Which statement describes the Design-Build project delivery method?

• A. The owner contracts with one entity to provide both design and construction services, that entity then subcontracts portions of the work to others as needed
• B. A form of business ownership where the owner has unlimited liability
• C. A project where the owner employs a construction manager to oversee the project
• D. A project delivery method in which the design and construction are performed by separate entities with a competitive bid

Answer: (A)

Design-build is a project delivery approach where the owner signs a single contract with one entity that provides both design and construction services. That entity may subcontract portions of the work to specialists, but the responsibility for design and construction lies with that single point of accountability. This arrangement enables integrated teamwork, faster decision-making, and potential overlapping of design and construction activities, which can shorten the schedule and improve cost control.

The other statements describe different concepts. An unlimited-liability business structure isn’t about the delivery method. A project where a construction manager oversees the work is characteristic of CM/AR or CM approach, not design-build. A setup where design and construction are performed by separate entities with competitive bids describes design-bid-build, which has distinct bids for design and then for construction.