DBIA EXAM REVIEW 2026 FULL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GUARANTEED PASS GRADED
A+
◉ The Design-Builder assumes what type of responsibility regarding
errors and omissions in bridging documents provided by the
Owner? Answer: Full responsibility for errors and omissions
◉ In a Design-Build contract, if the Owner insists on a design
specification rather than a performance specification, which of the
following risks increases significantly for the Owner? Answer:
Performance failure due to Owner-specified design
◉ What is a key advantage of a Two-Step Best Value procurement
over a Single-Step? Answer: Encourages more bidders by reducing
workload in Step 1
◉ Which of the following would most likely trigger a Type 1
differing site condition claim? Answer: Encountering an
undocumented utility line
◉ Which party typically holds the contractual obligation for
obtaining and paying for permits in a Design-Build delivery model?
Answer: The Design-Builder
,◉ In a Design-Build team, the "single point of responsibility"
typically refers to: Answer: The Design-Builder
◉ Which scenario best reflects a misalignment in expectations
during a progressive design-build process? Answer: Owner
withholds decision-making authority from key stakeholders
◉ What is the most likely consequence of a poorly defined basis of
design (BOD)? Answer: Misinterpretation of performance criteria
◉ Under DBIA Standard Form of Agreement, who has the right to
direct the means and methods of construction? Answer: The Design-
Builder
◉ What is the principal challenge in allocating design risk in a
Design-Build project? Answer: Transfer of design liability from
architect to design-builder
◉ Under DBIA best practices, which of the following is the most
important factor during team selection? Answer: Qualifications and
team cohesion
◉ A Design-Build project using a bridging approach is most at risk
of: Answer: Duplicate design effort
,◉ Which legal doctrine may limit a contractor's liability if a project
is built precisely to Owner-furnished design documents? Answer:
Spearin Doctrine
◉ When is the optimal time to establish the Design-Builder's
Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in a progressive design-build
model? Answer: At 60-80% design development
◉ Which of the following is LEAST likely to be considered a Design-
Builder's risk? Answer: Change in Owner leadership
◉ If the Owner fails to make timely decisions during the design
validation phase, what is the Design-Builder's best contractual
remedy? Answer: Issue a change order for delay
◉ The primary legal purpose of a teaming agreement in Design-
Build procurement is: Answer: To establish terms of collaboration
between design and construction entities
◉ Which of the following best reflects the principle of 'design
excellence' in the context of Design-Build? Answer: Integrated
design solutions aligned with Owner goals
, ◉ In a fixed-price Design-Build contract, cost savings due to
innovative methods usually: Answer: Are shared per the contract's
incentive provisions
◉ What factor most increases the risk of scope creep in Design-
Build? Answer: Poorly defined Owner project goals
◉ Which is a distinguishing characteristic of a highly effective
Owner's criteria document? Answer: Unambiguous functional
requirements
◉ DBIA advocates for the use of performance-based specifications
because they: Answer: Permit innovation by the Design-Builder
◉ A Design-Build contract that includes substantial Owner-directed
design elements should: Answer: Clearly allocate liability for
performance
◉ What is the purpose of a validation phase in progressive design-
build? Answer: To align scope, budget, and performance
expectations
◉ In the context of integrated delivery, "design assist" typically
refers to: Answer: Subcontractors influencing the design for
constructability and cost efficiency
AND ANSWERS GUARANTEED PASS GRADED
A+
◉ The Design-Builder assumes what type of responsibility regarding
errors and omissions in bridging documents provided by the
Owner? Answer: Full responsibility for errors and omissions
◉ In a Design-Build contract, if the Owner insists on a design
specification rather than a performance specification, which of the
following risks increases significantly for the Owner? Answer:
Performance failure due to Owner-specified design
◉ What is a key advantage of a Two-Step Best Value procurement
over a Single-Step? Answer: Encourages more bidders by reducing
workload in Step 1
◉ Which of the following would most likely trigger a Type 1
differing site condition claim? Answer: Encountering an
undocumented utility line
◉ Which party typically holds the contractual obligation for
obtaining and paying for permits in a Design-Build delivery model?
Answer: The Design-Builder
,◉ In a Design-Build team, the "single point of responsibility"
typically refers to: Answer: The Design-Builder
◉ Which scenario best reflects a misalignment in expectations
during a progressive design-build process? Answer: Owner
withholds decision-making authority from key stakeholders
◉ What is the most likely consequence of a poorly defined basis of
design (BOD)? Answer: Misinterpretation of performance criteria
◉ Under DBIA Standard Form of Agreement, who has the right to
direct the means and methods of construction? Answer: The Design-
Builder
◉ What is the principal challenge in allocating design risk in a
Design-Build project? Answer: Transfer of design liability from
architect to design-builder
◉ Under DBIA best practices, which of the following is the most
important factor during team selection? Answer: Qualifications and
team cohesion
◉ A Design-Build project using a bridging approach is most at risk
of: Answer: Duplicate design effort
,◉ Which legal doctrine may limit a contractor's liability if a project
is built precisely to Owner-furnished design documents? Answer:
Spearin Doctrine
◉ When is the optimal time to establish the Design-Builder's
Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in a progressive design-build
model? Answer: At 60-80% design development
◉ Which of the following is LEAST likely to be considered a Design-
Builder's risk? Answer: Change in Owner leadership
◉ If the Owner fails to make timely decisions during the design
validation phase, what is the Design-Builder's best contractual
remedy? Answer: Issue a change order for delay
◉ The primary legal purpose of a teaming agreement in Design-
Build procurement is: Answer: To establish terms of collaboration
between design and construction entities
◉ Which of the following best reflects the principle of 'design
excellence' in the context of Design-Build? Answer: Integrated
design solutions aligned with Owner goals
, ◉ In a fixed-price Design-Build contract, cost savings due to
innovative methods usually: Answer: Are shared per the contract's
incentive provisions
◉ What factor most increases the risk of scope creep in Design-
Build? Answer: Poorly defined Owner project goals
◉ Which is a distinguishing characteristic of a highly effective
Owner's criteria document? Answer: Unambiguous functional
requirements
◉ DBIA advocates for the use of performance-based specifications
because they: Answer: Permit innovation by the Design-Builder
◉ A Design-Build contract that includes substantial Owner-directed
design elements should: Answer: Clearly allocate liability for
performance
◉ What is the purpose of a validation phase in progressive design-
build? Answer: To align scope, budget, and performance
expectations
◉ In the context of integrated delivery, "design assist" typically
refers to: Answer: Subcontractors influencing the design for
constructability and cost efficiency
