The CALINFRA Online Resource Center brings together plain-language guidance, graphics, case studies, and tools to help California agencies understand and apply alternative project delivery methods.
Use these pages to explain options to leadership, support delivery method selection, and build a shared understanding across teams and partners.
The Resource Center is organized so that a newcomer can start with basics, and more experienced users can quickly access deeper guidance and tools.
Public pages explain each delivery method in simple terms: how it works, how it differs from Design-Bid-Build, advantages, and challenges. Each page includes a clear graphic, key takeaways, and "when to use" guidance.
Good for: board/staff briefings, early project conversations, and orientation for new team members.
Member pages will go further, with statutory references, federal requirements, phasing diagrams, and real-world case studies that show how these models perform in practice.
Good for: legal, procurement, and technical teams preparing major procurements or internal guidance.
These materials are under development and will be available to members soon.
The glossary explains key terms and concepts used in alternative delivery, from "best-value" to "availability payments" and "progressive P3". Use it as a reference while exploring delivery methods.
Good for: anyone new to alternative delivery terminology or needing quick reference definitions.
You don't need to read everything in order. Use the Resource Center as a toolkit and pick the pieces that match where you are in your project.
Not sure what a term means? The glossary explains the language of alternative delivery, from "best-value" to "availability payments" and "progressive P3".
Keep the glossary open in a separate tab while you browse the Resource Center.
Open glossaryThe Resource Center is designed so that different audiences can quickly find what they need:
Use the public delivery method pages and overview graphics to explain trade-offs between models and support policy or program decisions.
Review delivery method overviews to understand the fundamentals of each approach and identify which methods may be appropriate for your projects.
Use the delivery method pages to understand basic structures and requirements. Member resources (coming soon) will provide statutory authority and detailed procurement guidance.
Overview pages are open to all visitors, so you can share them broadly with partners and stakeholders. More detailed materials — including legal authority summaries, federal requirements, and case studies — will be available to logged-in CALINFRA members in the near future.
CALINFRA members also have access to customized workshops and training sessions. If you're interested in learning more about membership benefits or scheduling a training, please contact us.
Legal Disclaimer: The information included in this Online Resource Center is summary information provided as an introduction to the delivery methods referenced. It does not constitute legal advice and is not intended to provide a comprehensive review of the delivery methods nor the related law and practice, nor is it intended to cover all aspects of each delivery method referred to. Please take legal advice before applying anything contained in these materials to specific issues or transactions. If you are a member and would like more information, please reach out to CALINFRA to enquire about scheduling a training session.
