Contract Documents - Part 1

Question 1

What should you do before anything else when dealing with Contracts?

Answer 1

“Read the whole contract and know what is in the contract”

Question 2

What are the 7 main categories of Contract Documents?

Answer 2

• Bidding Requirements
• Contract Forms
• Conditions
• Specifications
• Drawings
• Addenda
• Modifications

Question 3

What is the difference between Bidding Requirements and Bidding Documents?

Answer 3

Bidding Requirements is the first step in a contract (creating Contract A) and includes:

• The invitation to bid
• Instruction to bidders
• Information available to bidders
• Bid forms

Bidding Documents encompasses all the contract documents including Bidding Requirements (thereby making Contract B)
It also includes:
- Contract Forms
- Conditions of Contract
- Specifications
- Drawings

Question 4

Why are Instructions to Bidders important?

Answer 4

They are required for consistency of bids in both preparation and submission

Question 5

What is an Alternative Tender?

Answer 5

A tenderer may submit an alternative tender which varies the materials, product designs, or equipment from those approved under the Contract Documents.
An Alternative Tender must be in addition to, and not in substitution for, a tender conforming to Contract Documents.

Question 6

What does the Bid Proposal Form do?

Answer 6

It is only an offer, but it creates Contract A. It constitutes intent to enter into agreement.

Question 7

What is Agreement?

Answer 7

Agreement creates Contract B.

This includes items such as contract documents, contract price, payment, language etc.

Question 8

What are General Conditions used for?

Answer 8

They are used to define the responsibilities of the parties to the Contract and guidelines used in administration of the Contract

Question 9

Should General Conditions be changed if needed?

Answer 9

No, any changes should only be done through the Supplementary Conditions