DBIA Executing Design-Build Projects 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In design-build contracting, 'owner's criteria' documents are significant because they:
- Represent the complete construction documents the design-builder must follow exactly
- Define the performance outcomes and functional requirements the design-builder's solution must meet (Correct answer)
- Establish the design-builder's fee structure and profit margin
- Specify the exact materials and systems the design-builder must use
Correct answer: Define the performance outcomes and functional requirements the design-builder's solution must meet
Owner's criteria establish what the facility must achieve (performance, function, operational requirements) rather than prescribing exactly how to achieve it, giving the design-builder design flexibility.
Question 2: What is the MOST critical action a design-build team should take when an owner verbally requests a change during a site visit?
- Implement the change immediately to demonstrate responsiveness
- Document the verbal direction in writing and submit a formal change notice to the owner (Correct answer)
- Wait until the owner provides a formal written change order before acknowledging
- Evaluate the change after project completion and address it in the final accounting
Correct answer: Document the verbal direction in writing and submit a formal change notice to the owner
Verbal directions must be immediately documented in writing and submitted as a formal notice to protect both parties and maintain proper change management records.
Question 3: The 'design-build team' typically consists of which core parties working under an integrated arrangement?
- Owner, architect, general contractor, and local authority
- Design-builder entity (prime), design professionals, and construction subcontractors (Correct answer)
- Owner, construction manager, and independent design consultants
- Surety, insurer, lender, and construction contractor
Correct answer: Design-builder entity (prime), design professionals, and construction subcontractors
The design-build team integrates the prime design-builder with design professionals and construction subcontractors under a single contract with the owner.
Question 4: Which scenario BEST illustrates the benefit of co-locating the design and construction teams during design-build execution?
- Reducing office space costs by combining staff in one location
- Enabling rapid resolution of design questions through direct, real-time communication between designers and builders (Correct answer)
- Simplifying payroll administration by using a single HR system
- Satisfying a contractual requirement for physical team proximity
Correct answer: Enabling rapid resolution of design questions through direct, real-time communication between designers and builders
Co-location facilitates immediate coordination between designers and constructors, reducing RFI cycle times and accelerating problem resolution during execution.
Question 5: On a design-build project, the 'technical proposal' submitted during procurement typically includes:
- Only the proposed project cost and schedule
- Conceptual design, technical approach, project schedule, and qualifications of key personnel (Correct answer)
- A complete set of construction documents ready for permit
- Only the design-builder's insurance certificates and bonding capacity
Correct answer: Conceptual design, technical approach, project schedule, and qualifications of key personnel
Technical proposals present the design-builder's conceptual solution, approach, schedule, and team qualifications to enable the owner to evaluate competing proposals.
Question 6: During construction, the design-build team discovers that a detail in the construction documents is unbuildable as drawn. Who is responsible for resolving this issue and bearing the cost?
- The owner, since they approved all design documents
- The design-builder, since they are responsible for both design and constructability under a design-build contract (Correct answer)
- The subcontractor who discovered the issue during their scope of work
- The local building authority that issued the permit
Correct answer: The design-builder, since they are responsible for both design and constructability under a design-build contract
In design-build, the design-builder holds responsibility for the completeness and constructability of design documents, so unbuildable details are their obligation to resolve and fund.
Question 7: Which quality management approach is MOST consistent with DBIA best practices during design-build construction?
- Relying exclusively on the local building inspector to catch quality deficiencies
- Implementing a formal Quality Management Plan with in-process inspections, documentation, and hold points (Correct answer)
- Conducting a single quality review at project completion before owner acceptance
- Delegating all quality responsibilities to individual subcontractors without oversight
Correct answer: Implementing a formal Quality Management Plan with in-process inspections, documentation, and hold points
DBIA best practices call for a proactive Quality Management Plan with defined inspection hold points and documentation throughout construction, not reactive end-of-project reviews.
DBIA Executing Design-Build Projects 5
In design-build contracting, 'owner's criteria' documents are significant because they: