For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:

1. (a) “Best value” means a value determined by evaluation of objective criteria that may include, but are not limited to, cost factors, price, features, functions, life-cycle costs, experience, and past performance. 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 cost and other specified factors.
2. (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.
3. (c) “Department” means any department of the State of California authorized pursuant to Section 10215.1 to utilize progressive design-build contracting.
4. (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 progressive design-build contract.
5. (e) “Design-build project” means a capital project using the progressive design-build construction procurement process described in this article.
6. (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 civil, geotechnical, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing contractors.
7. (g) “Director” means the director of any department of the State of California authorized pursuant to Section 10215.1 to utilize progressive design-build contracting, or their designee.
8. (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.
9. (i) “Progressive design-build” means a project delivery process in which the design, preconstruction services, and construction of a project are procured, in one or more stages, from a single design-build entity that is selected through a qualifications-based selection at the earliest feasible stage of the project. However, the progressive design-build model offers flexibility to retain a different entity for the construction phase of the project, should the parties be unable to agree, after a specified portion of the design phase is complete, on a guaranteed maximum price for the construction phase.
10. (j) “Qualifications-based selection” means the process by which the department solicits for services from the design-build entities and that best value is the basis of the award.