CSI Project Delivery Methods 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which project delivery method typically results in the shortest overall project duration when schedule is the primary driver?
- Design-Bid-Build
- Design-Build with fast-track scheduling (Correct answer)
- Multiple Prime Contracting
- Competitive sealed bidding with addenda
Correct answer: Design-Build with fast-track scheduling
Design-Build allows design and construction to overlap (fast-track), compressing the schedule compared to fully sequential methods like Design-Bid-Build.
Question 2: In CSI's MasterFormat context, which section of Division 00 typically addresses project delivery method requirements and procurement procedures?
- Section 00 21 00 – Instructions to Bidders (Correct answer)
- Section 00 72 00 – General Conditions
- Section 00 91 00 – Addenda
- Section 00 43 00 – Bid Forms
Correct answer: Section 00 21 00 – Instructions to Bidders
Section 00 21 00 Instructions to Bidders outlines the procurement procedures, eligibility, and delivery method requirements that govern how bids are submitted.
Question 3: An owner using CMAR selects the construction manager based on qualifications rather than price. This selection approach is known as:
- Competitive sealed bidding
- Qualifications-based selection (QBS) (Correct answer)
- Best value selection
- Sole-source procurement
Correct answer: Qualifications-based selection (QBS)
Qualifications-based selection (QBS) evaluates the CM's experience, expertise, and team rather than price, which is negotiated later after the GMP is established.
Question 4: Which delivery method typically places the greatest construction cost risk on the contractor?
- Cost-plus with no cap
- Construction Manager as Agent
- Lump-sum Design-Bid-Build (Correct answer)
- Cost-plus with audit rights
Correct answer: Lump-sum Design-Bid-Build
In a lump-sum contract under Design-Bid-Build, the contractor bears all cost risk above the fixed bid amount, absorbing overruns from its own profit.
Question 5: What distinguishes a 'best value' procurement from a 'low-bid' procurement in project delivery?
- Best value considers only the contractor's bonding capacity
- Best value weighs both price and non-price factors such as qualifications and schedule (Correct answer)
- Best value awards to the highest technical score regardless of cost
- Best value is only applicable to federal projects
Correct answer: Best value weighs both price and non-price factors such as qualifications and schedule
Best value procurement evaluates a combination of price and qualitative factors (experience, proposed schedule, technical approach) to determine the most advantageous offer.
Question 6: Under Design-Build, the 'bridging' approach involves the owner hiring a designer to:
- Complete 100% construction documents before soliciting design-builders
- Develop partial design criteria documents that the design-builder then completes (Correct answer)
- Act as construction inspector during the build phase
- Negotiate the GMP on the owner's behalf
Correct answer: Develop partial design criteria documents that the design-builder then completes
Bridging uses an owner's criteria designer to develop schematic or design development documents that define requirements, which the design-builder then uses to complete the design and construct the project.
Question 7: Which document type is most commonly used to solicit proposals for a Design-Build project?
- Invitation to Bid (ITB)
- Request for Proposal (RFP) (Correct answer)
- Notice to Proceed (NTP)
- Request for Information (RFI)
Correct answer: Request for Proposal (RFP)
A Request for Proposal (RFP) is used for Design-Build because it solicits both technical approaches and pricing rather than just a price on defined documents.
CSI Project Delivery Methods 3
Which project delivery method typically results in the shortest overall project duration when schedule is the primary driver?