Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Exam 2 Practice 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The document that communicates what the Owner values for the project is the RFP. It is the procurement tool that lays out the Owner’s goals, performance requirements, and evaluation criteria, signaling what outcomes matter most—such as schedule, cost, quality, lifecycle performance, and risk transfer. By detailing how proposals will be judged and what criteria will be used, the RFP tells bidders how the Owner intends to measure success and what tradeoffs are acceptable, guiding their approach to the design-build solution.

In contrast, a schedule conveys timing and milestones, not the values driving selection. A statement of work describes the specific work and deliverables to be performed, outlining scope rather than the Owner’s overall priorities. The contract formalizes terms and obligations after selection, focusing on legal and financial commitments rather than communicating the Owner’s desired value up front.