State highways agencies policies and procedures for articulating geotechnical information and requirements on Design-Build (DB) projects is a means to manage geotechnical risks. Successful approaches and practices to managing geotechnical risk not only reduce the level of geotechnical uncertainty for both the owner and the competing design-builder, but also distribute the remaining geotechnical risk between the parties. This paper discusses the differences in regard to geotechnical risk management, aspects of the DB procurement process, and contract aspects between state departments of transportation (DOT) with experience delivering projects using DB versus those who are not as experienced. Results are presented from two independent sources of information; one was obtained through literature review of aspects related to geotechnical requirements and management of DB projects, and the other was through an online-survey of 38 DOTs. Results of the study statistically demonstrate the value of DB experience in managing geotechnical risks, and accordingly presents a set of recommended practices for agencies that are relatively new to DB project delivery, during both procurement and contract formation.