Delegated Design - What to Know
If you are seeing delegated design in your contracts for the first time, or if you see this phrase regularly, be aware of the pitfalls for subcontractors in delegated design projects. This article from ConcensusDocs provides a good primer. Some things to consider:
- The GC or Owner should put guardrails around the elements of the design that is delegated to you. What are you responsible for and what is the design professional responsible for?
- How are gray areas addressed so that responsibility does not fall on the subcontractor?
- How does your design interface with the designs provided by other trades?
- Are you accepting a fair level of liability for your design?
- Do laws in the DMV affect the wording in your contract on delegated design? ASAMW will be addressing this in the near future.
There are cases where subcontractors benefit from delegated design projects, but only if they are aware of the risks.
Billd on Payments
The 2025 report, from 2024 data from Billd reveals the obvious. If you have the wherewithal to include the cost of working capital in your bids, then you are 41% more likely to succeed. The reports states, “These companies not only report higher profitability and revenue—they also win more bids.” Are you surprised? Unfortunately, many subcontractors accept the risk of completing a job without profit and/or going out of business, for lack of cash flow. Subcontractors wait an average of 56 days for payment, while the rest of the world lives on 30-days pay. Some survive and some are even successful, but this is an unsustainable factor in the life of the subcontractor.
This Construction Dive article clearly states the issues raised by this study.
DMV Economy
The April 2025 Federal Reserve’s Beige Book reports that Commercial real estate had a slight increase despite some uncertainty and hesitation. Multifamily construction continued where projects had already started but few new projects were being green lit. Demand for retail and restaurant space remained strong despite some major retailers closing locations. Office space saw a slight decrease in vacancies as companies brought more workers back into the office. Construction continued to slow, in conjunction with fears that public sector projects will not have federal funds as expected. Few members are reporting a lack of work. How is your work picture?
Big Water Project
A few of our members will be interested in the Anacostia Area Sewers Rehabilitation project…projected to be $431 million. There will be an outreach event on Monday at the Hilton in L’Enfant Plaza. Click here to register.
Confused about DEI?
Members may be confused about what they can and cannot do as a result of recent executive orders on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). This article from IFEBP clarifies some of the steps you might consider:
- Make sure your policies do not allow for taking an employment action motivated…by race, sex or another protected characteristic.
- Make sure your policies do not limit, segregate or classify employees or applicants based on race, sex or other protected characteristic.
Crew Communication Workshop
What a great group of subs and GCs talking about communication on Tuesday. There was an emotional discussion about dealing with people in difficult situations. Many in the class shared how they deal with emotional intelligence, cognitive bias, listening and speaking so that there is true communication. This was one of the most valuable sessions we have had.
ASA Article on Tariffs
Here is an article offered by our national ASA office that shows how six subcontract clauses are affected by tariffs. Read and be aware in order to protect your company from unrecoverable costs.
Capital One
Construction Dive lists the Capital One modernization project as one of the largest projects to break ground in March. Reply to this email if you have any information on how this project is going.
SubExcel
Our national organization of ASA is having its annual conference in Oklahoma City this year. I have never been to Oklahoma City…it looks interesting to me. I think we will have a good group from our Metro Washington Chapter; I highly recommend that you attend. Click here for more information and attend on September 16 – 18, 2025.
Your AI Assistant Doesn’t Sleep — Use It
There’s always more to do than time to do it — emails to write, scopes to prep, job notes to clean up. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it all yourself, or all at once.
Here’s your next Blue Collar AI tip: put AI to work while you’re working — just not on the same thing.
Say you’ve got a few rough notes after a site walk. Or a voice memo with what you meant to put in that proposal. Or an inbox full of emails you haven’t had time to respond to. Instead of stopping your day to type it all out, you can hand that off to AI — and let it prep emails, organize your notes, or even review a contract while you're on the jobsite doing what only you can do.
It’s not magic. It’s workflow.
And it means you don’t need to find more time — just a better system.
AI fits into your rhythm. It’s ready when you are, works with whatever you give it, and helps move things forward without slowing you down. No pressure. No extra coordination. Just less mental clutter and more momentum.
We’ll show you how to set this up in our Blue Collar AI session with ASA. It’s like having a digital teammate that’s always ready to jump in — so you can stay focused on building, leading, and getting the real work done.
MEMBER NEWS
Scott Long is ASAMW’s newest GC Partner. We welcome John Scott and his team to the BEST of the construction industry in the DMV.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 6, 2025 – Yoga & Wine with NAWIC
May 13, 2025 – Virtual SIE (Sub/Supplier Members Only)
May 29, 2025 – Annual Membership Meeting & Legislative Panel
June 13, 2025 - Blue Collar AI Workshop
Sept. 4, 2025 - Fall Golf Tournament
Sept. 9, 2025 - SAVE THE DATE - ASAMW/CFMA Joint Event
March 7, 2026 - SAVE THE DATE - 62nd Annual Subby Awards Gala
