DBIA Owner Engagement 5

Question 1

What is the significance of the owner defining 'best value' criteria before issuing a design-build RFP?

Accepted Answer

It ensures proposers understand how proposals will be scored and reduces protest risk

Answer

Pre-defined best value criteria create a transparent evaluation framework, align proposals with owner priorities, and reduce the risk of procurement protests.

Question 2

How does an owner's failure to make timely decisions impact a design-build project?

Accepted Answer

It can delay the project schedule and entitle the design-builder to time extensions and additional compensation

Answer

Late owner decisions create schedule delays and, under most DBIA contracts, entitle the design-builder to seek equitable adjustments for time and cost impacts caused by owner-controlled delays.

Question 3

What is the owner's responsibility regarding environmental permits on a typical design-build project?

Accepted Answer

The owner typically obtains major environmental permits before project award, while the design-builder handles construction permits

Answer

Owners typically secure major environmental permits (NEPA, wetlands, etc.) pre-procurement to reduce RFP uncertainty, while design-builders obtain construction-phase permits.

Question 4

Why is it important for an owner to establish a project controls system that interfaces with the design-builder's reporting?

Accepted Answer

To maintain independent visibility into cost and schedule status for informed decision-making throughout the project

Answer

An integrated project controls interface gives the owner objective cost and schedule data, enabling proactive decision-making rather than relying solely on the design-builder's reporting.

Question 5

What is the most appropriate owner action when a design-builder's preliminary design significantly exceeds the project budget?

Accepted Answer

Engage collaboratively with the design-builder to identify scope reductions or value engineering solutions that align with the budget

Answer

DBIA's collaborative model calls for owner and design-builder to jointly solve budget challenges through scope adjustment or value engineering rather than adversarial responses.

DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Certification Practice Test

DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Certification Practice Test

DBIA Owner Engagement 5