Industry Days Program/Workshops & Sessions

As federal agencies face evolving priorities, budget uncertainties and procurement regulations, understanding economic trends is more important than ever. In this session, FMI CEO Chris Daum will provide an economic forecast focused on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for federal agencies and their industry partners. With expertise in market dynamics and construction trends, Daum will help attendees understand what’s driving change and how to position themselves to succeed in an unpredictable environment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify key economic trends affecting federal agencies and their industry partners in the current and forecasted market environment.
2. Analyze the impact of shifting federal priorities, budget uncertainties, and procurement regulations on agency operations and planning.
3. Explore construction and market dynamics influencing strategic decisions for agencies and contractors.
4. Develop strategies to adapt and succeed in a volatile economic and regulatory landscape based on expert insights.

Begin wrapping up your Industry Days experience by turning insights into action. This session pulls together key lessons from earlier workshops and case studies to help you craft a practical Design-Build Action Plan tailored to the unique demands of the federal sector. Walk away with proven tools and strategies to build or strengthen a federal design-build program that saves time, aligns with agency priorities and delivers future-ready, high-impact results. Federal design-build leaders will share actionable advice and real-world solutions to help your team put its plan into motion. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Develop a customized Design-Build Action Plan by synthesizing lessons from previous workshops, case studies, and expert insights. 
2. Apply proven tools and strategies to design and implement a federal design-build program that enhances efficiency and reduces project delivery time. 
3. Identify common challenges in federal design-build projects and explore proactive solutions to align with federal mandates and stakeholder priorities. 
4. Leverage industry-leading practices and expert guidance to drive future-ready, high-value project outcomes within the federal design-build framework. 

This case study provides a glimpse into how the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) created its Design-Build program and how through years of experience and lessons learned it has evolved its Design-Build program to keep it relevant and fresh to become an Owner of Choice.  NREL’s completed projects have received numerous national and local awards and its program has been tested over sixteen years by an economic recession, a strained supply chain, and rapidly escalating construction and materials costs.  NREL was recently recognized with a 2024 DBIA National Award as an Enlightened Owner. 

With shifting workforce needs and a push to optimize real estate assets, federal agencies face both a challenge and an opportunity: how to repurpose existing buildings efficiently and effectively. This session explores why design-build is uniquely suited to tackle the complexities of adaptive reuse — offering speed, collaboration and flexibility. Learn how integrated teams are navigating outdated infrastructure, specialized facility requirements and modern compliance demands while staying on budget and on schedule. Discover strategies that turn aging assets into high-performing, mission-ready spaces.Shape 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand the challenges and opportunities of repurposing federal buildings in the current policy and funding climate. 
2. Identify the core benefits of using the Design-Build model for adaptive reuse projects, particularly in reducing cost, risk, and schedule delays. 
3. Explore real-world examples of federal projects that were successfully repurposed through Design-Build. 
4. Learn strategies for updating outdated infrastructure, specialized facilities, and code compliance. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation looked to design-build to realize their mission of designing and building a state-of-the-art new campus at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, and now the principles of Design-Build Done Right® are at the heart of their facilities acquisition program.  In this case study, the FBI team will discuss and explore the FBI’s embrace of Design-Build Done Right®, including how the FBI educated their team, learned from others’ mistakes, and transformed their procedures and way of thinking. The FBI now has an exemplary design-build program and is putting it to work to deliver optimal, responsible, and cost-effective projects.