Open-book pricing is widely recognized as a key benefit of construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) and progressive design-build (PDB) delivery. By enabling agencies and contractors to negotiate construction pricing after award using transparent cost information, open-book approaches are intended to foster collaboration, manage risk, and build confidence in the final agreed price. TRB will host a webinar on Monday, April 13, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern that will examine how agencies both structure and manage open-book price negotiations in practice, with a focus on processes, documentation, and risk considerations. Presenters will discuss key elements that should be included in CMGC and PDB solicitations and preconstruction services contracts to support effective and transparent price development.
This webinar is based on NCHRP Synthesis 653: Open-Book Pricing Practices for Construction Manager/General Contractor and Progressive Design-Build Projects.
This webinar is sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program.
The registration fee is $60. Purchase a webinar package for discounted pricing. Complimentary registration is available for employees of TRB sponsors, standing technical committee chairs, involved CRP panel members, media, congressional staff, and TRB or National Academies staff. Visit MyTRB.org for details.
A recording will be sent to all registrants after the webinar.
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Introduction to open-book pricing in CMGC and PDB – Douglas Gransberg, Gransberg & Associates, Inc.
• Independent cost estimator’s role in open-book solicitations and CMGC/PDB contracts – Marko Pala, Stanton Constructability Services, LLC.
• Question and answer session moderated by Ricardo Tapia, Tapia & Associates Corp.

The first 40 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 20 minutes will be reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Prepare the necessary solicitation and contract clauses to facilitate successful open-book pricing negotiations
• Demonstrate the basic knowledge of the open-book pricing process and its application to alternative project delivery

 
Professional Development Hours
Professional engineers (PEs) who register and attend the entire webinar as an individual will be awarded 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH). TRB’s webinar program awards PDH credits only to the registered individual, and not to other members of a group that view the webinar together. To be eligible for the credits, individuals must remain signed in for the entire webinar, including for any question and answer session following the presentations.
This webinar will be delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.
Please check with your licensing board to ensure that TRB webinar PDHs are approved by your board.
TRB will report credits earned to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Complaints about registered providers may be sent to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, D.C., 20005.
 
Pre-registration is required. Once the webinar starts, you will be unable to register. Individuals that are registered for a webinar but do not receive their confirmation emails due to their organization’s internal firewalls should contact TRB Helpdesk for assistance in signing in.
View our FAQ page for more information.
Registration questions? Contact TRB webinar program.