BHB/2/14
Sponsored by Kaarunya Kaki, Aneesh Chepuri, Aarush Jawale of Ravenwood High School
This legislation was filed in the Transportation category
Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference
| 1 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Section 1: Terms defined in this act, unless the context requires otherwise, shall be defined as |
| 4 | follows: |
| 5 | A) Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT): This is the state agency responsible for |
| 6 | planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining transportation infrastructure. |
| 7 | B) Public-Private Partnership (P3): An arrangement/agreement between public and private sectors |
| 8 | for the development, financing, operation, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure |
| 9 | projects. |
| 10 | C) Request for Proposals (RFP): A competitive process used by TDOT to invite private sector firms |
| 11 | to submit proposals for P3 projects. |
| 12 | D) Preferred Bidder: The private sector firm selected by TDOT through the RFP process to enter |
| 13 | into negotiations for a P3 agreement. |
| 14 | E) Alternative Delivery Methods: Innovative approaches to project delivery, such as Design-Build |
| 15 | (DB), Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC), and Progressive Design-Build (PDB), |
| 16 | aim to accelerate project timelines and reduce transport costs. |
| 17 | F) Empowering People, Influencing Culture (EPIC): TDOT's initiative aimed to reorganize |
| 18 | operations, streamline the organization, and foster a more efficient project delivery model. |
| 19 | G) Integrated Program Delivery (IPD): TDOT's initiative focused on transitioning from an |
| 20 | assembly-line, straight approach to project delivery to a team-based approach. |
| 21 | |
| 22 | Section 2: This act applies to all transportation infrastructure projects undertaken by the TDOT |
| 23 | within Tennessee. |
| 24 | |
| 25 | Section 3: The TDOT will employ P3s for all forthcoming infrastructure projects if they meet the |
| 26 | criteria, are economically feasible, serve the public interest, adhere to legal requirements, involve |
| 27 | the public, and are well overseen. |
| 28 | |
| 29 | Section 4: The TDOT shall initiate a clear and competitive process by issuing an RFP for |
| 30 | transportation infrastructure projects eligible for P3 implementation. The RFP shall outline the |
| 31 | project width, requirements, criteria, and legalities, ensuring transparency and fairness in the |
| 32 | selection process. |
| 33 | |
| 34 | Section 5: Upon bidding to select a preferred private sector firm, the TDOT shall negotiate to |
| 35 | finalize the terms of the P3 agreement. These negotiations include discussing project scope, |
| 36 | performance standards, risk allocation, revenue-sharing arrangements, and financing terms. |
| 37 | |
| 38 | Section 6: The TDOT shall oversee the implementation of P3 projects, ensuring compliance with |
| 39 | contractual obligations, performance standards, and regulatory requirements. |
| 40 | |
| 41 | Section 7: The TDOT shall utilize alternative delivery methods, such as DB, CM/GC, and PDB, to |
| 42 | streamline project delivery processes and overcome transportation delays. These delivery methods |
| 43 | must be evaluated, selected, and implemented according to guidelines and procedures developed |
| 44 | by the TDOT. |
| 45 | |
| 46 | Section 8: The TDOT shall periodically assess an evaluation of the progress and performance of |
| 47 | projects delivered through alternative delivery methods to/and assess their impact on project |
| 48 | delivery and identify areas for improvement. |
| 49 | |
| 50 | Section 9: The TDOT shall implement the EPIC initiative to reorganize operations and increase |
| 51 | salaries. Additionally, TDOT will transition to the IPD approach for faster project delivery. |
| 52 | |
| 53 | Section 10: The TDOT will develop and execute a orderly plan for implementing EPIC and IPD, |
| 54 | ensuring conciceness and engagement with stakeholders. An oversight committee will assess and |
| 55 | moniter progress and provide regular reports to stakeholders. |
| 56 | |
| 57 | Section 11: The TDOT's budget will allocate from the state of Tennessee 4 billion USD needed to |
| 58 | efficiently solve transportation-infrastructure challenges in the state of Tennessee, including the |
| 59 | implementation of P3s with private sector firms, RFP, Alternate Delivery, EPIC, and IPD, among |
| 60 | other important variables and tasks. |
| 61 | |
| 62 | Section 12: Along with the implementation of private and public sectors of transportation, the |
| 63 | state of Tennessee will use the help of the TDOT and P3s to build outer ring roads around major |
| 64 | urban areas and cities. |
| 65 | |
| 66 | Section 13: All laws in conflict with this act are now repealed. |
| 67 | |
| 68 | Section 14: This act shall take effect immediately upon passage and implementation by the state |
| 69 | of Tennessee. |
| 70 |