In a DBB arrangement, what term describes the gaps between plans and specs and Owner's performance requirements?

• A. Variations
• B. Gaps
• C. Errors
• D. Omissions

Answer: (B)

In DBB, the Owner’s Performance Requirements (OPR) set what the project must achieve, and the plans and specifications are the design team’s way to meet those outcomes. When there’s a mismatch or missing linkage between what the owner requires and what the design documents express, those mismatches are described as gaps. They signal areas where the design does not yet satisfy the performance criteria or leaves room for interpretation, needing clarification or redesign to align with the OPR. Variations refer to changes after agreement, omissions are missing information in the documents, and errors are mistakes in the documents; but the specific term for the misalignment between requirements and design is gaps.