DBIA Exam Questions and Verified Answers
and Rationale | Design-Build Institute of
America (Dbia) Certification Exam Prep
Question 1
Single point of responsibility for both design & construction is an attribute of what
delivery method?
Correct Answer
Design Build
Question 2
Project Delivery - Many contracts through Owner
Correct Answer
Multi Prime
Question 3
Owner is responsible for implied warranties in the sufficiency of the specifications.
Correct Answer
Spearin Doctrine
Page 1 of 179
,Question 4
Owner defines performance data but DB Entity provides design solution
Correct Answer
Design criteria DB
Question 1: In the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Best Practices, what is the
primary advantage of the design-build project delivery method compared to
traditional design-bid-build?
A. It requires sequential design completion before construction bidding begins
B. It separates design and construction responsibilities to minimize owner risk
C. It integrates design and construction under a single entity for faster delivery and
single-point accountability
D. It mandates competitive bidding on fully completed construction documents
CORRECT ANSWER: C. It integrates design and construction under a single entity for
faster delivery and single-point accountability
Rationale: Design-build consolidates design and construction under one contract
and team, enabling concurrent design and construction activities, reducing overall
project duration, and providing the owner with a single point of responsibility for
both design and construction performance.
Question 2: According to DBIA principles, which party typically holds the primary
contractual relationship with the owner in a design-build project?
A. The architect of record acting independently
B. The design-builder (or design-build entity)
C. The construction manager as agent
D. The consulting engineer under a separate agreement
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The design-builder (or design-build entity)
Rationale: In design-build, the owner contracts with a single design-build entity that
is responsible for both design and construction services, eliminating the divided
responsibilities inherent in design-bid-build.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the concept of “progressive design-
build” as recognized by DBIA?
A. A method where the owner completes 100 percent design before selecting the
builder
Page 2 of 179
,B. A collaborative process in which the design-builder is selected early and design
develops progressively with owner input and cost validation
C. A fixed-price approach requiring complete construction documents at contract
award
D. A delivery method limited exclusively to public-sector transportation projects
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A collaborative process in which the design-builder is selected
early and design develops progressively with owner input and cost validation
Rationale: Progressive design-build allows selection of the design-builder based
primarily on qualifications, followed by progressive development of design and
price through open-book collaboration, providing flexibility and risk management
advantages.
Question 4: Under DBIA recommended practices, what is the preferred basis for
selecting a design-builder in a qualifications-based selection process?
A. Lowest construction cost bid after complete design
B. Highest technical score combined with price in a two-step process
C. Demonstrated experience, technical competence, and past performance of the
proposed team
D. Geographic proximity of the design-builder’s home office to the project site
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Demonstrated experience, technical competence, and past
performance of the proposed team
Rationale: DBIA advocates qualifications-based selection (or best-value selection
that heavily weights qualifications) to ensure the owner obtains a capable,
collaborative team rather than selecting solely on price.
Question 5: In design-build contracting, which risk is most effectively transferred to
the design-builder compared to design-bid-build?
A. Owner-furnished material delays
B. Design errors and omissions that affect constructability
C. Changes in owner program requirements after substantial completion
D. Force majeure events beyond anyone’s control
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Design errors and omissions that affect constructability
Rationale: Because the design-builder is responsible for both design and
Page 3 of 179
, construction, the risk of design deficiencies that impact cost or schedule is
internalized within the design-build team rather than remaining with the owner.
Question 6: According to DBIA Best Practices, what document typically defines the
owner’s project requirements at the time of design-builder selection in a progressive
design-build procurement?
A. 100 percent complete construction documents
B. Bridging documents prepared by an independent designer
C. A performance-based Request for Proposal (RFP) or Owner’s Project
Requirements document
D. A detailed bill of quantities with unit prices
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A performance-based Request for Proposal (RFP) or Owner’s
Project Requirements document
Rationale: Progressive design-build relies on performance criteria and owner
requirements rather than prescriptive complete design documents, allowing the
design-builder to innovate while meeting the owner’s functional needs.
Question 7: Which of the following is a core principle of DBIA’s Code of Ethics for
design-build professionals?
A. Prioritizing lowest initial cost above all other project objectives
B. Maintaining transparency, integrity, and collaboration among all project
participants
C. Avoiding any form of risk sharing with the owner
D. Restricting communication between design and construction personnel
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Maintaining transparency, integrity, and collaboration among
all project participants
Rationale: DBIA emphasizes ethical conduct centered on honesty, fairness, and
collaborative problem-solving to foster trust and successful project outcomes.
Question 8: In a design-build Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract, what
typically occurs after the design reaches a defined level of completion?
A. The design-builder submits a fixed-price proposal that becomes the contract sum
B. The owner assumes all remaining design risk and the design-builder converts to a
cost-plus arrangement
C. The design-builder is released from further performance obligations
Page 4 of 179
and Rationale | Design-Build Institute of
America (Dbia) Certification Exam Prep
Question 1
Single point of responsibility for both design & construction is an attribute of what
delivery method?
Correct Answer
Design Build
Question 2
Project Delivery - Many contracts through Owner
Correct Answer
Multi Prime
Question 3
Owner is responsible for implied warranties in the sufficiency of the specifications.
Correct Answer
Spearin Doctrine
Page 1 of 179
,Question 4
Owner defines performance data but DB Entity provides design solution
Correct Answer
Design criteria DB
Question 1: In the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Best Practices, what is the
primary advantage of the design-build project delivery method compared to
traditional design-bid-build?
A. It requires sequential design completion before construction bidding begins
B. It separates design and construction responsibilities to minimize owner risk
C. It integrates design and construction under a single entity for faster delivery and
single-point accountability
D. It mandates competitive bidding on fully completed construction documents
CORRECT ANSWER: C. It integrates design and construction under a single entity for
faster delivery and single-point accountability
Rationale: Design-build consolidates design and construction under one contract
and team, enabling concurrent design and construction activities, reducing overall
project duration, and providing the owner with a single point of responsibility for
both design and construction performance.
Question 2: According to DBIA principles, which party typically holds the primary
contractual relationship with the owner in a design-build project?
A. The architect of record acting independently
B. The design-builder (or design-build entity)
C. The construction manager as agent
D. The consulting engineer under a separate agreement
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The design-builder (or design-build entity)
Rationale: In design-build, the owner contracts with a single design-build entity that
is responsible for both design and construction services, eliminating the divided
responsibilities inherent in design-bid-build.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the concept of “progressive design-
build” as recognized by DBIA?
A. A method where the owner completes 100 percent design before selecting the
builder
Page 2 of 179
,B. A collaborative process in which the design-builder is selected early and design
develops progressively with owner input and cost validation
C. A fixed-price approach requiring complete construction documents at contract
award
D. A delivery method limited exclusively to public-sector transportation projects
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A collaborative process in which the design-builder is selected
early and design develops progressively with owner input and cost validation
Rationale: Progressive design-build allows selection of the design-builder based
primarily on qualifications, followed by progressive development of design and
price through open-book collaboration, providing flexibility and risk management
advantages.
Question 4: Under DBIA recommended practices, what is the preferred basis for
selecting a design-builder in a qualifications-based selection process?
A. Lowest construction cost bid after complete design
B. Highest technical score combined with price in a two-step process
C. Demonstrated experience, technical competence, and past performance of the
proposed team
D. Geographic proximity of the design-builder’s home office to the project site
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Demonstrated experience, technical competence, and past
performance of the proposed team
Rationale: DBIA advocates qualifications-based selection (or best-value selection
that heavily weights qualifications) to ensure the owner obtains a capable,
collaborative team rather than selecting solely on price.
Question 5: In design-build contracting, which risk is most effectively transferred to
the design-builder compared to design-bid-build?
A. Owner-furnished material delays
B. Design errors and omissions that affect constructability
C. Changes in owner program requirements after substantial completion
D. Force majeure events beyond anyone’s control
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Design errors and omissions that affect constructability
Rationale: Because the design-builder is responsible for both design and
Page 3 of 179
, construction, the risk of design deficiencies that impact cost or schedule is
internalized within the design-build team rather than remaining with the owner.
Question 6: According to DBIA Best Practices, what document typically defines the
owner’s project requirements at the time of design-builder selection in a progressive
design-build procurement?
A. 100 percent complete construction documents
B. Bridging documents prepared by an independent designer
C. A performance-based Request for Proposal (RFP) or Owner’s Project
Requirements document
D. A detailed bill of quantities with unit prices
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A performance-based Request for Proposal (RFP) or Owner’s
Project Requirements document
Rationale: Progressive design-build relies on performance criteria and owner
requirements rather than prescriptive complete design documents, allowing the
design-builder to innovate while meeting the owner’s functional needs.
Question 7: Which of the following is a core principle of DBIA’s Code of Ethics for
design-build professionals?
A. Prioritizing lowest initial cost above all other project objectives
B. Maintaining transparency, integrity, and collaboration among all project
participants
C. Avoiding any form of risk sharing with the owner
D. Restricting communication between design and construction personnel
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Maintaining transparency, integrity, and collaboration among
all project participants
Rationale: DBIA emphasizes ethical conduct centered on honesty, fairness, and
collaborative problem-solving to foster trust and successful project outcomes.
Question 8: In a design-build Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract, what
typically occurs after the design reaches a defined level of completion?
A. The design-builder submits a fixed-price proposal that becomes the contract sum
B. The owner assumes all remaining design risk and the design-builder converts to a
cost-plus arrangement
C. The design-builder is released from further performance obligations
Page 4 of 179
