flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Surety bond forms specifically for design-build projects now available

Building Team

Surety bond forms specifically for design-build projects now available

The documents are the first of their kind to be coauthored by designers and builders.


By John Caulfield, Senior Editor | May 8, 2015
Surety bond forms specifically for design-build projects now available

The Design-Build Institute of America released a full set of bonds for design-build projects. Image: Pixabay/jingoba

The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) has released what it claims to be the first and only full set of warranty bonds, proposal bonds, and payment and performance bonds that are specifically crafted for design-build projects.

A task force within the Washington-based DBIA, chaired by G. William Quatman, the general counsel for Burns and McDonnell, worked over the past year on forms that are tailored to this sector. The coauthors of the forms include designers and builders. The National Association of Surety Bond Producers and the Surety & Fidelity Association of America have endorsed the documents.

The new family of bond forms includes a Proposal Bond (610), a Warranty Bond (615), and three sets of Payment and Performance Bonds for Design-Builders (620 and 625), Contractors (640 and 645), and Subcontractors (630 and 635).

“Mirroring the design-build philosophy, DBIA’s family of contract documents is reflective of our diverse membership base representing the needs of both public and private owners, general and specialty contractors, architects, consultants, and engineers,” says Lisa Washington, the Institute’s Executive Director and CEO. “They are written to guide success for the entire project team – owners and practitioners alike.”

A spokesperson for the Institute, Geoff Corey, tells BD+C that his organization focuses primarily on nonresidential activities. “So these forms would be of real interest to [AEC] firms doing design-build commercial or government projects.”

He also points out that many AEC firms that don’t specialize in design-build enter these projects through joint ventures and LLCs, or are hired subcontractors. “They would probably be interested in using these model forms since they’ve been created for design-build projects,” says Corey.

DBIA states that the advantage of these documents is that they offer one solicitation, one award, and one contract to administer. The documents are also adaptable to a project team’s characteristics.

The bond forms, as well as other contract and consent forms are available on DBIA’s website.

Related Stories

Office Buildings | Jul 19, 2022

Austin adaptive reuse project transforms warehouse site into indoor-outdoor creative office building

Fifth and Tillery, an adaptive reuse project, has revitalized a post-industrial site in East Austin, Texas.

Women in Design+Construction | Jul 18, 2022

Registration is open for BD+C's 2022 Women in Design+Construction Conference

Join your AEC industry peers in Chicago, September 26-28, 2022, for the 7th annual Women in Design+Construction Conference, hosted by the BD+C editorial team and the 35-person WIDC Advisory Board. 

Airports | Jul 18, 2022

FAA will award nearly $1 billion for airport projects

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award nearly $1 billion to 85 airports of all sizes across the country to improve terminals.

Building Team | Jul 18, 2022

Understanding the growing design-build market

FMI’s new analysis of the design-build market forecast for the next fives years shows that this delivery method will continue to grow, despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mixed-Use | Jul 18, 2022

Mixed-use development outside Prague uses a material made from leftover bricks

Outside Prague, the Sugar Factory, a mixed-used residential development with public space, marks the largest project to use the sustainable material Rebetong. 

Building Team | Jul 15, 2022

ABC: Construction materials prices increased in June, up 20% from a year ago

Construction input prices increased 1.9% in June compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today.

Arenas | Jul 15, 2022

U. of Oregon renovation aims for ‘finest track and field facility in the world’

The renovation of the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field had the goal of creating the “finest track and field facility in the world.”

Building Team | Jul 14, 2022

ABC’s construction backlog inches lower in June; Contractor confidence falters

Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell 0.1 months in June and stands at 8.9 months, according to an ABC member survey conducted June 21 to July 5.

Sustainable Development | Jul 14, 2022

Designing for climate change and inclusion, with CBT Architects' Kishore Varanasi and Devanshi Purohit

Climate change is having a dramatic impact on urban design, in terms of planning, materials, occupant use, location, and the long-term effect of buildings on the environment. Joining BD+C's John Caulfield to discuss this topic are two experts from the Boston-based CBT Architects: Kishore Varanasi, a Principal and director of urban design; and Devanshi Purohit, an Associate Principal.

Multifamily Housing | Jul 14, 2022

Multifamily rents rise again in June, Yardi Matrix reports

Average U.S. multifamily rents rose another $19 in June to edge over $1,700 for the first time ever, according to the latest Yardi® Matrix Multifamily Report.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category



Giants 400

Top 75 Engineering Firms for 2023

Kimley-Horn, WSP, Tetra Tech, Langan, and IMEG head the rankings of the nation's largest engineering firms for nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.


halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021