Fall Semester 2026–2027 DBIA® Certified Design-Build Professional
Updated 2026 | 190+ Questions and Answers | Design-Build Institute of
America (DBIA) Certification Study Guide, Practice Exam, Comprehensive
Review, Exam Prep Test Bank, Design-Build Project Delivery, Integrated
Project Management, Procurement Strategies, Contract Administration,
Risk Management, Team Collaboration, Best Practices, Ethics, Detailed
Rationales and Complete Revision Material
Question 1: According to DBIA's "Design-Build Done Right" principles, what is the
primary purpose of providing an honorarium or stipend to unsuccessful shortlisted
proposers?
A. To incentivize the winning team to complete the project under budget.
B. To compensate the owner for the cost of reviewing proposals.
C. To acknowledge the significant effort and intellectual property contributed during the
proposal phase and encourage robust competition.
D. To meet the minimum legal requirements for public procurement.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To acknowledge the significant effort and intellectual
property contributed during the proposal phase and encourage robust competition.
Rationale: Providing an honorarium is a best practice that recognizes the substantial
investment made by proposers and ensures the owner has the right to use the ideas
presented, thereby fostering fair and competitive participation .
Question 2: In a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) project, when is the Guaranteed
Maximum Price (GMP) typically established?
A. At the time of the initial team selection, based on a 100% complete design.
B. Prior to the release of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
C. After the design has been progressed and the scope is better defined, often through a
phased or bridging process.
D. It is established by the owner’s independent cost estimator before the Design-Builder
is selected.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. After the design has been progressed and the scope is
better defined, often through a phased or bridging process.
Rationale: In Progressive Design-Build, the Design-Builder is selected based on
qualifications. The GMP is developed collaboratively as the design matures, allowing for
better cost certainty based on a more defined scope .
Question 3: Under the DBIA standard forms, what is the primary function of the
"Project Criteria Document"?
A. To outline the subcontractors' specific scopes of work.
B. To serve as the contract for construction administration services.
C. To define the owner's scope, goals, performance requirements, and baseline criteria
,for the project.
D. To list the final material selections and shop drawing approvals.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To define the owner's scope, goals, performance
requirements, and baseline criteria for the project.
Rationale: The Project Criteria is the owner's statement of requirements. It sets the
performance parameters and defines what the Design-Builder is obligated to deliver,
providing the foundation for the project .
Question 4: Which of the following is a key characteristic of a "Best Value"
procurement approach in Design-Build?
A. The award is made solely to the proposer with the lowest price.
B. The selection decision is based on a weighted evaluation of both technical factors
and price.
C. All technical proposals are opened and evaluated before any price is considered.
D. The selection is made through a random lottery among qualified firms.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The selection decision is based on a weighted evaluation of
both technical factors and price.
Rationale: Best Value procurement seeks to select the team offering the best overall
combination of qualifications, technical approach, and price. This is in contrast to "low-
bid" selection, which focuses on cost alone .
Question 5: In the context of the DBIA, what is the primary role of a "Teaming
Agreement"?
A. It is the formal contract between the owner and the Design-Builder.
B. It outlines the relationship, roles, and responsibilities between the contractor and
designer within the Design-Build team.
C. It is a bonding document guaranteeing the project's performance.
D. It serves as the final contract with major trade subcontractors.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. It outlines the relationship, roles, and responsibilities
between the contractor and designer within the Design-Build team.
Rationale: The Teaming Agreement is the foundational pre-award and post-award
agreement between the lead contractor and the lead designer (and other key team
members). It establishes how they will collaborate, share risk, and manage intellectual
property .
Question 6: According to DBIA best practices, why is it important to execute a
Teaming Agreement before significant proposal work begins?
A. To prevent disputes related to costs, intellectual property, and roles during the high-
pressure pursuit phase.
B. To fulfill a requirement of the Miller Act.
,C. To finalize the exact construction schedule.
D. To allow the owner to review the team's internal structure.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. To prevent disputes related to costs, intellectual property,
and roles during the high-pressure pursuit phase.
Rationale: Establishing the rules of engagement, cost-sharing, and IP ownership early
is crucial. It prevents misunderstandings and conflicts that could undermine the team's
collaboration when developing a proposal .
Question 7: Which type of insurance policy is specifically designed to cover the
Design-Builder for errors and omissions (E&O) arising from design professional
services?
A. Commercial General Liability (CGL)
B. Builder's Risk Insurance
C. Workers' Compensation Insurance
D. Professional Liability Insurance
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Professional Liability Insurance
Rationale: CGL policies generally exclude professional services. Professional Liability
(also known as Errors and Omissions) is the necessary coverage to protect the Design-
Builder and its design team from claims related to negligent design, design defects, and
related professional services .
Question 8: During the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase, what is the purpose of
"Proprietary" or "One-on-One" meetings?
A. To allow the owner to secretly negotiate the final price with each proposer.
B. To provide a forum for proposers to present and vet Alternative Technical Concepts
(ATCs) with the owner.
C. To give the owner's selection committee exclusive access to a proposer's
confidential financial information.
D. To announce the final selection of the Design-Builder in a private setting.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To provide a forum for proposers to present and vet
Alternative Technical Concepts (ATCs) with the owner.
Rationale: Proprietary meetings allow a proposer to discuss confidential innovations or
alternative approaches (ATCs) with the owner to gauge their acceptability without
sharing those competitive ideas with other proposers .
Question 9: What is the typical "shortlist" in the context of the Two-Phase Selection
process?
A. A final contract document outlining the scope of work.
B. A list of items that are excluded from the project scope.
C. A group of the most highly qualified firms selected from the RFQ phase to be invited
, to submit proposals in the RFP phase.
D. A list of materials approved by the owner for use on the project.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A group of the most highly qualified firms selected from the
RFQ phase to be invited to submit proposals in the RFP phase.
Rationale: The Two-Phase process is designed to reduce the cost and effort of
preparing detailed proposals. The first phase (RFQ) selects a shortlist of the most
qualified teams, who are then invited to prepare full proposals in the second phase
(RFP) .
Question 10: Which entity typically applies for and obtains the building permit in a
Design-Build project?
A. The Owner.
B. The Design-Builder.
C. The Architect of Record.
D. The local building department.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The Design-Builder.
Rationale: As the single point of responsibility for both design and construction, the
Design-Builder is responsible for managing all regulatory approvals, including applying
for and obtaining the building permit .
Question 11: The "Spearin Doctrine" generally holds that an owner warrants the
sufficiency of the plans and specifications. How does this doctrine typically apply
to Design-Build?
A. It applies in full, as the owner is always the one providing the plans.
B. It is significantly limited or does not apply, because the Design-Builder is responsible
for creating the plans it is following.
C. It is reinforced by DBIA contract documents to give the Design-Builder more
protection.
D. It makes the design professional liable to the owner for all construction defects.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. It is significantly limited or does not apply, because the
Design-Builder is responsible for creating the plans it is following.
Rationale: The Spearin Doctrine is a key concept in Design-Bid-Build where the owner
provides the design. In Design-Build, since the Design-Builder develops the design, the
implicit warranty from the owner does not apply to the design created by the builder's
own team .
Question 12: Which of the following is NOT a core value of the DBIA?
A. Integrity
B. Collaboration
C. Lowest-Price Wins
D. Professionalism
Updated 2026 | 190+ Questions and Answers | Design-Build Institute of
America (DBIA) Certification Study Guide, Practice Exam, Comprehensive
Review, Exam Prep Test Bank, Design-Build Project Delivery, Integrated
Project Management, Procurement Strategies, Contract Administration,
Risk Management, Team Collaboration, Best Practices, Ethics, Detailed
Rationales and Complete Revision Material
Question 1: According to DBIA's "Design-Build Done Right" principles, what is the
primary purpose of providing an honorarium or stipend to unsuccessful shortlisted
proposers?
A. To incentivize the winning team to complete the project under budget.
B. To compensate the owner for the cost of reviewing proposals.
C. To acknowledge the significant effort and intellectual property contributed during the
proposal phase and encourage robust competition.
D. To meet the minimum legal requirements for public procurement.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To acknowledge the significant effort and intellectual
property contributed during the proposal phase and encourage robust competition.
Rationale: Providing an honorarium is a best practice that recognizes the substantial
investment made by proposers and ensures the owner has the right to use the ideas
presented, thereby fostering fair and competitive participation .
Question 2: In a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) project, when is the Guaranteed
Maximum Price (GMP) typically established?
A. At the time of the initial team selection, based on a 100% complete design.
B. Prior to the release of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
C. After the design has been progressed and the scope is better defined, often through a
phased or bridging process.
D. It is established by the owner’s independent cost estimator before the Design-Builder
is selected.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. After the design has been progressed and the scope is
better defined, often through a phased or bridging process.
Rationale: In Progressive Design-Build, the Design-Builder is selected based on
qualifications. The GMP is developed collaboratively as the design matures, allowing for
better cost certainty based on a more defined scope .
Question 3: Under the DBIA standard forms, what is the primary function of the
"Project Criteria Document"?
A. To outline the subcontractors' specific scopes of work.
B. To serve as the contract for construction administration services.
C. To define the owner's scope, goals, performance requirements, and baseline criteria
,for the project.
D. To list the final material selections and shop drawing approvals.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To define the owner's scope, goals, performance
requirements, and baseline criteria for the project.
Rationale: The Project Criteria is the owner's statement of requirements. It sets the
performance parameters and defines what the Design-Builder is obligated to deliver,
providing the foundation for the project .
Question 4: Which of the following is a key characteristic of a "Best Value"
procurement approach in Design-Build?
A. The award is made solely to the proposer with the lowest price.
B. The selection decision is based on a weighted evaluation of both technical factors
and price.
C. All technical proposals are opened and evaluated before any price is considered.
D. The selection is made through a random lottery among qualified firms.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The selection decision is based on a weighted evaluation of
both technical factors and price.
Rationale: Best Value procurement seeks to select the team offering the best overall
combination of qualifications, technical approach, and price. This is in contrast to "low-
bid" selection, which focuses on cost alone .
Question 5: In the context of the DBIA, what is the primary role of a "Teaming
Agreement"?
A. It is the formal contract between the owner and the Design-Builder.
B. It outlines the relationship, roles, and responsibilities between the contractor and
designer within the Design-Build team.
C. It is a bonding document guaranteeing the project's performance.
D. It serves as the final contract with major trade subcontractors.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. It outlines the relationship, roles, and responsibilities
between the contractor and designer within the Design-Build team.
Rationale: The Teaming Agreement is the foundational pre-award and post-award
agreement between the lead contractor and the lead designer (and other key team
members). It establishes how they will collaborate, share risk, and manage intellectual
property .
Question 6: According to DBIA best practices, why is it important to execute a
Teaming Agreement before significant proposal work begins?
A. To prevent disputes related to costs, intellectual property, and roles during the high-
pressure pursuit phase.
B. To fulfill a requirement of the Miller Act.
,C. To finalize the exact construction schedule.
D. To allow the owner to review the team's internal structure.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. To prevent disputes related to costs, intellectual property,
and roles during the high-pressure pursuit phase.
Rationale: Establishing the rules of engagement, cost-sharing, and IP ownership early
is crucial. It prevents misunderstandings and conflicts that could undermine the team's
collaboration when developing a proposal .
Question 7: Which type of insurance policy is specifically designed to cover the
Design-Builder for errors and omissions (E&O) arising from design professional
services?
A. Commercial General Liability (CGL)
B. Builder's Risk Insurance
C. Workers' Compensation Insurance
D. Professional Liability Insurance
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Professional Liability Insurance
Rationale: CGL policies generally exclude professional services. Professional Liability
(also known as Errors and Omissions) is the necessary coverage to protect the Design-
Builder and its design team from claims related to negligent design, design defects, and
related professional services .
Question 8: During the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase, what is the purpose of
"Proprietary" or "One-on-One" meetings?
A. To allow the owner to secretly negotiate the final price with each proposer.
B. To provide a forum for proposers to present and vet Alternative Technical Concepts
(ATCs) with the owner.
C. To give the owner's selection committee exclusive access to a proposer's
confidential financial information.
D. To announce the final selection of the Design-Builder in a private setting.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To provide a forum for proposers to present and vet
Alternative Technical Concepts (ATCs) with the owner.
Rationale: Proprietary meetings allow a proposer to discuss confidential innovations or
alternative approaches (ATCs) with the owner to gauge their acceptability without
sharing those competitive ideas with other proposers .
Question 9: What is the typical "shortlist" in the context of the Two-Phase Selection
process?
A. A final contract document outlining the scope of work.
B. A list of items that are excluded from the project scope.
C. A group of the most highly qualified firms selected from the RFQ phase to be invited
, to submit proposals in the RFP phase.
D. A list of materials approved by the owner for use on the project.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A group of the most highly qualified firms selected from the
RFQ phase to be invited to submit proposals in the RFP phase.
Rationale: The Two-Phase process is designed to reduce the cost and effort of
preparing detailed proposals. The first phase (RFQ) selects a shortlist of the most
qualified teams, who are then invited to prepare full proposals in the second phase
(RFP) .
Question 10: Which entity typically applies for and obtains the building permit in a
Design-Build project?
A. The Owner.
B. The Design-Builder.
C. The Architect of Record.
D. The local building department.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The Design-Builder.
Rationale: As the single point of responsibility for both design and construction, the
Design-Builder is responsible for managing all regulatory approvals, including applying
for and obtaining the building permit .
Question 11: The "Spearin Doctrine" generally holds that an owner warrants the
sufficiency of the plans and specifications. How does this doctrine typically apply
to Design-Build?
A. It applies in full, as the owner is always the one providing the plans.
B. It is significantly limited or does not apply, because the Design-Builder is responsible
for creating the plans it is following.
C. It is reinforced by DBIA contract documents to give the Design-Builder more
protection.
D. It makes the design professional liable to the owner for all construction defects.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. It is significantly limited or does not apply, because the
Design-Builder is responsible for creating the plans it is following.
Rationale: The Spearin Doctrine is a key concept in Design-Bid-Build where the owner
provides the design. In Design-Build, since the Design-Builder develops the design, the
implicit warranty from the owner does not apply to the design created by the builder's
own team .
Question 12: Which of the following is NOT a core value of the DBIA?
A. Integrity
B. Collaboration
C. Lowest-Price Wins
D. Professionalism
