DBIA Practice Test – 100 Questions with Correct
Answers & Explanations | Design Build Certification Prep |
Graded A+ Study Guide
1. A public owner is comparing design-bid-build (DBB) and design-build (DB) for a new
wastewater treatment facility. The owner's primary concern is minimizing total project duration
and reducing the risk of change orders during construction. Which procurement approach
BEST aligns with these objectives, and why?
A. Design-build, because the design-builder can overlap design and construction activities and assumes the
risk of design errors and omissions, reducing the likelihood of change orders.
B. Design-bid-build, because the owner retains full control over the design and can approve every detail
before construction begins, thus avoiding changes.
C. Design-build, because the owner can select the lowest-price bidder for construction, ensuring the lowest
initial cost and no changes.
D. Design-bid-build, because the design is fully developed before pricing, eliminating any potential for change
orders during construction.
Answer: A. Design-build, because the design-builder can overlap design and construction
activities and assumes the risk of design errors and omissions, reducing the likelihood of
change orders.
2. During a design-build proposal evaluation, a selection committee is using a best-value
selection method. The owner has stated that technical factors are worth 70% and price is 30%.
One proposer has a higher technical score but a much higher price than another. Which award
decision is MOST consistent with the best-value methodology?
A. Award to the proposer with the highest technical score regardless of price, since technical factors are
weighted more heavily.
B. Award to the proposer with the lowest price, since the owner's funding is limited and price is always the
most important factor.
C. Award to the proposer whose combination of technical approach and price offers the greatest overall
benefit to the owner, using a predetermined evaluation formula.
D. Award to the proposer with the highest technical score if the price is within a reasonable range, otherwise
to the lowest price proposer.
Answer: C. Award to the proposer whose combination of technical approach and price offers
the greatest overall benefit to the owner, using a predetermined evaluation formula.
3. A design-build team is developing its proposal for a federal project. The owner has mandated
the use of a 'three-step selection process' under FAR Subpart 36.3. In this process, what is a
KEY distinguishing feature compared to a traditional single-step best-value procurement?
A. Only one firm is allowed to submit a proposal, and the owner negotiates exclusively with that firm.
B. The owner first evaluates technical proposals without prices, then requests price proposals from the
top-rated firms, and finally selects the best value.
C. All proposers must submit sealed bids, and the lowest responsive bidder wins.
D. The owner selects the design-builder based solely on the lowest price after a technical review is done by a
third party.
Answer: B. The owner first evaluates technical proposals without prices, then requests price
proposals from the top-rated firms, and finally selects the best value.
,4. A design-builder is preparing for the DBIA certification exam. Which competency area is
emphasized as a core requirement for becoming a DBIA professional, focusing on the
integration of design and construction management?
A. Traditional project management principles that emphasize strict separation of design and construction
tasks.
B. Advanced knowledge of building codes and structural engineering calculations.
C. A comprehensive understanding of the design-build process, including procurement, contracting, and
project delivery, along with the ability to apply it across phases.
D. Expertise in cost estimating and scheduling only, as design-build success depends solely on project
controls.
Answer: C. A comprehensive understanding of the design-build process, including
procurement, contracting, and project delivery, along with the ability to apply it across phases.
5. On a design-build project, the design-builder is required to self-perform a significant portion
of the work. The owner is concerned about design-builders who inflate their price for the
self-performed portion to increase profit. What contract pricing structure is MOST effective in
mitigating this risk?
A. A fixed lump-sum price, since the design-builder has a single price that includes all work, and any profit is
within that price.
B. A cost-plus-fee contract with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP), where the self-performed work is
auditable and the fee is a fixed percentage.
C. A unit-price contract, where the design-builder is paid per unit of work, and there is no incentive to inflate
self-performed work.
D. A cost-plus-percentage-of-cost contract, where the design-builder's profit increases with costs, aligning
incentives.
Answer: B. A cost-plus-fee contract with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP), where the
self-performed work is auditable and the fee is a fixed percentage.
6. An owner is drafting a design-build RFP and plans to use a two-phase selection process. In
Phase 1, the owner requests qualifications (RFQ) and shortlists three teams. In Phase 2, the
shortlisted teams submit proposals. What is a PRIMARY advantage of this phased approach for
the owner?
A. It allows the owner to select a design-builder based on the lowest fee for design services before the
proposal.
B. It reduces the cost and effort for proposers by allowing only a few teams to develop full proposals.
C. It ensures that all qualified teams have an equal chance of winning the contract.
D. It allows the owner to make a final decision based solely on the technical approach, without considering
price.
Answer: B. It reduces the cost and effort for proposers by allowing only a few teams to develop
full proposals.
7. A design-build entity is composed of a lead design firm and a lead construction firm. They
are developing a joint venture agreement for a large project. What is a KEY risk allocation
consideration in this agreement?
A. The design firm should bear all liability for design errors, while the construction firm bears all liability for
construction defects.
B. The agreement should clearly define each party's role, responsibilities, and financial contributions, and
establish how risks and liabilities are shared and managed.
C. The construction firm should be the sole point of contact with the owner to simplify communication.
, D. The agreement should avoid any allocation of risk, as risk is managed by the owner through insurance.
Answer: B. The agreement should clearly define each party's role, responsibilities, and
financial contributions, and establish how risks and liabilities are shared and managed.
8. A design-builder is negotiating a contract with an owner who wants to include a waiver of
consequential damages that covers both parties. The design-builder is concerned about losing
the ability to recover lost profits if the owner suspends the work without cause. What is the
BEST course of action?
A. Accept the waiver as written, because consequential damages are speculative and difficult to prove.
B. Request a mutual waiver that includes specific exceptions for damages arising from either party's
intentional breach, or gross negligence.
C. Refuse to sign the contract unless the waiver is removed entirely, such that both parties may recover all
damages.
D. Counter with a clause that only the owner waives consequential damages, but the design-builder retains
the right to claim them.
Answer: B. Request a mutual waiver that includes specific exceptions for damages arising from
either party's intentional breach, or gross negligence.
9. During the design phase of a design-build project, the owner requests a change in the
building's foundation system from concrete piles to a mat slab. This change occurs after the
construction documents are issued and the owner has already approved the design-builder's
schedule. What type of change is this, and how should the design-builder handle it?
A. A design development change, which the design-builder can adopt at no cost because they are responsible
for design.
B. A change order, which requires a discussion of cost and schedule impacts; the design-builder should
submit a change order proposal after analyzing the impact.
C. A creative change, which the design-builder can implement freely as part of their value engineering.
D. A constructive change, which requires the design-builder to proceed without documenting the change.
Answer: B. A change order, which requires a discussion of cost and schedule impacts; the
design-builder should submit a change order proposal after analyzing the impact.
10. A design-build team is in the preconstruction phase of a project. Which activity is
performed during this phase that is UNIQUE to the design-build process compared to
traditional design-bid-build?
A. Finalizing the construction schedule with the owner before design completion.
B. Preparing a detailed bill of materials for the entire project.
C. Conducting value engineering and constructability reviews integrated with design development.
D. Obtaining all necessary permits and approvals from regulatory agencies.
Answer: C. Conducting value engineering and constructability reviews integrated with design
development.
11. A design-build contractor is assessing the completeness of a design for a project. They
notice that the design does not clearly indicate the structural loads for a cantilevered canopy.
Which design element is MOST likely missing?
A. Construction sequencing details
B. Structural support specifications
C. Life safety and fire protection systems
D. Sustainability goals and LEED certification
Answers & Explanations | Design Build Certification Prep |
Graded A+ Study Guide
1. A public owner is comparing design-bid-build (DBB) and design-build (DB) for a new
wastewater treatment facility. The owner's primary concern is minimizing total project duration
and reducing the risk of change orders during construction. Which procurement approach
BEST aligns with these objectives, and why?
A. Design-build, because the design-builder can overlap design and construction activities and assumes the
risk of design errors and omissions, reducing the likelihood of change orders.
B. Design-bid-build, because the owner retains full control over the design and can approve every detail
before construction begins, thus avoiding changes.
C. Design-build, because the owner can select the lowest-price bidder for construction, ensuring the lowest
initial cost and no changes.
D. Design-bid-build, because the design is fully developed before pricing, eliminating any potential for change
orders during construction.
Answer: A. Design-build, because the design-builder can overlap design and construction
activities and assumes the risk of design errors and omissions, reducing the likelihood of
change orders.
2. During a design-build proposal evaluation, a selection committee is using a best-value
selection method. The owner has stated that technical factors are worth 70% and price is 30%.
One proposer has a higher technical score but a much higher price than another. Which award
decision is MOST consistent with the best-value methodology?
A. Award to the proposer with the highest technical score regardless of price, since technical factors are
weighted more heavily.
B. Award to the proposer with the lowest price, since the owner's funding is limited and price is always the
most important factor.
C. Award to the proposer whose combination of technical approach and price offers the greatest overall
benefit to the owner, using a predetermined evaluation formula.
D. Award to the proposer with the highest technical score if the price is within a reasonable range, otherwise
to the lowest price proposer.
Answer: C. Award to the proposer whose combination of technical approach and price offers
the greatest overall benefit to the owner, using a predetermined evaluation formula.
3. A design-build team is developing its proposal for a federal project. The owner has mandated
the use of a 'three-step selection process' under FAR Subpart 36.3. In this process, what is a
KEY distinguishing feature compared to a traditional single-step best-value procurement?
A. Only one firm is allowed to submit a proposal, and the owner negotiates exclusively with that firm.
B. The owner first evaluates technical proposals without prices, then requests price proposals from the
top-rated firms, and finally selects the best value.
C. All proposers must submit sealed bids, and the lowest responsive bidder wins.
D. The owner selects the design-builder based solely on the lowest price after a technical review is done by a
third party.
Answer: B. The owner first evaluates technical proposals without prices, then requests price
proposals from the top-rated firms, and finally selects the best value.
,4. A design-builder is preparing for the DBIA certification exam. Which competency area is
emphasized as a core requirement for becoming a DBIA professional, focusing on the
integration of design and construction management?
A. Traditional project management principles that emphasize strict separation of design and construction
tasks.
B. Advanced knowledge of building codes and structural engineering calculations.
C. A comprehensive understanding of the design-build process, including procurement, contracting, and
project delivery, along with the ability to apply it across phases.
D. Expertise in cost estimating and scheduling only, as design-build success depends solely on project
controls.
Answer: C. A comprehensive understanding of the design-build process, including
procurement, contracting, and project delivery, along with the ability to apply it across phases.
5. On a design-build project, the design-builder is required to self-perform a significant portion
of the work. The owner is concerned about design-builders who inflate their price for the
self-performed portion to increase profit. What contract pricing structure is MOST effective in
mitigating this risk?
A. A fixed lump-sum price, since the design-builder has a single price that includes all work, and any profit is
within that price.
B. A cost-plus-fee contract with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP), where the self-performed work is
auditable and the fee is a fixed percentage.
C. A unit-price contract, where the design-builder is paid per unit of work, and there is no incentive to inflate
self-performed work.
D. A cost-plus-percentage-of-cost contract, where the design-builder's profit increases with costs, aligning
incentives.
Answer: B. A cost-plus-fee contract with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP), where the
self-performed work is auditable and the fee is a fixed percentage.
6. An owner is drafting a design-build RFP and plans to use a two-phase selection process. In
Phase 1, the owner requests qualifications (RFQ) and shortlists three teams. In Phase 2, the
shortlisted teams submit proposals. What is a PRIMARY advantage of this phased approach for
the owner?
A. It allows the owner to select a design-builder based on the lowest fee for design services before the
proposal.
B. It reduces the cost and effort for proposers by allowing only a few teams to develop full proposals.
C. It ensures that all qualified teams have an equal chance of winning the contract.
D. It allows the owner to make a final decision based solely on the technical approach, without considering
price.
Answer: B. It reduces the cost and effort for proposers by allowing only a few teams to develop
full proposals.
7. A design-build entity is composed of a lead design firm and a lead construction firm. They
are developing a joint venture agreement for a large project. What is a KEY risk allocation
consideration in this agreement?
A. The design firm should bear all liability for design errors, while the construction firm bears all liability for
construction defects.
B. The agreement should clearly define each party's role, responsibilities, and financial contributions, and
establish how risks and liabilities are shared and managed.
C. The construction firm should be the sole point of contact with the owner to simplify communication.
, D. The agreement should avoid any allocation of risk, as risk is managed by the owner through insurance.
Answer: B. The agreement should clearly define each party's role, responsibilities, and
financial contributions, and establish how risks and liabilities are shared and managed.
8. A design-builder is negotiating a contract with an owner who wants to include a waiver of
consequential damages that covers both parties. The design-builder is concerned about losing
the ability to recover lost profits if the owner suspends the work without cause. What is the
BEST course of action?
A. Accept the waiver as written, because consequential damages are speculative and difficult to prove.
B. Request a mutual waiver that includes specific exceptions for damages arising from either party's
intentional breach, or gross negligence.
C. Refuse to sign the contract unless the waiver is removed entirely, such that both parties may recover all
damages.
D. Counter with a clause that only the owner waives consequential damages, but the design-builder retains
the right to claim them.
Answer: B. Request a mutual waiver that includes specific exceptions for damages arising from
either party's intentional breach, or gross negligence.
9. During the design phase of a design-build project, the owner requests a change in the
building's foundation system from concrete piles to a mat slab. This change occurs after the
construction documents are issued and the owner has already approved the design-builder's
schedule. What type of change is this, and how should the design-builder handle it?
A. A design development change, which the design-builder can adopt at no cost because they are responsible
for design.
B. A change order, which requires a discussion of cost and schedule impacts; the design-builder should
submit a change order proposal after analyzing the impact.
C. A creative change, which the design-builder can implement freely as part of their value engineering.
D. A constructive change, which requires the design-builder to proceed without documenting the change.
Answer: B. A change order, which requires a discussion of cost and schedule impacts; the
design-builder should submit a change order proposal after analyzing the impact.
10. A design-build team is in the preconstruction phase of a project. Which activity is
performed during this phase that is UNIQUE to the design-build process compared to
traditional design-bid-build?
A. Finalizing the construction schedule with the owner before design completion.
B. Preparing a detailed bill of materials for the entire project.
C. Conducting value engineering and constructability reviews integrated with design development.
D. Obtaining all necessary permits and approvals from regulatory agencies.
Answer: C. Conducting value engineering and constructability reviews integrated with design
development.
11. A design-build contractor is assessing the completeness of a design for a project. They
notice that the design does not clearly indicate the structural loads for a cantilevered canopy.
Which design element is MOST likely missing?
A. Construction sequencing details
B. Structural support specifications
C. Life safety and fire protection systems
D. Sustainability goals and LEED certification
