DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Procuring Design-Build Services Questions and Answers

Question 1

An owner is using a two-phase best value selection process for a complex hospital project. According to DBIA best practices, what should be the primary focus during Phase 1 (RFQ)?

Accepted Answer

The qualifications, experience, and past performance of the design-build teams.

Answer

DBIA best practices emphasize that Phase 1 of a two-phase best value procurement should focus on selecting the most qualified teams. The evaluation should be based on factors like experience, past performance, key personnel, and the team's understanding of the project, rather than on detailed design or price at this early stage.

Question 2

A public agency is preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a design-build project. To encourage high-quality, innovative proposals from the shortlisted firms, the agency is considering offering a payment to the unsuccessful proposers. This payment is known as a:

Accepted Answer

Stipend

Answer

A stipend is a payment offered to unsuccessful, but responsive, proposers in a design-build competition to offset the significant cost of preparing a detailed proposal. This practice encourages more firms to compete, leading to better quality and more innovative solutions for the owner.

Question 3

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process for procuring design-build services?

Accepted Answer

The design-builder is selected primarily on qualifications, with price being negotiated after selection.

Answer

In a Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process, the design-builder is selected based on their qualifications, experience, and team competence, not price. After the most qualified firm is selected, the owner and the design-builder collaborate to define the scope and negotiate a price for the project.

Question 4

A city is procuring design-build services for a new fire station. They have shortlisted three qualified teams. To ensure a fair and transparent selection in the second phase, the RFP should clearly articulate the:

Accepted Answer

Evaluation criteria and their relative order of importance.

Answer

DBIA strongly recommends that the basis for evaluating best value design-build proposals, including all evaluation criteria and their relative importance, be clearly articulated in the RFP. This transparency allows proposers to focus their efforts on what is most important to the owner and ensures a fair and defensible selection process.

Question 5

When procuring design-build services, maximizing the use of performance-based requirements instead of prescriptive specifications allows for what primary benefit?

Accepted Answer

Empowers the design-build team to innovate and find the best solution to meet the owner's needs.

Answer

Performance-based requirements define the desired outcomes and functional requirements of the project, giving the design-build team the flexibility to innovate and propose creative, value-based solutions. Prescriptive specifications, in contrast, dictate the specific materials and methods, which can stifle innovation.

DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Certification Practice Test

DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Certification Practice Test

DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Procuring Design-Build Services Questions and Answers