Which contract type retains a contractor to provide advisory services during the project?

• A. Construction manager-at-risk
• B. Design-build
• C. Task-order
• D. Single-source

Answer: (A)

This question hinges on understanding which contract type keeps a contractor involved in an advisory role throughout the project. A construction manager-at-risk arrangement is designed so a construction manager is brought on early to provide preconstruction advisory services—like cost estimating, planning, scheduling, and constructability reviews—and to guide decisions during design and procurement. The manager collaborates with the owner as an advisor while also bearing responsibility for the construction work under a guaranteed maximum price, tying expert oversight to project cost and schedule.

The other options don’t center on an ongoing advisory contractor in the same way. Design-build typically pairs design and construction under one entity, focusing on delivering both tasks rather than maintaining an independent advisor throughout the project. Task-order contracts are a method for issuing individual work orders under a master agreement, not specifically about a continuing advisory role. Single-source procurement refers to how a supplier is selected, not to the contract form that provides advisory services during project execution.

So, the contract that best fits the idea of retaining a contractor to provide advisory services during the project is the construction manager-at-risk arrangement.