What is a Multi-prime contract?

• A. A project in which the owner has contracts with several prime contractors
• B. A contract with a single prime contractor
• C. A method where the architect is also the builder
• D. A project where the owner employs a construction manager

Answer: (A)

A Multi-prime contract is a procurement approach where the owner signs separate contracts with multiple prime contractors for different portions of the work, instead of having one general contractor responsible for the entire project. This setup can give the owner more direct control over the selection of specialty trades and allow parallel bidding and faster mobilization for certain trades. It does require strong coordination and interface management, since each prime is responsible for their scope and the owner (or a coordinating entity) must integrate the work and resolve conflicts. The arrangement described matches this approach because it explicitly involves the owner contracting with several prime contractors. The other options describe different delivery methods: a single prime contractor; design-build with the architect acting as builder; or a construction manager delivering the project rather than multiple primes.