DBIA ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026-2027
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
SECTION 1: DESIGN-BUILD FUNDAMENTALS & DEFINITIONS (Q1-Q30)
1. Which of the following best defines the design-build project delivery method?
A. A method where the owner contracts separately with a designer and a contractor who
are legally required to work together.
B. A method where a single entity holds a single contract with the owner for both design
and construction services.
C. A method where the contractor manages multiple prime design consultants under
separate contracts.
D. A method where the owner acts as the prime designer and contracts out individual
construction trades.
Answer: B
Rationale: The fundamental definition of design-build is the integration of design and
construction services under a single contract with a single point of responsibility. This
distinguishes it from Design-Bid-Build (separate contracts) or Construction Manager at
Risk (CMAR).
2. The primary advantage of design-build over traditional design-bid-build is:
A. Lower initial design costs.
B. Elimination of all project risks.
C. Single-source responsibility and accelerated project delivery.
D. The owner maintains complete control over every design decision.
,Answer: C
Rationale: The primary advantages of design-build are single-source responsibility (the
owner has one entity to hold accountable) and accelerated project delivery (overlapping
design and construction phases). It does not eliminate all risks but shifts them.
3. In a design-build project, who is typically responsible for the quality of the
design?
A. The owner's engineer.
B. The design-build entity.
C. The construction subcontractors.
D. The local building inspector.
Answer: B
Rationale: The design-build entity holds the single contract and is fully responsible for
the completeness, accuracy, and quality of both the design and construction. This is the
essence of single-point accountability.
4. Which of the following describes the "progressive design-build" model?
A. The design-builder is selected based on qualifications before the design is fully
developed, and the price is negotiated later.
B. The design is fully completed before the contractor is selected.
C. The owner completes the design in-house and then bids it out.
D. The design-builder is selected based on the lowest bid for a fully completed design.
Answer: A
Rationale: Progressive design-build is a two-phase model. The design-builder is
selected early (usually based on qualifications) to partner with the owner to develop the
scope and budget collaboratively, with the price negotiated after the design is
sufficiently defined.
5. A Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) certification demonstrates:
A. The individual has completed a specific construction project.
B. The individual has demonstrated knowledge of design-build best practices.
,C. The individual is a licensed professional engineer in all 50 states.
D. The individual owns a design-build construction company.
Answer: B
Rationale: DBIA certification (Associate DBIA, DBIA Professional) indicates that an
individual has passed an exam and demonstrated a thorough understanding of the
principles, processes, and best practices of design-build project delivery.
6. In design-build, the "entity" that holds the prime contract is commonly referred
to as the:
A. Prime Consultant.
B. Design-Builder.
C. General Contractor.
D. Program Manager.
Answer: B
Rationale: The single entity holding the contract with the owner is called the Design-
Builder. This entity can be a contractor-led firm, a designer-led firm, or a joint venture
between the two.
7. Which statement about the DBIA's "Design-Build Done Right" philosophy is
accurate?
A. It mandates that the design-builder is always a general contractor.
B. It emphasizes a collaborative, integrated approach among all project stakeholders.
C. It requires the owner to hire a third-party design reviewer.
D. It applies only to federal government projects.
Answer: B
Rationale: "Design-Build Done Right" is DBIA's core philosophy promoting integration,
collaboration, and mutual respect among the owner, design-builder, and other
stakeholders to achieve optimal project outcomes.
, 8. What is a key characteristic of the "best value" selection method in design-
build?
A. The contract is awarded solely based on the lowest bid price.
B. The contract is awarded based solely on the highest qualifications.
C. The contract is awarded based on a weighted combination of price and technical
qualifications.
D. The contract is awarded to the first firm that submits a proposal.
Answer: C
Rationale: Best value selection evaluates both qualifications/technical approach and
price. The owner weights these factors (e.g., 70% technical, 30% price) to select the
proposal offering the best overall value.
9. Which of the following is typically NOT a characteristic of design-build?
A. Overlapping design and construction phases.
B. Single point of responsibility.
C. Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) is always required.
D. Collaborative problem-solving.
Answer: C
Rationale: While a GMP is commonly used in many design-build contracts, it is not a
strict requirement. Other pricing models (lump sum, cost-plus with a target price) are
also used.
10. In design-build, the owner's RFP (Request for Proposals) is usually based on:
A. 100% complete construction documents.
B. Performance criteria and conceptual design.
C. A complete set of structural calculations.
D. The owner's internal cost estimate.
Answer: B
Rationale: In design-build, the owner typically provides performance-based criteria
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026-2027
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
SECTION 1: DESIGN-BUILD FUNDAMENTALS & DEFINITIONS (Q1-Q30)
1. Which of the following best defines the design-build project delivery method?
A. A method where the owner contracts separately with a designer and a contractor who
are legally required to work together.
B. A method where a single entity holds a single contract with the owner for both design
and construction services.
C. A method where the contractor manages multiple prime design consultants under
separate contracts.
D. A method where the owner acts as the prime designer and contracts out individual
construction trades.
Answer: B
Rationale: The fundamental definition of design-build is the integration of design and
construction services under a single contract with a single point of responsibility. This
distinguishes it from Design-Bid-Build (separate contracts) or Construction Manager at
Risk (CMAR).
2. The primary advantage of design-build over traditional design-bid-build is:
A. Lower initial design costs.
B. Elimination of all project risks.
C. Single-source responsibility and accelerated project delivery.
D. The owner maintains complete control over every design decision.
,Answer: C
Rationale: The primary advantages of design-build are single-source responsibility (the
owner has one entity to hold accountable) and accelerated project delivery (overlapping
design and construction phases). It does not eliminate all risks but shifts them.
3. In a design-build project, who is typically responsible for the quality of the
design?
A. The owner's engineer.
B. The design-build entity.
C. The construction subcontractors.
D. The local building inspector.
Answer: B
Rationale: The design-build entity holds the single contract and is fully responsible for
the completeness, accuracy, and quality of both the design and construction. This is the
essence of single-point accountability.
4. Which of the following describes the "progressive design-build" model?
A. The design-builder is selected based on qualifications before the design is fully
developed, and the price is negotiated later.
B. The design is fully completed before the contractor is selected.
C. The owner completes the design in-house and then bids it out.
D. The design-builder is selected based on the lowest bid for a fully completed design.
Answer: A
Rationale: Progressive design-build is a two-phase model. The design-builder is
selected early (usually based on qualifications) to partner with the owner to develop the
scope and budget collaboratively, with the price negotiated after the design is
sufficiently defined.
5. A Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) certification demonstrates:
A. The individual has completed a specific construction project.
B. The individual has demonstrated knowledge of design-build best practices.
,C. The individual is a licensed professional engineer in all 50 states.
D. The individual owns a design-build construction company.
Answer: B
Rationale: DBIA certification (Associate DBIA, DBIA Professional) indicates that an
individual has passed an exam and demonstrated a thorough understanding of the
principles, processes, and best practices of design-build project delivery.
6. In design-build, the "entity" that holds the prime contract is commonly referred
to as the:
A. Prime Consultant.
B. Design-Builder.
C. General Contractor.
D. Program Manager.
Answer: B
Rationale: The single entity holding the contract with the owner is called the Design-
Builder. This entity can be a contractor-led firm, a designer-led firm, or a joint venture
between the two.
7. Which statement about the DBIA's "Design-Build Done Right" philosophy is
accurate?
A. It mandates that the design-builder is always a general contractor.
B. It emphasizes a collaborative, integrated approach among all project stakeholders.
C. It requires the owner to hire a third-party design reviewer.
D. It applies only to federal government projects.
Answer: B
Rationale: "Design-Build Done Right" is DBIA's core philosophy promoting integration,
collaboration, and mutual respect among the owner, design-builder, and other
stakeholders to achieve optimal project outcomes.
, 8. What is a key characteristic of the "best value" selection method in design-
build?
A. The contract is awarded solely based on the lowest bid price.
B. The contract is awarded based solely on the highest qualifications.
C. The contract is awarded based on a weighted combination of price and technical
qualifications.
D. The contract is awarded to the first firm that submits a proposal.
Answer: C
Rationale: Best value selection evaluates both qualifications/technical approach and
price. The owner weights these factors (e.g., 70% technical, 30% price) to select the
proposal offering the best overall value.
9. Which of the following is typically NOT a characteristic of design-build?
A. Overlapping design and construction phases.
B. Single point of responsibility.
C. Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) is always required.
D. Collaborative problem-solving.
Answer: C
Rationale: While a GMP is commonly used in many design-build contracts, it is not a
strict requirement. Other pricing models (lump sum, cost-plus with a target price) are
also used.
10. In design-build, the owner's RFP (Request for Proposals) is usually based on:
A. 100% complete construction documents.
B. Performance criteria and conceptual design.
C. A complete set of structural calculations.
D. The owner's internal cost estimate.
Answer: B
Rationale: In design-build, the owner typically provides performance-based criteria
