What distinguishes the Design-Bid-Build (DBB) method?

The Design-Bid-Build (DBB) method is characterized by the owner separately contracting with different teams for the design and the construction of the project. In this conventional project delivery method, the project begins with a detailed design phase, followed by a bidding phase where contractors submit their bids to execute the construction based on the completed design. This separation ensures that the design can be thoroughly vetted and accurately represented in bid documents, leading to clear expectations in terms of project scope, costs, and timelines.

This method emphasizes a clear division of roles, with the designer focusing solely on the architectural and engineering aspects, while the contractor handles the physical building tasks. In contrast to other methods, such as design-build, where one entity manages both design and construction, the traditional DBB format presents a more straightforward framework that many owners are accustomed to, despite being potentially less efficient in terms of collaboration and schedule.