DBIA® CERTIFIED DESIGN-BUILD PROFESSIONAL EXAM PREP QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND DETAILED EXPLANATIONS

DBIA® CERTIFIED DESIGN-BUILD PROFESSIONAL EXAM PREP QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND DETAILED EXPLANATIONS 1. Which of the following best defines a “best value” selection in Design-Build procurement? A) Awarding to the lowest priced proposal regardless of qualifications B) Awarding based solely on past performance C) Awarding based on a balanced evaluation of price and qualitative factors (e.g., technical approach, key personnel, schedule) [] D) Selecting the contractor with the largest bonding capacity Explanation: Best value procurement combines cost and technical criteria to determine the most advantageous offer. DBIA emphasizes best value to optimize project outcomes, not just lowest first cost. Qualitative factors typically include design excellence, management plan, past performance, and schedule. ________________________________________ 2. Under a Design-Build contract, who typically bears the risk of differing site conditions that are not reasonably foreseeable? A) Owner B) Design-Builder C) Owner [] D) Subcontractor Explanation: Unlike traditional design-bid-build where contractor bears differing site conditions risk only if contract says so, DB contracts often place foreseeable geotechnical risks on DB but unforeseeable conditions risk usually remains with the owner because the DB cannot fully investigate before pricing. DBIA best practices recommend a “changed conditions” clause. ________________________________________ **3. The DBIA’s “Design-Build Done Right®” emphasizes that the owner’s request for proposals (RFP) should be based on: A) Complete 100% construction documents B) Performance criteria and conceptual design only [] C) Lowest price guarantee D) Turnkey financing Explanation: DBIA’s foundational principle is that the owner provides performance criteria (what is needed) not detailed specifications (how to build). This allows the DB team to innovate and optimize design and construction. ________________________________________ 4. Which procurement method features single-point responsibility for both design and construction but allows design to progress in phases as construction begins? A) Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) B) Design-Bid-Build C) Design-Build [] D) Multiple Prime Contracts Explanation: Design-Build’s hallmark is single entity responsibility and fast-tracking (overlapping design and construction). CMAR has early CM involvement but design is still separate; DBB is linear. Multiple primes fragment responsibility. ________________________________________ **5. When the owner provides only a conceptual design (10–15% complete) and asks for a fixed price with performance specs, the most appropriate delivery method is: A) Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) B) Design-Build [] C) Job Order Contracting (JOC) D) Construction Management Multi-Prime Explanation: DB is ideal when owner has high-level requirements but wants a single contract for design and construction with price certainty early. IPD requires multi-party risk/reward sharing; JOC is for small repetitive work. ________________________________________ **6. In a DB contract, if the Design-Builder fails to achieve the specified performance criteria (e.g., energy efficiency standard), the likely remedy is: A) Owner must accept non-performance B) Corrective work at DB’s expense, potential liquidated damages, or replacement [] C) Share of savings D) Renegotiate criteria Explanation: Design-Build contracts require the DB to meet all performance criteria. Failure constitutes breach; typical remedies include repair/replacement, liquidated damages, or termination for cause. Owner does not accept substandard performance. ________________________________________ 7. Which risk allocation principle does DBIA recommend for control and influence? A) The party best able to bear the risk should bear it B) The party best able to control or influence the risk outcome should bear it [] C) The owner bears all risks D) The Design-Builder bears all risks Explanation: DBIA’s risk allocation guidelines state risk should be assigned to the party most capable of controlling the risk event. For example, DB controls means/methods risk; owner controls scope change risk. Not just ability to pay (bear) but ability to influence. ________________________________________ **8. A “progressive Design-Build” differs from “fixed-price Design-Build” primarily because: A) Price is fully determined before any design B) Design-Builder is selected early based on qualifications, then price is negotiated after design development [] C) It requires three separate contracts D) Owner acts as designer