DBIA Exam 1 Actual Exam QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 | Design-Build
Fundamentals Complete Q&A Graded A+ |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Design-Build Fundamentals and Principles
Questions 1-12
Question 1 Which of the following best describes the design-build project delivery method?
A. The owner contracts separately with a designer and a builder
B. A single entity contracts with the owner to provide both design and construction services
[CORRECT]
C. The builder is selected first, then hires a designer
D. The designer is selected first, then hires a builder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Design-build is characterized by a single point of responsibility where one entity (the
design-builder) contracts with the owner to provide both design and construction services. This
creates contractual integration that eliminates the traditional fragmentation between designer and
builder. Option A describes design-bid-build. Options C and D describe possible team structures
but not the contractual essence of design-build. The single contract is the defining characteristic
that enables collaboration, risk transfer, and schedule acceleration.
Question 2 Which of the following is a primary advantage of design-build compared to design-
bid-build?
A. Multiple contracts and multiple points of responsibility
B. Single point of responsibility and reduced project delivery time [CORRECT]
C. Lower design quality
D. Increased adversarial relationships
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Design-build offers a single point of responsibility, reducing owner risk exposure and
administrative burden, and can reduce project delivery time by 10-30% through overlapping
design and construction (fast-tracking). The integrated team approach reduces change orders and
claims. Option A describes disadvantages of design-bid-build. Option C is false—design-build
often achieves higher quality through constructability input during design. Option D is
opposite—design-build reduces adversarial relationships compared to design-bid-build's inherent
designer-contractor conflict. These advantages make design-build the fastest-growing delivery
method in the U.S.
Question 3 In design-build, the design-builder is responsible for:
A. Design only
B. Construction only
C. Both design and construction, and is the single point of contact for the owner [CORRECT]
D. Financing only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The design-builder is responsible for both design and construction and serves as the
single point of contact for the owner, streamlining communication and accountability. This
eliminates the owner from being caught between designer and contractor disputes. The design-
builder may self-perform design or construction, or subcontract portions, but retains contractual
responsibility. Financing (D) is typically owner responsibility unless it's a P3 or specific
arrangement. This integration allows the design-builder to optimize the entire project for cost,
schedule, and performance.
Question 4 The "bridging" method in design-build refers to:
A. A contract that spans multiple projects
B. The owner hires a designer to develop preliminary design, then a design-builder completes
design and construction [CORRECT]
C. Building a bridge
D. A financing method
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bridging is a hybrid approach where the owner hires a designer (bridging architect)
to develop preliminary design (typically 30-60% complete) establishing performance criteria and
aesthetic requirements, then solicits design-build proposals to complete the design and construct
the project. This provides owner input while retaining design-build benefits. It's not multi-project
,(A), not literally bridge construction (C), and not financing (D). Bridging is common in public
sector where owners want design control but seek design-build efficiency.
Question 5 Design-build differs from EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) in that:
A. They are identical terms
B. EPC typically includes procurement of major equipment and is common in industrial/process
projects [CORRECT]
C. Design-build never includes procurement
D. EPC is only used for buildings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) is a form of design-build
emphasizing procurement of major equipment and is prevalent in industrial, power,
petrochemical, and process plants where equipment costs dominate. While design-build can
include procurement, EPC explicitly emphasizes it and often involves performance guarantees
for process output. Design-build is broader, used for buildings and infrastructure. Option A is
incorrect—they're related but distinct. Option C is wrong—design-build can include
procurement. Option D is reversed—EPC is industrial-focused, not building-focused.
Question 6 Which of the following is NOT a typical type of design-build procurement?
A. Direct selection (sole source)
B. Qualifications-based selection
C. Sealed bid (low-bid)
D. Design-bid-build [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Design-bid-build is a different delivery method, not a design-build procurement type.
Design-build procurement methods include: direct selection (A) for unique qualifications or
emergencies; qualifications-based selection (QBS) (B) selecting on qualifications then
negotiating price; best-value (price + technical); and low-bid (C) where price is primary after
meeting minimum qualifications. Understanding these procurement options is essential for
selecting the appropriate method for project complexity, urgency, and owner capabilities.
Question 7 Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) differs from traditional design-build in that:
A. IPD involves a multi-party contract between owner, designer, and builder with shared
risk/reward [CORRECT]
, B. IPD uses only a single contract like design-build
C. IPD eliminates the owner from the team
D. IPD is only for private projects
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IPD creates a multi-party agreement (or aligned separate contracts) where owner,
designer, and builder share risk and reward based on project outcomes, with decisions requiring
consensus. Traditional design-build uses a single contract between owner and design-builder.
IPD emphasizes early involvement, target value design, and lean principles. The owner is
integral (C is wrong). IPD can be used on public projects with appropriate procurement (D is
wrong). IPD represents the highest level of integration and collaboration in project delivery.
Question 8 Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) differs from design-build in that:
A. CMAR involves the construction manager committing to a GMP before design is complete
and acting as general contractor [CORRECT]
B. CMAR provides a single contract for design and construction
C. CMAR eliminates the owner's contract with the designer
D. CMAR and design-build are identical
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In CMAR, the owner contracts separately with a designer and a construction manager
who acts as advisor during preconstruction, then converts to at-risk contractor (like GC) with a
GMP before design completion. Unlike design-build (B, C), CMAR maintains separate designer
and builder contracts with the owner, creating potential gaps in responsibility. The CMAR
provides preconstruction services (estimating, scheduling, constructability) but doesn't provide
the single-point responsibility of design-build. Option D is incorrect—they're distinct delivery
methods.
Question 9 Which factor most significantly enables schedule reduction in design-build projects?
A. Elimination of all permits
B. Overlapping of design and construction activities (fast-tracking) [CORRECT]
C. Reduced quality requirements
D. Elimination of owner involvement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fast-tracking—starting construction before design is complete—is the primary
schedule advantage of design-build. Long-lead procurement and early construction activities
AND ANSWERS 2026 | Design-Build
Fundamentals Complete Q&A Graded A+ |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Design-Build Fundamentals and Principles
Questions 1-12
Question 1 Which of the following best describes the design-build project delivery method?
A. The owner contracts separately with a designer and a builder
B. A single entity contracts with the owner to provide both design and construction services
[CORRECT]
C. The builder is selected first, then hires a designer
D. The designer is selected first, then hires a builder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Design-build is characterized by a single point of responsibility where one entity (the
design-builder) contracts with the owner to provide both design and construction services. This
creates contractual integration that eliminates the traditional fragmentation between designer and
builder. Option A describes design-bid-build. Options C and D describe possible team structures
but not the contractual essence of design-build. The single contract is the defining characteristic
that enables collaboration, risk transfer, and schedule acceleration.
Question 2 Which of the following is a primary advantage of design-build compared to design-
bid-build?
A. Multiple contracts and multiple points of responsibility
B. Single point of responsibility and reduced project delivery time [CORRECT]
C. Lower design quality
D. Increased adversarial relationships
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Design-build offers a single point of responsibility, reducing owner risk exposure and
administrative burden, and can reduce project delivery time by 10-30% through overlapping
design and construction (fast-tracking). The integrated team approach reduces change orders and
claims. Option A describes disadvantages of design-bid-build. Option C is false—design-build
often achieves higher quality through constructability input during design. Option D is
opposite—design-build reduces adversarial relationships compared to design-bid-build's inherent
designer-contractor conflict. These advantages make design-build the fastest-growing delivery
method in the U.S.
Question 3 In design-build, the design-builder is responsible for:
A. Design only
B. Construction only
C. Both design and construction, and is the single point of contact for the owner [CORRECT]
D. Financing only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The design-builder is responsible for both design and construction and serves as the
single point of contact for the owner, streamlining communication and accountability. This
eliminates the owner from being caught between designer and contractor disputes. The design-
builder may self-perform design or construction, or subcontract portions, but retains contractual
responsibility. Financing (D) is typically owner responsibility unless it's a P3 or specific
arrangement. This integration allows the design-builder to optimize the entire project for cost,
schedule, and performance.
Question 4 The "bridging" method in design-build refers to:
A. A contract that spans multiple projects
B. The owner hires a designer to develop preliminary design, then a design-builder completes
design and construction [CORRECT]
C. Building a bridge
D. A financing method
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bridging is a hybrid approach where the owner hires a designer (bridging architect)
to develop preliminary design (typically 30-60% complete) establishing performance criteria and
aesthetic requirements, then solicits design-build proposals to complete the design and construct
the project. This provides owner input while retaining design-build benefits. It's not multi-project
,(A), not literally bridge construction (C), and not financing (D). Bridging is common in public
sector where owners want design control but seek design-build efficiency.
Question 5 Design-build differs from EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) in that:
A. They are identical terms
B. EPC typically includes procurement of major equipment and is common in industrial/process
projects [CORRECT]
C. Design-build never includes procurement
D. EPC is only used for buildings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) is a form of design-build
emphasizing procurement of major equipment and is prevalent in industrial, power,
petrochemical, and process plants where equipment costs dominate. While design-build can
include procurement, EPC explicitly emphasizes it and often involves performance guarantees
for process output. Design-build is broader, used for buildings and infrastructure. Option A is
incorrect—they're related but distinct. Option C is wrong—design-build can include
procurement. Option D is reversed—EPC is industrial-focused, not building-focused.
Question 6 Which of the following is NOT a typical type of design-build procurement?
A. Direct selection (sole source)
B. Qualifications-based selection
C. Sealed bid (low-bid)
D. Design-bid-build [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Design-bid-build is a different delivery method, not a design-build procurement type.
Design-build procurement methods include: direct selection (A) for unique qualifications or
emergencies; qualifications-based selection (QBS) (B) selecting on qualifications then
negotiating price; best-value (price + technical); and low-bid (C) where price is primary after
meeting minimum qualifications. Understanding these procurement options is essential for
selecting the appropriate method for project complexity, urgency, and owner capabilities.
Question 7 Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) differs from traditional design-build in that:
A. IPD involves a multi-party contract between owner, designer, and builder with shared
risk/reward [CORRECT]
, B. IPD uses only a single contract like design-build
C. IPD eliminates the owner from the team
D. IPD is only for private projects
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IPD creates a multi-party agreement (or aligned separate contracts) where owner,
designer, and builder share risk and reward based on project outcomes, with decisions requiring
consensus. Traditional design-build uses a single contract between owner and design-builder.
IPD emphasizes early involvement, target value design, and lean principles. The owner is
integral (C is wrong). IPD can be used on public projects with appropriate procurement (D is
wrong). IPD represents the highest level of integration and collaboration in project delivery.
Question 8 Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) differs from design-build in that:
A. CMAR involves the construction manager committing to a GMP before design is complete
and acting as general contractor [CORRECT]
B. CMAR provides a single contract for design and construction
C. CMAR eliminates the owner's contract with the designer
D. CMAR and design-build are identical
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In CMAR, the owner contracts separately with a designer and a construction manager
who acts as advisor during preconstruction, then converts to at-risk contractor (like GC) with a
GMP before design completion. Unlike design-build (B, C), CMAR maintains separate designer
and builder contracts with the owner, creating potential gaps in responsibility. The CMAR
provides preconstruction services (estimating, scheduling, constructability) but doesn't provide
the single-point responsibility of design-build. Option D is incorrect—they're distinct delivery
methods.
Question 9 Which factor most significantly enables schedule reduction in design-build projects?
A. Elimination of all permits
B. Overlapping of design and construction activities (fast-tracking) [CORRECT]
C. Reduced quality requirements
D. Elimination of owner involvement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fast-tracking—starting construction before design is complete—is the primary
schedule advantage of design-build. Long-lead procurement and early construction activities
