Design-Bid-Build (DBB) is most commonly associated with which bidding approach?

• A. Invite bid open to prequalified bidders.
• B. Phase bid.
• C. Negotiated bid.
• D. Direct procurement by owner.

Answer: (A)

Design-Bid-Build separates design from construction, so procurement happens after the design is complete. The bidding approach most associated with this method is inviting bids from contractors who have been prequalified, allowing the owner to compare bids from a vetted pool and award to the lowest responsive bid. Prequalification ensures bidders have the necessary experience, financial capacity, and safety records to perform the work under the contract, aligning with DBB’s emphasis on price competition after a complete, well-defined design. The other options don’t fit this delivery method: phased bidding isn’t typical for DBB, negotiated bids are more common in design-build or CM at-risk scenarios, and direct owner procurement bypasses competitive bidding.