_____ takes the best of 'qualified' teams and is a key to DB success.

• A. Bidding
• B. Shortlisting
• C. Prequalification
• D. Negotiation

Answer: (B)

Shortlisting narrows the pool of qualified teams to the top contenders who will move forward in the procurement process. After teams pass a prequalification review, which confirms they meet the basic requirements (experience, financial stability, safety, etc.), the owner selects the best among those qualified teams to invite bids or to enter negotiations. This step is essential for design-build success because it concentrates evaluation on the strongest performers, keeps competition meaningful, and reduces risk by ensuring only capable firms advance. Bidding involves submitting proposals from invited teams, prequalification is the screening that determines eligibility, and negotiation happens after proposals are evaluated. Therefore, shortlisting is the action that takes the best of the qualified teams and advances them.