Page 36 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

DESIGN-CONSTRUCTION PROCESS 1.17

Having determined the above, along with other pertinent project requirements, the
selection of the most suitable project delivery system can be decided. The most common
project delivery methods used in the industry are
• Design-Bid-Build (DBB)
• Design-Build (DB)
• Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM)
• Construction management with or without guaranteed maximum price (GMP)
• Partnering
• Building information modeling

Design-Bid-Build (DBB) Process

Under this scenario an owner retains a qualified architect/engineer to design a project for its
needs and then submits the design for bidding to qualified contractors for the construction.
In this process the professional designer has the responsibility to design the project to the
agreed requirements of the client in accordance with the local building code for the protect-
ing the public. The contractor has the responsibility to build the project in accordance with
the requirements of the contract documents. Although both the designer and contractor have
common allegiance to the owner, the relationship between them may be trying at times.
Generally, the owner requires a statement from the design professional that the project
was built in accordance with the contract documents.

Design-Build (DB) Process
In the 1980s a new idea of “one-stop” shopping entered the construction industry. The owner
now has the opportunity to contract with one entity (responsibility) for the design, construc-
tion, and guarantee of the project. Previously, DB projects were also known as turnkey
projects. Normally in the DB process a qualified contractor retains the design professionals
and is in control of both the design and construction of the project. There are occasions when
a qualified design professional heads the DB process and hires either one general contractor
or several contractors as needed for the project. At the completion of the project, the owner
only requires certification from the design-builder. Many owners in the private sector and
some government agencies do not require an acceptance of the project from design profes-
sionals because their contract is with the design-builder and this entity is the responsible
source. Any disputes between the designers and constructors become an internal matter
among them, which does not involve the owner. The owner requires certification from the
design-builder that the project conforms to the contract requirements. It should be noted that
the designer is not part of this process.

Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM) Process
The DBOM process is a relatively new way to construct a major public or utility project
with the idea being that the successful qualified entity will also contractually be responsi-
ble to operate the building systems and maintain it for a designated number of years.
The design professionals, especially the architect and the structural engineer, must
review the contractual requirements regarding their role in the operational and maintenance
conditions of the DBOM contract with the design-builder who is generally a contractor and