CONTRACT PRACTICE Flashcards
What does NECC stand for and what is it?
New Engineering Contract - A suite of construction contracts intended to promote partnering and collaboration between the contractor and client
What is X clauses X1 to X5
*Option X1 Price adjustment for inflation (used only with Options A, B, C and D)
*Option X2 Changes in the law
*Option X3 Multiple currencies (used only with Options A and B)
* Option X4 Parent company guarantee
*Option X5 Sectional Completion
What is X clauses X6,X7,X12,X13,X14
*Option X6 Bonus for early Completion
*Option X7 Delay damages
*Option X12 Partnering
*Option X13 Performance bond
*Option X14 Advanced payment to the Contractor
What is X clauses X15-X20
*Option X15 Limitation of the Contractor’s liability for his design to reasonable skill and care
*Option X16 Retention (not used with Option F)
*Option X17 Low performance damages
*Option X18 Limitation of liability
*Option X20 Key Performance Indicators
What is a Z clause + provide an example
Z clauses are bespoke clauses or amendments to the standard form clauses added to NEC3
Conflict of interest
Activity Schedule?
An activity schedule is a list of activities prepared by the Contractor which he expects to carry out in Providing the Works.
When it has been priced by the Contractor, the lump sum for each activity is the Price to be paid by the Employer for that activity.
Bill of Quants? How is it priced? What does the Employer pay for?
A bill of quantities comprises a list of work items and quantities.
Tenderers price the items, taking account of the information in the tender documents and including for all matters which are at the Contractor’s risk.
The Employer pays for work done on the basis of actual measurement of those items with quantities
Target Cost? What does the employer pay for?
Target contracts are sometimes used where the extent of work to be done is not fully defined or where anticipated risks are greater.
The financial risk is shared between the Employer and the Contractor.
Employer\Contractor Pays for PWDD over or under the target cost.
Cost Reimbursable?
A cost reimbursable contract should be used when the definition of the work to be done is inadequate even as a basis for a target price and yet an early start to construction is required.
In such circumstances, the Contractor cannot be expected to take cost risks other than those which entail control of his employees and other resources.
He carries minimum risk and is paid Defined Cost plus his tendered Fee.
How is payment dates decided and what is the payment period?
First payment date decided by PM and then 4 weeks after that date + additional assessment occurs after completion
What is retention?
In NEC Retention is an optional clause - provides security for the client, to protect it from the contractor’s failure to correct defects after completion and the insolvency of businesses in the construction supply chain.
What is Option A contract and advantages & disadvantages?
Option A – Priced contract with Activity Schedule - fixed lump sum
- Less risk to client as cost is fully defined.
- Only risk is employers risk
DIS - Need full scope of works
What is Option B contract and advantages & disadvantages?
Option B – Priced contract with Bill of Quants –remeasurement -
ADV - Less risk to client, paid tender rates for works done – only risk is employers’ risks and time + cost of CEs.
DIS - Need full scope of works
What is Option C contract and advantages & disadvantages?
Option C – Target Cost with Activity Schedule - cost reimbursement with fixed target -even cost risk between all parties good when there is a half scope, gives contractor incentive to save money
DIS - actual cost remains unknown until end date
What is Option D contract and advantages & disadvantages?
Option D – Target Cost with Bill of Quants - cost reimbursement with remeasure target even cost risk between all parties. - good when there is a half scope
What is Option E contract and advantages & disadvantages?
Option E – Cost reimbursable no target – most risk to client - the Contractor is paid the Defined. Cost, as defined in the chosen main Option. good when there is no scope
ADV - simple to manage
Dis - no fixed cost
What is Option F contract?
Option F – Management Contract - cost reimbursement for subbies and lump sum for contractor - Option F is essentially cost reimbursable but risk allocation can be varied by choosing appropriate main Options in the subcontracts
Compensation Events?
Compensation events are events which, if they occur, and do not arise from the Contractor’s fault, entitle the Contractor to be compensated for any effect the event has on the Prices and the Completion Date or a Key Date
Advantages & Disadvantages of NEC
*Adv - Stimulate good management.
*Be clear and simple, written in plain English, in the present tense and without legal terminology.
*Be useable in a wide variety of situations from minor works to major projects
*Promotes collaboration
*Dis- Requiring too much expertise to operate, focusing too much on project management
*The number of companies involved on a large building project and the length of supply chains means that capturing cost information in relation to compensation events takes a long time.
JCT Contract Types
- Standard Building Contract designed by design team and constructed by Contractor.
-Design and Build - full or partly designed and constructed by contractor
Construction Management
-Minor Works
NEC3 VS NEC4
*New forms of contract - the Design Build and Operate Contract (DBO), the Alliance Contract (ALC), and the Facilities Management Contract (FMC)
*Improved clarity and simplicity across the NEC4 suite
*New and improved support for dispute avoidance, early contractor involvement, quality management, and more
What 6 items make an offer valid?
Offer, acceptance, consideration, intent, legality and capacity.
CDM Regs 2015?
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM Regulations) are intended to ensure that health and safety issues are properly considered during a project’s development so that the risk of harm to those who have to build, use and maintain structures is reduced.
3 Types of Letter of Intent
Letter of comfort- extends tender period , Authority to spend- allows work to progress on site and recognition of contract - contract starts while conditions are being agreed
What is a performance bond
Insurance back surety which provides generally 10% of the contract sum should the contract fail in their insurance.
Construction Act 1996
Introduced - interim payments, suspension, adjudication, pay when paid and applies to verbal contracts.
What is a contractual Warranty
Side agreement to create a contractual link between parties who would not be linked.
What are a couple of contract types aside from lump sum?
Lump sum - Fixed price for works only extras are instructed.
Re-measure - based on approx quantities or schedule or rates
Cost reimbursable - Contractor gets actual cost plus OHP
When does a performance bond expire?
PC
What is a divergence and discrepancy in terms of a contract?
Divergence -when contact docs does not comply with statutory requirements
Discrepancy - Inconsistency between contract docs
3rd Party Rights
Removes the right of privy to the contract and allows 3rd parties to enforce the benefit of the contract