DBIA Design-Build Fundamentals and Principles 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes 'integrated project delivery' as it relates to design-build principles?
- Delivering the project in multiple separate contracts
- Aligning the interests of owner, designer, and constructor to optimize project outcomes collaboratively (Correct answer)
- Separating design and construction responsibilities to minimize disputes
- Using only union labor for all project phases
Correct answer: Aligning the interests of owner, designer, and constructor to optimize project outcomes collaboratively
Integrated project delivery aligns stakeholder interests and encourages collaboration, a core principle underlying design-build philosophy.
Question 2: What is the significance of 'teaming agreements' in design-build procurement?
- They replace the design-build contract with the owner
- They formalize the relationship between the lead design-builder and its design and construction partners before contract award (Correct answer)
- They are required by federal law for all public projects
- They assign liability solely to the design firm
Correct answer: They formalize the relationship between the lead design-builder and its design and construction partners before contract award
Teaming agreements establish roles, responsibilities, and arrangements between team members prior to submitting a proposal.
Question 3: Which statement best describes the owner's involvement in design decisions under a design-build contract?
- The owner approves every design decision before proceeding
- The owner defines requirements and reviews milestones but delegates detailed design decisions to the design-builder (Correct answer)
- The owner has no input once the contract is signed
- The owner directs all subcontractor selection
Correct answer: The owner defines requirements and reviews milestones but delegates detailed design decisions to the design-builder
Owners set performance requirements and review key milestones but rely on the design-builder to make detailed design decisions within those parameters.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a 'concept proposal' in a two-step design-build procurement?
- To establish final construction pricing
- To allow shortlisted teams to demonstrate their design approach and qualifications before final proposal (Correct answer)
- To issue the notice to proceed
- To obtain building permits
Correct answer: To allow shortlisted teams to demonstrate their design approach and qualifications before final proposal
Concept proposals let shortlisted firms demonstrate technical approach, creativity, and understanding before submitting final priced proposals.
Question 5: Which insurance product is specifically important for design-builders because it covers both professional design liability and construction defects under one policy?
- General liability insurance
- Contractor's pollution liability
- Professional liability (E&O) insurance
- Consolidated (wrap-up) program with design-build endorsement (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Consolidated (wrap-up) program with design-build endorsement
A consolidated wrap-up program with design-build endorsements covers both professional design errors and construction defects under a unified policy.
Question 6: What does 'best-value' evaluation in design-build procurement typically assess?
- Only the lowest proposed fee
- A combination of technical qualifications, design approach, schedule, and price (Correct answer)
- Only the firm's safety record
- Only the number of similar projects completed
Correct answer: A combination of technical qualifications, design approach, schedule, and price
Best-value selection weighs multiple criteria — technical merit, schedule, qualifications, and price — to identify the proposal offering greatest overall value.
Question 7: In which scenario is a qualifications-based selection (QBS) approach for design-build most appropriate?
- Highly repetitive, commodity-type construction with well-defined scope
- Complex, innovative projects where technical expertise is critical and scope is not fully defined (Correct answer)
- Projects where the lowest bid must be accepted by law
- Emergency projects requiring immediate sole-source award
Correct answer: Complex, innovative projects where technical expertise is critical and scope is not fully defined
QBS is most appropriate for complex projects where qualifications, innovation, and technical capability matter more than minor price differences.
DBIA Design-Build Fundamentals and Principles 4
Which of the following best describes 'integrated project delivery' as it relates to design-build principles?