DBIA Owner Engagement 3

Question 1

When should an owner engage its legal counsel during the design-build procurement process?

Accepted Answer

Early in procurement to review contract terms, RFP language, and risk allocation provisions

Answer

Early legal review of RFP documents and contract terms helps owners avoid ambiguous risk allocations that can lead to disputes and claims during project execution.

Question 2

How does owner-imposed prescriptive specifications affect design-build project outcomes?

Accepted Answer

They can undermine design-build benefits by restricting the design-builder's innovation and efficiency

Answer

Excessive prescriptive specifications limit the design-builder's ability to optimize design and construction, reducing the cost and schedule advantages that define design-build delivery.

Question 3

What is the owner's role during the Concept Design phase in a progressive design-build contract?

Accepted Answer

The owner collaborates with the design-builder to develop and validate project concepts before establishing the GMP

Answer

In progressive design-build, the owner and design-builder collaborate iteratively during concept development to align design direction before the GMP is locked.

Question 4

Which metric is most appropriate for an owner to use when evaluating design-build team performance on an ongoing basis?

Accepted Answer

Key performance indicators tied to safety, schedule, quality, and cost defined in the contract

Answer

KPIs aligned to contract requirements give owners objective, measurable data to assess design-builder performance across safety, schedule, quality, and budget dimensions.

Question 5

What is the risk to an owner who makes frequent scope changes after the design-builder has established its Guaranteed Maximum Price?

Accepted Answer

Scope changes after GMP can increase costs, extend schedule, and erode the owner's original budget certainty

Answer

Post-GMP scope changes require contract modifications that add cost and time, undermining the budget and schedule certainty that is a primary benefit of the design-build delivery method.

DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Certification Practice Test

DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Certification Practice Test

DBIA Owner Engagement 3