9) and those procedures; and

(2) The contracting unit shall, for each public project or projects under sections 2 through 9 of P.L.2021, c.71 (C. 52:35B-2 through C. 52:35B-9), make a determination based on the timeliness of the project or projects that it is in the best interest of the public to enter into a design-build contract to complete the public project or projects.

b. All workers employed in a design-build construction project shall be paid the prevailing wage determined by the Commissioner of Labor pursuant to the provisions of the “New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act,” P.L.1963, c.150 (C. 34:11-56.25 et seq.).

c. Except where the contracting unit is the Department of Transportation, all design-build construction projects shall be encouraged to adhere to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System as adopted by the United States Green Building Council, the Green Globes Program adopted by the Green Building Initiative, or a comparable nationally recognized, accepted, and appropriate sustainable development system.

d. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 2 through 9 of P.L.2021, c.71 (C. 52:35B-2 through C. 52:35B-9) to the contrary, an independent State transportation authority which already has an established prequalification, project rating, or proposal process for design-build contracts as of the effective date of P.L.2021, c.71 (C. 52:35B-1 et al.) may continue to award design-build contracts pursuant to that process.

L.2021, c.71, s.3.