1999 FIDIC Guide for Consulting Engineers

Fédération Internationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils
International Federation of Consulting Engineers
Internationale Vereinigung Beratender Ingenieure
Federación Internacional de Ingenieros Consultores
The FIDIC Contracts Guide
WITH DETAILED GUIDANCE ON USING THE FIRST EDITIONS OF FIDIC’S
1999 CONDITIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION, PLANT & DB and EPC/T
ISBN 2 – 88432 – 029 – 9 2000

FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DES INGENIEURS-CONSEILS
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS
INTERNATIONALE VEREINIGUNG BERATENDER INGENIEURE
FEDERACION INTERNACIONAL DE INGENIEROS CONSOLTORES
The FIDIC Contracts Guide
CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION
CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT FOR PLANT AND DESIGN-BUILD
CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT FOR FOR EPC/TURNKEY PROJECTS
First Edition 2000
ISBN 2-88432-022-9

Acknowledgements
The Fédération Internationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils (FIDIC) extends special
thanks to its Contracts Committee: Michael Mortimer-Hawkins (Chairman),
Consulting Engineer, UK; Axel-Volkmar Jaeger, Schmidt Reuter Partner,
Germany; Christopher Wade, SWECO-VBB, Sweden, Peter L Booen (Principal
Drafter), GIBB Ltd, UK; with Special Advisers (and former Chairman of the
Contracts Committee), John B Bowcock, Consulting Engineer, UK, and K B
(Tony) Norris, Consulting Engineer, UK, and Legal Adviser Christopher R
Seppala, White & Case, France.
The Contracts Committee, and FIDIC, would like to especially acknowledge the
extraordinary effort of Peter L Booen, the Principal Drafter of the Guide, as well as being
the Principal Drafter of the 1995 Conditions of Contract for Design-Build and Turnkey
(informally titled “The Orange Book”), the “Orange Book Guide”, and the three “major
New Books” of 1999, Conditions of Contract for Construction, Conditions of Contract
for Plant and Design-Build and Conditions of Contract for EPC/Turnkey Projects. The
prodigious effort offered by Peter Booen to FIDIC, and to the the Consulting Engineering
Industry, by these principal draftsman tasks, is impossible to evaluate, but is extremely
high. Peter shares, with his colleagues on the Task Groups and Contracts Committee,
the gratitude of FIDIC, for these Task Group efforts. Members of the above Contracts
Committee and Advisers, however, wish to acknowledge the nearly “single handed”
effort of Peter Booen in drafting this FIDIC Contracts Guide, which was reviewed and
commented upon by them all.
About the Principal Drafter
Peter L Booen FICE FCIArb is a civil engineer who started his career with a contractor
(1965-72) before joining Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners (later GIBB Ltd) consulting
engineers, UK. He has written and administered many engineering and construction
contracts, both nationally and internationally, including those involving financial
institutions. He has acted as adjudicator, conciliator, expert witness, and on dispute
boards. He has been actively involved in FIDIC since 1993, as principal drafter of the
Orange Book and its Guide, and the three major 1999 Books (Construction, Plant and
Design-Build and EPC/Turnkey). He is a member of FIDIC's Contracts Committee and
Chair of FIDIC’s Assessment Panel for Adjudicators.
© FIDIC 2000

© FIDIC 2000
Contents
Foreword and Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introduction to the Use of FIDIC's Conditions of Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Project Procurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Procurement Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Example Forms for the Letter of Invitation and Instructions to Tenderers . . . 21
Clause 1 General Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Clause 2 The Employer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Clause 3 CONS/P&DB: The Engineer;
EPCT: The Employer's Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Clause 4 The Contractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Clause 5 CONS: Nominated Subcontractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Clause 5 P&DB/EPCT: Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Clause 6 Staff and Labour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Clause 7 Plant, Materials and Workmanship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Clause 8 Commencement, Delays and Suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Clause 9 Tests on Completion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Clause 10 Employer's Taking Over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Clause 11 Defects Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Clause 12 CONS: Measurement and Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Clause 12 P&DB/EPCT: Tests after Completion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Clause 13 Variations and Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Clause 14 Contract Price and Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Clause 15 Termination by Employer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Clause 16 Suspension and Termination by Contractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Clause 17 Risk and Responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Clause 18 Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Clause 19 Force Majeure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Clause 20 Claims, Disputes and Arbitration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Appendix General Conditions of Dispute Adjudication Agreement . . . . . 318
Glossary of Contract Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Index of Sub-Clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

© FIDIC 2000
Foreword and Abbreviations
In 1999, Fédération Internationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils (“FIDIC") published the
following four forms of contract, the first three of which are covered by this Guide and
referred to as "CONS", "P&DB" and "EPCT":
"CONS": Conditions of Contract for Construction,
which are recommended for building or engineering works designed by the
Employer or by his representative, the Engineer. Under the usual arrangements for
this type of contract, the Contractor constructs the works in accordance with a
design provided by the Employer. However, the works may include some elements
of Contractor-designed civil, mechanical, electrical and/or construction works.
"P&DB": Conditions of Contract for Plant and Design-Build,
which are recommended for the provision of electrical and/or mechanical plant,
and for the design and execution of building or engineering works. Under the
usual arrangements for this type of contract, the Contractor designs and
provides, in accordance with the Employer's requirements, plant and/or other
works; which may include any combination of civil, mechanical, electrical and/or
construction works.
"EPCT": Conditions of Contract for EPC/Turnkey Projects,
which are recommended for the provision on a turnkey basis of a process or
power plant, and which may also be used where one entity takes total
responsibility for the design and execution of a privately financed infrastructure
project which involves little or no work underground. Under the usual
arrangements for this type of contract, the entity carries out all the Engineering,
Procurement and Construction ("EPC"): providing a fully-equipped facility, ready
for operation (at the "turn of the key").
Short Form of Contract,
which is recommended for relatively simple or repetitive work, or for work of short
duration or of small capital value. The Short Form of Contract is not covered
by this Guide.
In this Guide to the use of CONS, P&DB and EPCT, the word "Books" (with capital letter)
is used when referring to the three publications: CONS, P&DB and EPCT. These Books
were initially published as Test Editions in 1998, and the many reactions to them were
reviewed before the First Editions were published in 1999.
These three Books were prepared by FIDIC's Update Task Group comprising:
Christopher Wade (Group Leader), SWECO-VBB, Sweden; Peter L Booen (Principal
Drafter), GIBB Ltd, UK; Hermann Bayerlein, Fichtner, Germany; Christopher R Seppala
(Legal Adviser), White & Case, France; and José F Speziale, IATASA, Argentina. These
publications were prepared under the general direction of the Contracts Committee,
which then comprised John B Bowcock, Consulting Engineer, UK; Michael Mortimer-
Hawkins, SwedPower, Sweden; and Axel-Volkmar Jaeger, Schmidt Reuter Partner,
Germany; together with K B (Tony) Norris as Special Adviser.
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This Guide was written by Peter L Booen and reviewed by the Contracts Committee
which now comprises Michael Mortimer-Hawkins (Chairman), Christopher Wade, Axel-
Volkmar Jaeger and Peter L Booen; together with John B Bowcock as Special Adviser
and Christopher R Seppala as Legal Adviser. The commentary on Clause 18 was also
reviewed by Mark Griffiths, Griffiths & Armour, UK.
FIDIC wishes to record its appreciation of the time and effort devoted by all the above.
Each of the three Books is in three parts:
- General Conditions, the part which is intended to be incorporated (by reference) into
each contract, and whose Sub-Clauses are often referred to in this Guide without the
use of the word "Sub-Clause" (for example: "CONS 1.1");
- Guidance for the Preparation of the Particular Conditions, the part which is referred
to in this Guide as "GPPC", which commences by proposing suitable wording to
incorporate the appropriate General Conditions into a contract, and which concludes
with annexed example forms of securities; and
- Forms of Letter of Tender, Contract Agreement and Dispute Adjudication Agreement,
the part which is referred to in this Guide as "the Example Form(s)".
In this Guide, the texts in the Books are reproduced in a three-column layout. The texts
should be identical to the corresponding texts in the Books, but the reader should refer
to the Books in order to determine the necessary authentic wording in case of any
discrepancy.
For the convenience of those who are familiar with the General Conditions of Contract
contained in FIDIC's previous publications, the reference numbers of their sub-clauses
which cover similar subject-matter are included within an insert box after these three-
column texts reproduced from the Books, the sub-clause reference numbers being
related to:
- "RB": Conditions of Contract for Works of Civil Engineering Construction 4th edition
1987 amended 1992 (which was commonly referred to as the Red Book)
- "YB": Conditions of Contract for Electrical and Mechanical Works 3rd edition 1987
amended 1988 (which was commonly referred to as the Yellow Book)
- "OB": Conditions of Contract for Design-Build and Turnkey 1st edition 1995 (which
was commonly referred to as the Orange Book).
In each Contract, the Conditions of Contract governing the rights and obligations of the
parties will comprise the appropriate General Conditions together with Particular
Conditions. It will be necessary to prepare the Particular Conditions for each individual
contract, taking account of the comments in this Guide and the appropriate GPPC. It is
essential that all these drafting tasks, and the entire preparation of the tender
documents, are entrusted to personnel with the relevant expertise, including the
contractual, technical and procurement aspects.
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3
Although this Guide may include useful material for the training of personnel in
procurement, it is not intended to provide complete training material for the expertise
required for the preparation of tender documents. The comments in this Guide are
intended to assist users of the Books who have such expertise, such users being those
who write or administer building and/or engineering contracts.
The comments in this Guide are not exhaustive and are only intended to provide general
guidance. They should not be relied upon in a specific issue or situation. Expert legal
advice should be obtained whenever appropriate, and particularly before entering into or
terminating a contract. Neither FIDIC nor the persons named in this Guide accept any
responsibility or liability arising from any use of this Guide or of any other publication
named herein.
FIDIC receives requests from time to time to assist in the interpretation of individual
contracts which are based upon conditions of contract incorporating FIDIC publications.
However, as the international federation of consulting engineers, FIDIC cannot undertake
to give legal advice. For this reason, and because the legal interpretation of a contract
will depend upon such matters as the precise wording of the various documents
comprising the particular contract, as well as upon the governing law, FIDIC cannot
assist in the interpretation of individual contracts.

© FIDIC 2000
© FIDIC 2000
4
CONS: Conditions of Contract
for Construction
Recommended for building and
engineering works if most (or all) of
the works are to be designed by
(or on behalf of) the Employer.
The Contract typically becomes
legally effective when the Employer
issues the Letter of Acceptance to
the Contractor.
Alternatively, there may be no such
Letter, and the Contract becomes
effective in accordance with the
Contract Agreement.
The Contract is administered by the
Engineer who is appointed by the
Employer. If disputes arise, they are
referred to a DAB for its decisions.
Alternatively, Particular Conditions
may specify Engineer's decisions
on disputes, in lieu of a DAB.
The Contractor designs (but only to
the extent specified) and executes
the works in accordance with the
Contract (which includes the
Specification and Drawings) and
the Engineer's instructions.
Interim and final payments are
certified by the Engineer, typically
determined by measurement of the
actual quantities of the works and
applying the rates and prices in the
Bill of Quantities or other
Schedules.
Other valuation principles can be
specified in Particular Conditions.
The General Conditions allocate the
risks between the parties on a fair
and equitable basis: taking account
of such matters as insurability,
sound principles of project
management, and each party's
ability to foresee, and mitigate the
effect of, the circumstances
relevant to each risk.
EPCT: Conditions of Contract for
EPC/Turnkey Projects
Suitable for a process or power
plant, a factory or similar facility, or an
infrastructure project or other type of
development, if (i) a higher degree of
certainty of final price and time is
required, and (ii) the Contractor
takes total responsibility for the
design and execution of the project.
legally effective in accordance with
the Contract Agreement.
The Letter of Tender may be
worded so as to allow for the
alternative of the Contract becoming
effective when the Employer issues
a Letter of Acceptance.
The Contract is administered by
the Employer (unless he appoints
an Employer's Representative) who
endeavours to reach agreement
with the Contractor on each claim.
If disputes arise, they are referred
to a DAB for its decisions.
The Contractor provides plant, and
designs and executes the other
works, ready for operation in
accordance with the Contract,
which includes his Tender and the
Employer's Requirements.
made without any certification:
typically determined by reference to
a Schedule of Payments.
The alternative of measurement of
the actual quantities of the works
and applying the rates and prices
in a Schedule of Prices can be
Disproportionately more risks are
allocated to the Contractor under the
General Conditions. Tenderers will
require more data on hydrological,
sub-surface and other conditions on
the Site, to the extent that this data is
relevant to the particular type of
works, and more time to review the
data and evaluate such risks.
P&DB: Conditions of Contract for
Plant and Design-Build
Recommended for the provision of
electrical and/or mechanical plant
and for building and engineering
works if most (or all) of the works
are to be designed by (or on behalf
of) the Contractor.
legally effective when the Employer
issues the Letter of Acceptance to
the Contractor.
Alternatively, there may be no such
Letter, and the Contract becomes
effective in accordance with the
Contract Agreement.
The Contract is administered by the
Engineer who is appointed by the
Employer. If disputes arise, they are
referred to a DAB for its decisions.
Alternatively, Particular Conditions
may specify Engineer's decisions
on disputes, in lieu of a DAB.
The Contractor provides plant, and
designs (except as specified) and
executes the other works, all in
which includes his Proposal and
the Employer's Requirements.
certified by the Engineer, typically
determined by reference to a
Schedule of Payments.
The alternative of measurement of
the actual quantities of the works
and applying the rates and prices
in a Schedule of Prices can be
The General Conditions allocate the
risks between the parties on a fair
and equitable basis: taking account
of such matters as insurability,
sound principles of project
management, and each party's
ability to foresee, and mitigate the
effect of, the circumstances
relevant to each risk.
Comparison of the main features of the three Books

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5
Standardisation, both in technical and administrative matters, is desirable for the
satisfactory execution of many types of commercial projects. Major projects, whether
they are predominantly building, civil engineering, chemical engineering, electrical
engineering, mechanical engineering, or any combination, are frequently complex. With
the resulting increased complexity of contract conditions, it is becoming increasingly
important for them to be based upon a standardised form of contract with which the
contracting parties and financial institutions are familiar.
In the majority of cases, the contracting parties will react favourably to such a
standardised form of contract, which should lessen the likelihood of unsatisfactory
performance, increased costs and disputes. If the contract is to be based on standard
conditions of contract, tenderers should not need to make financial provision for
unfamiliar contract conditions. The widespread use of standard conditions also
facilitates the training of personnel in contract management, reducing the need for them
having to work with ever-changing contract conditions.
The object of this Guide is to assist personnel involved in contracts based upon any of
FIDIC's three Books:
- Conditions of Contract for Construction, which are recommended for building or
engineering works designed by the Employer or by his representative, the Engineer.
However, the works may include some elements of Contractor-designed civil,
mechanical, electrical and/or construction works.
- Conditions of Contract for Plant and Design-Build, which are recommended for the
provision of electrical and/or mechanical plant, and for building or engineering works
designed by the Contractor.
- Conditions of Contract for EPC/Turnkey Projects, which may be suitable, where (i) a
higher degree of certainty of final price and time is required, and (ii) the Contractor
takes total responsibility for the design and execution of the project, with little
involvement of the Employer.
These Books were prepared as a "matching set", with each topic being covered in
similarly-worded provisions in each Book except where otherwise necessary. However,
adoption of similarly-worded provisions may occasionally be considered to have resulted
in the inclusion of a provision which is only applicable in a few of the contracts for which
the Book will be appropriate.
The Books are all intended to be flexible in use, recognising the wide variety of users'
requirements. Where a sub-clause deals with a matter on which different contract terms
are likely to be applicable for different contracts, the sub-clause was drafted in
anticipation of alternative possibilities: including it not being required, or it being
amended in Particular Conditions.
Introduction
to the use of FIDIC’s Conditions of Contract

© FIDIC 2000
These aspects are clarified in the Guide for each Sub-Clause, so as to assist in the
preparation of tender documents. When preparing the Conditions of Contract for issue
to tenderers, users should review the GPPC (and, for CONS or P&DB, the Example Form
of Appendix to Tender) and then review the General Conditions and this Guide in order
to assess whether each provision is consistent with the requirements for the particular
contract.
Selection of the appropriate Book is critical to the success of a project. Their main
features are summarised in the Table above, from which it should be clear that the
appropriate Book cannot be selected until certain decisions have been made on project
procurement aspects. These decisions may be illustrated by the following general
guidance on the selection of the appropriate Book.
A relatively small value contract, short construction time or involving simple or
repetitive work
If the price for the contract is relatively small (say under US$ 500 000) or the
construction time is short (say less than 6 months), or the work involved is relatively
simple or repetitive (dredging work might be a good example), then consider using
the Short Form of Contract, irrespective of whether the design is provided by the
Employer or the Contractor, and of whether the project involves construction,
electrical, mechanical, or other engineering work.
Larger or more complex projects
1. Is the Employer (or the Engineer) going to do most of the design?
- As in traditional projects (e.g., infrastructure, buildings, hydropower, etc.), the
Employer did nearly all the design (perhaps not construction details,
reinforcement, etc.),
- and the Engineer administered the Contract, monitored the construction work
and certified payment,
- and the Employer was kept fully informed, could make variations, etc.,
- and with payment according to bills of quantities or lump sums for approved work
done.
If this is what is wanted - choose CONS.
2. Is the Contractor going to do most of the design?
- As in traditional projects (e.g., electrical and mechanical works, including erection
on site), the Contractor did the majority of the design (e.g., the detail design of the
plant or equipment), so that the plant met the outline or performance specification
prepared by the Employer, and in design-build and turnkey-type projects, the
Contractor also did the majority of the design (not only of plant projects, but also
of various infrastructure and other types of projects), and the project was required
to fulfil an outline or performance specification prepared by the Employer,
- and the Engineer (or Employer's representative) administered the Contract,
monitored the manufacture and erection on site or construction work and certified
payment,
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- and with payment according to achieved milestones generally on a lump sum
basis.
If this is what is wanted - choose P&DB.
3. Is it a Privately Financed (or Public/Private Financed) Project, of the Build-
Operate-Transfer or similar type, where the Concessionaire takes total responsibility
for the financing, construction and operation of the Project?
- Then the Concessionaire (the "Employer") probably requires to have a contract
with the construction Contractor, i.e., an EPC (Engineer, Procure, Construct)
Contract, where the Contractor takes total responsibility for the design and
construction of the infrastructure or other facility, and where there is a higher
degree of certainty that the agreed contract price and time will not be
exceeded,
- and the Employer does not wish to be involved in the day-to-day progress of
the work, provided the end result meets the performance criteria he has
specified,
- and the parties concerned (e.g., sponsors, lenders and the Employer) are willing
to see the Contractor paid more for the construction of the Project in return for
the Contractor bearing the extra risks associated with enhanced certainty of final
price and time.
If this is what is wanted - choose EPCT.
4. Is it a Process Plant or a Power Plant (or a factory or similar) where the Employer
(who provides the finance) wishes to implement the Project on a Fixed-Price Turnkey
Basis?
- Then the Employer wishes the Contractor to take total responsibility for the design
and construction of the process or power facility and hand it over ready to operate
"at the turn of a key",
- and the Employer wishes a higher degree of certainty that the agreed contract
price and time will not be exceeded,
- and the Employer wishes the Project to be organised on a strictly two party
approach, i.e., without an "Engineer" being involved,
- and the Employer does not wish to be involved in the day-to-day progress of the
work, provided the end result meets the performance criteria he has specified,
- and the Employer is willing to pay more for the construction of his Project (than
would be the case if P&DB were used) in return for the Contractor bearing the
extra risks associated with enhanced certainty of final price and time.
5. Is it an Infrastructure Project (e.g., road, rail link, bridge, water or sewage treatment
plant, transmission line, even dam or hydropower plant) or similar where the
Employer (who provides the finance) wishes to implement the Project on a Fixed-
Price Turnkey Basis?
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- Then the Employer wishes the Contractor to take total responsibility for design
and construction,
- and the Employer wishes a higher degree of certainty that the agreed contract
price and time will not be exceeded (except that, if underground works in
uncertain or difficult ground conditions are likely, the risk of unforeseen ground
conditions should be borne by the Employer and P&DB 4.12 would be
appropriate),
approach, i.e. without an "Engineer" being involved,
work, provided the end result meets the performance criteria he has specified,
6. Is it a Building Project where the Employer wishes to have his building(s)
constructed on a Fixed-Price Turnkey Basis generally complete with all furniture,
fittings and equipment?
- Then the Employer wishes the Contractor to take total responsibility for design
and construction,
- and the Employer wishes a high degree of certainty that the agreed contract price
and time will not be exceeded,
approach, i.e. without an Employer's Engineer or Architect being involved,
construction work, provided the end result meets the performance criteria he has
specified,
If this is what is wanted - choose EPCT. In the case of a building, or of a building
development project, the Employer or his architect may have done some or most
of the design, but (with suitable modification regarding design responsibility) EPCT
may be used.
Is it a reconstruction or refurbishment or other type of Project?
Check the above questions, as applicable, and make your choice accordingly.
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9
Project Procurement
At the inception stage of a project, procurement options should be reviewed and a
decision made as to the most appropriate option. This stage in the procurement of each
project should include the determination of the appropriate procurement strategy, with
decisions being reached on the following matters:
- the works to be executed under each contract (often called "contract packaging");
and, for each contract
- the extent of design to be provided to, or to be carried out by, the contractor, and
- lump-sum, measure-and-value, cost-plus or other basis for determining the final
contract price.
For a large project, decisions on the number and scope of contracts may be critical to
the eventual success of the project. Having a large number of contracts may give the
Employer more control than under a single contract for the entire project, and may be
more economic by maximising competitive pricing. However, these advantages may be
offset by a greater extent of co-ordination risk borne by the Employer.
For each contract, the party responsible for the design will develop it during the detailed
design stage. If the design is carried out by (or on behalf of) the Employer, he will have
a greater control over the details. However, problems may on occasions arise from the
division of responsibility between designer and constructor.
If the constructor (the Contractor) is responsible for the design, he will wish to develop it
in his own interests, subject to any constraints in the Contract. The Employer will have
less control over the design than he would have if he was responsible for providing it.
Under Contractor-design, the contract price would typically have been tendered on a
lump-sum basis, so any change in cost (increase or decrease) to the Contractor,
resulting from design development, would not be passed on to the Employer.
Design by (or on behalf of) the Employer
Under CONS, design is the responsibility of the Employer, except to the extent that
Contractor-design is specified in the Contract. The Specification must therefore clearly
state which (if any) parts of the Works shall be designed by the Contractor, and should
also specify the appropriate criteria with which these parts shall comply. If most of the
Works are to be designed by the Contractor, CONS would usually be considered
inappropriate.
CONS' Clause 12 sets out the measure-and-value basis for determining the contract
price, providing a convenient mechanism for valuing the many variations typically
instructed under Employer-design. CONS' GPPC includes example text for the
alternative option of lump-sum pricing, but this arrangement typically necessitates
completion of design before tenders are invited and may give rise to problems evaluating

© FIDIC 2000
variations. Alternatively, CONS may be used with Particular Conditions invoking a cost-
plus basis for determining the contract price, for use when all cost risk is to be borne by
the Employer (for urgent works or works of uncertain scope, for example).
Design by the Contractor (the constructor)
Under P&DB or EPCT, design is the responsibility of the Contractor. He will wish to
economise, in terms of his costs, which may be at the expense of quality. Therefore, it
is considered essential that the Employer has (or procures) expert technical services, in
order to ensure that his requirements are elaborated in the tender documents and are
achieved in practice. If expertise is unavailable, problems may arise, particularly in
respect of the need for variations.
Under a contract for Contractor-design:
- variations should be instructed as varied requirements with which the Contractor's
design must comply, and not as a varied design instructed by (or on behalf of) the
Employer, and
- the costs and other consequences of variations should be agreed in advance, so as
to minimise disputes.
In practice, these aspects can make Contractor-design appear somewhat inflexible.
Contractor-design is typically less amenable to variations initiated by the Employer,
compared with CONS' Employer-design where the designer is independent of the
Contractor.
Although Contractor-design prevents the Employer from having a close involvement in
the design process, it does enable him to have the benefits of (i) lump-sum pricing,
(ii) the Contractor's undivided liability for the works (including design), and (iii) the
potential savings (in cost and time) due to a degree of overlap of design and
construction.
This overlap of design and construction may (or may not) lessen the total period between
the commencement of the preparation of tender documents and the completion of
construction, because the saving may be offset by the lack of continuity of the design
processes during the pre-contract stages. Under CONS' Employer-design, design
development should continue uninterrupted.
Procurement Decisions
As previously stated, procurement should commence with strategic decisions on
contract packaging and, for each contract, on the allocation of design responsibility and
on the basis for determining the contract price. It is only after these above matters have
been considered and decisions reached, that a decision should be made on the
appropriate General Conditions to be incorporated into the particular Contract. There
remains a possibility that, in borderline cases, the selection of the appropriate Book at
this stage may be provisional and may need to be reviewed subsequently. For example,
if a contract was to require the Contractor to design two-thirds of the works, it might be
difficult to decide whether to use CONS or P&DB. It might even be necessary to draft
two alternative sets of Particular Conditions, one for CONS and the other for P&DB, and
only then decide which set to adopt.
10

© FIDIC 2000
If the result of the above analysis is a decision to procure the works on the basis of
Employer-design, CONS provides an internationally acceptable basis for the tender
documents. CONS may be used for a wholly Employer-design contract, whether for a
wholly civil engineering project or for the civil engineering part of a multi-contract project,
although the latter type of project may give rise to significant co-ordination problems.
CONS may be equally suitable for a multi-disciplinary contract, if most of the design is
to be carried out by (or on behalf of) the Employer. CONS includes some of the
provisions relating to Contractor-design, and other such provisions can readily be
included in the Particular Conditions and/or the Specification.
If the result of the above analysis is a decision to procure the works on the basis of
Contractor-design, either P&DB or EPCT may be used; whether for the procurement of
individual items of plant, individual structures, and/or complete facilities including those
under turnkey contracts. Turnkey contracts include most or all of the fixtures, fittings and
equipment (f.f.e.) required for the provision of a fully-equipped-facility, ready for operation
(at the "turn of the key"). It is possible to use either Book for a plant, design-build or
turnkey contract. The particular features of the actual project may have a major effect on
the choice of Book, and on the drafting of the Particular Conditions and the other tender
documents. The choice of Book for Contractor-designed Works may depend upon the
availability of (i) the more detailed data required for an EPCT contract, and/or (ii) the
time necessary to acquire such data.
Tenderers Need Data to Assess Risks
Tenderers for a construction contract need to study hydrological and sub-surface
data, to the extent that this data is relevant to the particular type of works, in order to
plan and estimate the costs of the excavation and other works. Under CONS, this is
the primary use of this data, which the Employer makes available under Sub-Clause
4.10.
Under a P&DB or EPCT contract, and also in the case of a CONS contract which
includes a significant element of Contractor-design, tenderers will require additional data
on hydrological, sub-surface and other conditions on the Site (again, to the extent that
this data is relevant) in order to design and determine the details of the works for which
costs are to be estimated. Tenderers for Contractor-design works require as much data
as that required by the Employer's designer under CONS. They may require more data,
because the Employer's designer would co-ordinate the pre-tender sub-surface
investigations to suit his preferred location of each pier of a multi-span bridge, for
example. In contrast, when the Employer arranges for pre-tender investigations in order
to obtain the data needed by the tenderers' designers, he may find it difficult to
anticipate their preferred locations.
Tenderers require considerable data for the preparation of tenders for an EPCT contract,
under which the Contractor assumes much greater risks than under a CONS or P&DB
contract. Since, for example, the risk of sub-surface conditions is allocated to the
Contractor, each tenderer needs to assess how adverse the actual conditions may be,
both in terms of working in these conditions and in terms of their effect on the design of
the works. If the risk of sub-surface conditions is significant, taking account of the type
of works, it may be in the Employer's interests for the contract to allocate this risk to the
Employer, either by amending EPCT 4.12 or by using P&DB.
Similarly, if other EPCT-only risks are significant, the Employer should carefully consider
the consequences of allocating them to the Contractor. FIDIC's publication of EPCT
11

© FIDIC 2000
does not constitute any indication of its suitability for a particular set of circumstances.
P&DB's fairer allocation of risks may yield a better probability for success.
Conversely, less risk entails less need for pre-contract data. For example, under a
contract for the supply of an item of plant, the supplier may not need data which has no
effect on the item's design. He may need to have details of the environmental and other
conditions in which the plant will be required to operate, but would not normally be
interested in knowing the depth of bedrock around the site.
Conclusions
The above commentary indicates the importance of selecting the appropriate
procurement strategy, and of then selecting the appropriate FIDIC Book, taking account
of the need to ensure that tenderers are provided with the data necessary for tendering.
Selection of the appropriate Book requires important decisions to be made on
procurement strategy, and there are two Books for Contractor-design: P&DB and EPCT.
Although FIDIC cannot prevent EPCT being used in circumstances for which it is
inappropriate, FIDIC considers that EPCT should not be used (and that P&DB may be
preferable) in the following circumstances:
- If there is insufficient time, or insufficient information, for tenderers to scrutinise and
check the Employer's Requirements or for them to carry out their designs, risk
assessment studies and estimating. Tenderers need to take particular account of
EPCT 4.12 (under which the Contractor is responsible for the consequences of
encountering unforeseeable ground conditions) and EPCT 5.1 (under which the
Contractor is responsible for certain aspects of the Employer's Requirements, such
as the applicability of ISO standards). Therefore, tenderers need information on the
matters related to such risks and they need time to assess it and to evaluate all risks.
- If construction will involve substantial work underground or work in other areas which
tenderers cannot inspect. For these types of works, the risks of encountering
unforeseen conditions may be so great that the lowest tender is the one submitted
by the least knowledgeable tenderer or most reckless gambler, rather than the best
tenderer.
- If the Employer intends to supervise closely or control the Contractor's work, or to
review most of the construction drawings. With the greater extent of Contractor's
risks, he needs to have greater freedom of action and less interference by the
Employer.
- If the amount of each interim payment is to be determined by an official or other
intermediary. EPCT does not provide for an "Engineer" to administer the Contract and
determine the amount of each monthly (or other) interim payment. Therefore,
payments should be pre-determined and defined in a Schedule of Payments.
Tender documents must be drafted with care, particularly in respect of quality, tests and
performance criteria for Contractor-design contracts. If tender documents are deficient,
the Employer may pay an exorbitant price for unacceptable works. He must therefore
ensure that adequate resources are allocated to the skilled tasks of drafting the technical
and commercial aspects of the tender documents, and of analysing the tenderers'
proposals.
12

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13
Recommended Procedures
The following diagrams illustrate FIDIC's recommended procedures for:
- prequalification, for which FIDIC has published "Standard prequalification forms for
contractors",
- obtaining Tenders for a CONS Contract (taking account of its principles), and
- opening and evaluating such Tenders, and entering into the Contract.
Under P&DB or EPCT, the documents issued for the purposes of obtaining Tenders have
different titles and purposes, compared with those required for a CONS Contract, and
tendering procedures should take account of the greater extent of the Contractor's
obligations and liabilities under a P&DB or EPCT Contract.

© FIDIC 2000
1.0
ESTABLISHMENT OF PROJECT
STRATEGY
ESTABLISH PROJECT STRATEGY
COMPRISING.
- procurement method
- form of tendering
- time schedules
14
Recommended Procedure for the Prequalification of Tenderers
SECTION EMPLOYER /ENGINEER CONTRACTORS
2.1
PREPARATION OF
PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS
PREPARE PREQUALIFICATION
DOCUMENTS COMPRISING:
- letter of invitation
- information about prequalification
procedure
- project information
- prequalification application
2.2
INVITATION TO PREQUALIFY
PLACE PREQUALIFICATION
ADVERTISEMENT IN PRESS, EMBASSIES
ETC. AS APPROPRIATE STATING:
- Employer & Engineer
- outline of project (scope, location,
programme, source of finance)
- dates for issue of tender documents
& submission of tenders
- instructions for applying for
prequalification
- minimum requirements for
prequalification
- submission date for contractors’
prequalification data
2.3
ISSUE & SUBMISSION OF
PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS
ISSUE PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENT
& QUESTIONNAIRES REQUESTING
FROM EACH COMPANY/JOINT VENTURE
- organization and structure
- experience in the type of intended
work and in the region
- resources
- managerial
- technical
- labour
- plant
- financial statements
- current contract commitments
- litigation history
- ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT
REQUEST PREQUALIFICATION
DOCUMENTS
COMPLETE & SUBMIT
PREQUALIFICATION
DOCUMENTS & QUESTIONNAIRES
2.4
ANALYSIS OF PREQUALIFICATION
APPLICATIONS
ANALYSE PREQUALIFICATION DATA:
- company/joint-venture structure
- experience
- resources
- financial capability
- general suitability
2.5
SELECTION OF TENDERERS
PREPARE LIST OF TENDERERS
2.6
NOTIFICATION OF APPLICANTS
NOTIFY ALL SELECTED TENDERERS ACKNOWLEDGE & CONFIRM
INTENTION TO SUBMIT TENDER

© FIDIC 2000
15
Recommended Procedure for Obtaining Tenders under CONS
3.1
PREPARATION OF TENDER
DOCUMENTS
PREPARE TENDER DOCUMENTS
- Letter of Invitation to Tender
- Instructions to Tenderers
- Conditions of Contract
- Letter of Tender
- Drawings
- Bill of Quantities
- Schedule of Additional Information
- Information Data
SECTION EMPLOYER /ENGINEER TENDERERS
3.2
ISSUE OF TENDER DOCUMENTS
ISSUE TENDER DOCUMENTS TO
CONTRACTORS ON LIST OF
TENDERERS
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT
3.3
VISIT TO SITE BY TENDERERS
ARRANGE DATE AND TIME FOR
VISIT TO SITE
APPLY FOR VISIT TO SITE IF
REQUIRED
3.4
TENDERERS’ QUERIES
A) CORRESPONDENCE METHOD
B) TENDERERS’ CONFERENCE
METHOD
A) PREPARE REPLIES
SUBMIT QUERIES IN WRITING BY
GIVEN DATE
3.5
ADDENDA TO TENDER
DOCUMENTS
ISSUE ADDENDA INCLUDING REPLIES
TO QUERIES TO ALL TENDERERS
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT
3.6
SUBMISSION AND RECEIPT OF
TENDERERS
RECORD DATE & TIME OF RECEIPT
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OR RETURN
UNOPENED TENDERS RECEIVED LATE
SUBMIT TENDERS
VISIT(S) TO SITE BY TENDERERS ACCOMPANIED BY EMPLOYER/ENGINEER
B) INFORM TENDERERS PRESENT OF QUERIES AND REPLIES SUBMITTED
IN WRITING
REPLIES TO QUERIES RAISED AT CONFERENCE
SEND MINUTES TO ALL
TENDERERS
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT

© FIDIC 2000
16
Recommended Procedure for Opening and Evaluating Tenders
4.1
OPENING OF TENDERS
TENDER OPENING BY PUBLIC OR
RESTRICTED OPENING
- announce and record the names of
Tenderers and Prices, including Prices
for alternative Tenders if appropriate
- announce and record names of
Tenderers (if any) disqualified due to
late or non-arrival of Tenders
ATTEND PUBLIC/RESTRICTED
OPENING IF DESIRED
SECTION EMPLOYER /ENGINEER TENDERERS/CONTRACTOR
5.1
REVIEW OF TENDERS
ESTABLISH CONFORMITY AND
COMPLETENESS OF TENDERS
- reject substantially unresponsive
Tenders
5.2
TENDERS CONTAINING
DEVIATIONS
EVALUATE DEVIATIONS, SEEK
CLARIFICATION AND RANK TENDERS
AS EVALUATED
PROVIDE CLARIFICATION
5.3
ADJUDICATION OF ALL TENDERS
ASSESS TENDERS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH EVALUATION CRITERIA
RAISE FURTHER POINTS REQUIRING
CLARIFICATION, IF ANY
COMPLETE EVALUATION
CHECK WITH FUNDING AGENCY
REJECT NON CONFORMING TENDERS
& ADVISE TENDERER(S) CONCERNED
PROVIDE CLARIFICATION
6.0
AWARD OF CONTRACT
DECIDE ON CONTRACT AWARD, IF
NECESSARY AFTER PRE-AWARD
DISCUSSIONS
ATTEND PRE-AWARD DISCUSSIONS,
IF REQUIRED
6.1
ISSUE LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE
ISSUE LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT
6.2
PERFORMANCE SECURITY
RECEIVE PERFORMANCE SECURITY
FROM CONTRACTOR
PROVIDE PERFORMANCE
SECURITY
6.3
PREPARATION OF CONTRACT
AGREEMENT
PREPARE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS
SIGNING OF CONTRACT
SIGNING OF CONTRACT
6.4
NOTIFICATION OF
UNSUCCESSFUL TENDERERS
ADVISE UNSUCCESSFUL TENDERERS
AND RETURN TENDER SECURITY (IF
PROVIDED)
UNSUCCESSFUL TENDERERS
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT
The above procedures for obtaining, opening and evaluating tenders relate to a CONS contract. Under P&DB and
EPCT, tenderers submit details of the design proposals, to the extent described in the Instructions to Tenderers,
and the adjudication of the tenders includes examination and assessment of these proposals.

© FIDIC 2000
17
Procurement Documentation
Prequalification Documentation
Experience has shown that, particularly for contracts which include Contractor-design,
prequalification of tenderers is particularly desirable. It enables the Employer to establish
the competence of a known number of companies and joint ventures who are
subsequently invited to tender. Restricting tendering to a pre-determined number
encourages the better qualified entities to tender in the knowledge that they have a
reasonable chance of success.
Procedures for the prequalification of prospective tenderers may be imposed by the
applicable laws, or by the requirements of the financial institutions who will be providing
funds for the project. In particular, they may not permit any limit on the number of
prequalified tenderers.
Typically, the Employer initiates the prequalification stage of the project, by publishing
advertisements which either (i) contain all the necessary information on the project and
on how applicants should apply for prequalification, or (ii) describe how to obtain a
document which contains all this prequalification information and which should include:
- information on the prequalification procedure, including qualification criteria and any
relevant policies which the Employer may have (on joint ventures, on the intended
number of prequalified tenderers, and/or on preference for local firms, for example);
- instructions on the language and content of each application for prequalification
(completion of FIDIC's "Standard prequalification forms for contractors", for example)
and on the time and place for its submission; and
- information on the contract (and on the project of which it forms part, if any), including
the names of the Employer and the Engineer or Employer's Representative, location
of site, description of works, anticipated time programme, contract law and
language, form of contract (i.e., name of FIDIC's Book), source of finance, currencies
of payment, and any unusual features or constraints.
Other information on the contract may also be included, such as the Employer's
intentions regarding securities and price escalation provisions. However, the Employer
may not have reached decisions on these matters before inviting applications for
prequalification. Primarily, prospective applicants need sufficient information to assess
their interest in submitting tenders. They do not need to assess various other matters
which only become relevant when they receive all the tender documents.
When invited to tender, each tenderer may be able to discover the number (and,
possibly, abilities) of the competing tenderers. If so, he may compare the benefits of
being awarded the contract with his estimated tendering costs and chance of success.
These costs may be substantial for Contractor-designed Works, particularly if the
Employer requests tenderers to submit extensive details of their designs.

© FIDIC 2000
The Employer should therefore, in his own interests and unless he is not permitted to do
so, limit both the number of prequalified tenderers and the extent of the details which
they are required to submit with their tenders. The prequalification information should
ideally indicate the number of firms and joint ventures which are expected to be
prequalified. This number should be determined carefully, taking account of the
requirements of any financial institution providing funds for the project, and of the work
required for the preparation of a compliant tender. Whereas six to eight tenderers might
be appropriate for an uncomplicated CONS contract, four or five might be preferable for
Contractor-designed works, and three might suffice for complex turnkey works.
Having analysed the applications, the Employer should notify each applicant whether it
has been prequalified to tender for the Contract. Notice should be given as soon as the
Employer has reached his decision on the applications, and should not await the
completion or issue of the tender documents. If issue of the tender documents seems
likely to be delayed, the prequalified prospective tenderers should be notified
accordingly, so that they can plan the future activities of their estimating teams. Tenders
should not be invited until the Employer has obtained the necessary financing, or has
advised prospective tenderers of the financial situation so that they are aware of the
outstanding financing arrangements.
Tender Documentation
When tender documents have been prepared and financing arrangements have been
finalised, the Employer should write to each tenderer and invite him to submit a Tender.
An example form for this Letter of Invitation is proposed below, based upon the
assumptions that (i) each such Invitation would be issued direct by the Employer, (ii) he
has previously notified the recipient of his prequalification, and (iii) the tender documents
will soon be issued on the Employer's behalf. Amended wording would be required (for
example) if (i) the Invitation is itself issued on the Employer's behalf, (ii) it constitutes the
notification of prequalification, and/or (iii) the Employer requires other arrangements for
the delivery or purchase of the tender documents.
The example form for the Letter of Invitation is only a suggestion, and must be wholly
reviewed and amended so as to take account of the Employer's requirements and all
other relevant circumstances. It includes information which may not be available when
the tender documents were prepared, and which the example forms of Instructions
therefore refer to as being specified in the Invitation. The example form of Invitation
avoids repeating information contained in the tender documents, in order to avoid
inconsistencies.
The other documents issued to prospective tenderers will normally include the following:
(a) Instructions to Tenderers, including descriptions of the compliance criteria for tenders
and of the procedures for submitting and evaluating them, which become irrelevant
when the Employer accepts a Tender. Although (for convenience) the Instructions to
Tenderers may be bound into the first volume of the Tender Documents, they should
not form part of the final Contract, and should therefore not contain any text which
remains relevant after award of the Contract. The Instructions specify the procedures
to be followed until the Employer either enters into a Contract or advises tenderers
that the Employer does not intend to do so. Such procedures include, for example,
those for a joint site visit (if any) and for the preparation, submission, opening and
evaluation of Tenders. The Instructions should define what will comprise a responsive
Tender, requirements which are directed to the tenderers and are superseded by the
18

© FIDIC 2000
award of the Contract. The Instructions to Tenderers could be based upon FIDIC's
example form in this Guide. This example form is only a suggestion, and must be
wholly reviewed and amended so as to take account of the Employer's requirements
and all other relevant circumstances.
(b) Letter of Tender, which should be based upon the Example Form at the end of each
Book. For CONS and P&DB, an Appendix to Tender, which should take account of
the Book's GPPC and this Guide.
(c) For CONS and P&DB: Schedules (for CONS, the Bill of Quantities may be the only
Schedule).
(d) Conditions of Contract: which should comprise the wording proposed in the
Introduction of the appropriate GPPC, which incorporates (by reference) the chosen
Book's General Conditions, and Particular Conditions. When writing the Particular
Conditions for each contract, users should review the GPPC (and, for CONS or
P&DB, the Example Form of Appendix to Tender) and then review the General
Conditions and this Guide in order to assess whether each provision is applicable for
the particular contract. Project financial institution(s) may have particular preferences
and/or impose mandatory requirements. Where General Conditions need to be
changed, the amendments and additions must be contained in Particular Conditions,
not in amended and/or retyped General Conditions, so that tenderers can rapidly
identify any changes and assess their effects. The wording proposed in the
Introduction of each GPPC reads:
The Conditions of Contract comprise the "General Conditions", which form part of
the "Conditions of Contract for …" … published by the Fédération Internationale des
Ingénieurs-Conseils (FIDIC), and the following "Particular Conditions", which include
amendments and additions to such General Conditions.
(e) For CONS: Specification; and Drawings. For P&DB and EPCT: Employer's
Requirements, which may include some drawings.
(f) Information and data on hydrological and sub-surface conditions at the Site, studies
on environmental impact, and reports on any other investigations initiated by the
Employer. These would normally not form part of the Contract, but must be provided
to tenderers in accordance with Sub-Clause 4.10.
The documents mentioned in (b) to (e) will become parts of the Contract: see the
comments in this Guide on Sub-Clause 1.1.1.
When preparing the documents mentioned in (d) and (e), the comments in the
appropriate GPPC and in this Guide should be taken into account. As far as practicable,
the Contractor's obligations should be stated in clear unambiguous terms, and not in
such a way that the application of opinion or judgement is necessary. Vague phrases,
which tenderers would find difficult to understand to the precision necessary for pricing
(for example, specifying the use of "up-to-date technology"), should be avoided. If these
subjective phrases are used, Tenders may include detailed clarifications, which tenderers
will wish to ensure will be binding.
For Contractor-design, the Employer may wish to encourage the tenderer to propose
solutions complying with requirements which the Employer can only describe in
subjective terms. If the Employer wishes to include subjective requirements, they should
only be stated in the Instructions to Tenderers. Each tenderer can then propose solutions
19

© FIDIC 2000
as part of his Tender. It is then these solutions in the Tender which (unlike the subjective
requirement in the Instructions to Tenderers) will form part of the Contract.
Tendering Procedure
In order to manage tendering procedures effectively, it may be advisable for one person
to be appointed (by the Employer, Engineer or Employer's Representative) as tendering
co-ordinator, responsible for:
- despatching the tender documents to each prospective tenderer;
- ensuring that each tenderer has formally acknowledged receipt of the tender
documents;
- managing the site inspection, having ensured that tenderers have received details of
the arrangements: the tendering co-ordinator should prepare an agenda, appropriate
supplementary briefing information for the visitors, and a record of the visit;
- receiving and responding to queries from prospective tenderers, as follows:
(i) a question which could have been asked by any tenderer (for example, seeking
clarification of any aspect of the tender documents or of any arrangements on
site, a clarification which will apply whoever is awarded the contract) should be
answered as described in the Instructions, typically by the tendering co-ordinator
issuing Lists of Tenderers' Questions (with the Employer's answers) to all
tenderers;
(ii) a question which relates solely to the tenderer's particular proposals for carrying
out the contract (for example, regarding the acceptability in principle of a possible
alternative design) should be regarded as confidential and answered to the
enquiring tenderer only, the other tenderers not being advised;
(iii) if amendments need to be made to the Tender Documents, the tendering co-
ordinator should issue to prospective tenderers an Addendum to Tender
Documents, and ensure that each tenderer has formally acknowledged receipt.
Unsuccessful tenderers will retain the copyright of their designs. The Employer must
return their designs, without copies being retained and without releasing details to the
successful tenderer, the Contractor.
20

© FIDIC 2000
21
Example forms for the Letter of Invitation and Instructions to Tenderers are reproduced
hereafter, for use with any of the three Books. These example forms have been drafted
as suggested models, from which users may prepare their own documents, copying text
from the example forms as they consider appropriate. In particular, the example form of
Letter of Invitation assumes that the example form of Instructions to Tenderers is being
used.
However, many Employers, International Financial Institutions and other entities have
standard forms of Invitations and Instructions to Tenderers. Their standard forms may be
equally suitable for use with FIDIC's General Conditions, and may incorporate
requirements which are specific to the entity promulgating its standard form. Many such
entities mandate the use of their standard forms, in order to achieve compliance with
their specific requirements.
The following example forms are offered as suggestions for those who do not have such
standard forms, and for those who may wish to review and develop their own standard
forms whilst incorporating their specific requirements.
Example Forms
for the Letter of Invitation and Instructions to Tenderers

© FIDIC 2000
22
This example form is suggested for use when the Employer first writes to each
prospective tenderer, who may (or may not) have been prequalified, and (i) advises him
that he will soon receive a set of tender documents, and (ii) invites him to submit a
Tender. The example form lists the data which typically is unknown when the other
tender documents were completed, consistent with Clause 1 of the example form of
Instructions to Tenderers (see subsequent pages).
The example form below is therefore inappropriate if these assumptions do not apply, or
if the example form of Instructions to Tenderers (see subsequent pages) is not to be
used.
Example Form of Letter of Invitation to Tender
Letter of Invitation
We confirm having advised you that [OR: We are pleased to notify you that] you have
been prequalified [OR: you have been selected as a prospective tenderer] for the above
Contract.
The Government of … has received [OR: has applied for] a loan from the … towards the
cost of the above project. Part of the proceeds of this loan shall be used for the
payments to the Contractor under this Contract, the other parts being used to finance
other contracts included in the project.
We have appointed as the Engineer [EPCT: as the Employer's Representative]:
… … …
They will soon be issuing, on our behalf, the Tender Documents listed in Clause 1 of the
Instructions to Tenderers.
We now invite you to submit a Tender in accordance with the Instructions to Tenderers
which form the first part of these Tender Documents. In the Instructions, the following
details are stated to be included in this Letter of Invitation:
(a) Clause 2 refers to the eligibility of the above-named entity, to whom this letter is
addressed;
(b) Clause 3 refers to requests for clarification being sent to the Engineer [EPCT: the
Employer's Representative] who is named above;
(c) Clause 4 refers to a joint site visit by representatives of the tenderers, and we
recommend that you send either one or two representatives to the site for this visit.
It will commence at … … …
(d) Clause 6 refers to the submission of your Tender, which must be received at the
address stated in the Clause not later than 10h00 on the Tender submission date of
…

© FIDIC 2000
(e) Clause 7 refers to the opening of Tenders in the presence of representatives of the
tenderers, which will commence at 10h05 on the Tender submission date stated
above.
Please confirm, within a week of receiving this letter, that you have received all the Tender
Documents, and also advise us whether you will submit a Tender in accordance with the
Instructions to Tenderers.
23

© FIDIC 2000
24
CONS P&DB EPCT
This example form has been drafted as a suggested model from which users may
prepare their own Instructions, copying text as they consider appropriate.
However, many Employers, International Financial Institutions and other entities
have standard forms, which may be equally suitable for use with FIDIC's General
Conditions, and may incorporate requirements which are specific to the entity
promulgating its standard form. The following example clauses are offered as
suggestions for those who do not have such standard forms, and for those who
may wish to review and develop their own standard forms whilst incorporating
their specific requirements.
The Instructions to Tenderers should not form part of the eventual Contract, and
should not contain any text which remains relevant after award of the Contract.
The Instructions specify the procedures to be followed until the Employer either
enters into a Contract or advises tenderers that the Employer does not intend to
do so. In order to facilitate the preparation of the Instructions, any data which
typically is unknown at this stage is referred to as being contained in a Letter of
Invitation: see the example form on the previous page.
For some types of Contractor-designed works, a two-stage tendering procedure
may be adopted. Under the first stage, tenderers submit unpriced technical
proposals, on which the Employer may comment when he invites some or all of
them to submit final priced offers under the second stage. Before amending these
model Instructions, the Employer should consider carefully what he expects to
achieve by the division into two stages, and how tenderers will respond thereto.
1 Introduction
1.1 These Instructions to Tenderers ("these
Instructions") relate to a Letter of Invitation ("the
Invitation"), in which a prospective tenderer is invited
to submit a Tender. The Invitation, which (in the case
of any discrepancy) takes precedence over these
Instructions, specifies:
(a) the company or joint venture, who is
considered to be eligible as described in
Clause 2 of these Instructions and who is
thus invited to submit a Tender;
(b) the Engineer, to whom requests for
clarification may be sent as described in
Clause 3 of these Instructions;
(c) details of how to participate in the site visit by
tenderers (or how to obtain such details), if
such a visit is being arranged under Clause 4
of these Instructions;
1 Introduction
(b) the Engineer, to whom requests for
clarification may be sent as described in
Clause 3 of these Instructions;
1 Introduction
(b) the Employer’s Representative, to whom
requests for clarification may be sent as
described in Clause 3 of these Instructions;
Example Form of Instructions to Tenderers

CONS P&DB EPCT
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(d) the time by which Tenders are to be
submitted in accordance with Clause 6 of
these Instructions (the "Tender submission
date"); and
(e) the time when Tenders are to be opened as
described in Clause 7 of these Instructions.
1.2 The Tender Documents, as issued to each
tenderer in accordance with the Invitation, comprise:
(a) Volume I containing these Instructions, the
Letter of Tender, the Bill of Quantities and
other Schedules;
(b) Volume II containing the Conditions of
Contract, and the Specification;
(c) Volume III containing the Drawings.
1.3 [The following documents have also been
issued to each tenderer for information:
…]
These [documents and the] Instructions to
Tenderers shall not form part of the tenderer's offer,
nor part of the defined words "Tender" or
"Contract". These Instructions prescribe the
procedures to be followed until the Employer either
enters into a Contract with the tenderer or advises
him that the Employer does not intend to do so.
1.4 Words and expressions defined in Sub-
Clause 1.1 of the Conditions of Contract shall have
the same meanings where used in these
Instructions.
1.5 The tenderer shall bear all costs incurred in
the preparation and submission of the Tender,
including visits and other actions mentioned or
implied in these Instructions.
date"); and
tenderer in accordance with the Invitation, comprise:
(a) Volume I containing these Instructions, the
Letter of Tender, and the Schedules;
(b) Volume II containing the Conditions of
Contract, and the Employer's Requirements.
…]
Instructions.
date"); and
tenderer in accordance with the Invitation, comprise
… volumes containing:
(a) these Instructions,
(b) the form of Letter of Tender,
(c) the Conditions of Contract, and
(d) the Employer's Requirements.
…]
Instructions.

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1.6 The Employer will not be responsible or liable for
such costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of
the tendering process. The Employer reserves the right
to accept or reject any Tender, or to annul the tendering
process and reject all Tenders, without incurring liability
to any tenderer and without being obliged to inform
any tenderer of the reasons for the Employer's action.
2 Eligibility of the Tenderer
2.1 The Invitation (i) names the company or joint
venture whom the Employer considered to be
eligible to submit a Tender, (ii) states whether the
tenderer was prequalified or selected, and (iii) may
state any particular conditions or reservations of the
prequalification or selection. Nothing in these
Instructions entitles any other entity, company or
joint venture to submit a Tender.
2.2 [Each prequalified tenderer shall notify the
Employer, as soon as practicable, of any change in
the data submitted for the purpose of the
prequalification. Any significant change in such data
shall be deemed to invalidate the tenderer's
previous prequalification, but the company or joint
venture may request the Employer's permission to
reapply for prequalification. If (at his sole discretion)
the Employer grants such permission, the tenderer's
application for prequalification must be received by
the Employer not less than 28 days before the
Tender submission date specified in Clause 6 of
these Instructions.]
[Each tenderer shall, in order to be considered for
eligibility, submit the information listed below with
the Tender. In the case of a joint venture of two or
more legal persons, the information shall be
submitted in respect of each of these persons and
in respect of the joint venture tenderer.

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(a) copies of original documents defining
constitution and/or legal status, place of
registration and principal place of business;
(b) total annual turnover expressed as total
volume of engineering work carried out in
each of the last five years;
(c) financial reports, including profit and loss
statements, balance sheets and auditor's
reports for the past five years, and an estimated
financial projection for the subsequent year;
(d) evidence of access to lines of credit, and
availability of other financial resources;
(e) name and address of banker(s) who will (and
have been authorised to) provide references
upon request by the Employer;
(f) details of performance as prime/main
contractor on works of a similar nature and
volume over the last five years and on current
works; and
(g) a list of the major items of Contractor's
Equipment proposed for carrying out the
Contract including details of ownership.]
2.3 In these Instructions, the expression "joint
venture" means any of the groupings described in
Sub-Clause 1.14 of the Conditions of Contract. In
order that such a joint venture of two or more legal
persons is to be acceptable as eligible:
(a) these persons shall have nominated a leader
with authority to bind the joint venture and
each of these persons; and this leader shall
be authorised to incur liabilities and receive
instructions for and on behalf of any and all
these persons;
works; and
these persons;
works; and
these persons;

CONS P&DB EPCT
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(b) evidence of this authorisation shall be
submitted with the Tender in the form of a
power of attorney signed by legally
authorised signatories of all these persons;
(c) the Letter of Tender, and (if it is accepted) the
Contract Agreement, shall be signed so as to be
legally binding on each of these persons; and
(d) a copy of the agreement entered into by
these persons shall be submitted with the
Tender. This agreement shall state (i) each
such person's percentage participation in the
joint venture, and (ii) that these persons shall
be jointly and severally liable to the Employer
for the performance of the Contract.
2.4 No such person or sole tenderer shall
participate in the preparation of another tenderer's
Tender for the same Contract. If any entity is found
to have participated in two or more Tenders, other
than alternative Tenders from the same tenderer, all
such Tenders will be rejected.
2.5 However, any entity may be proposed as a
prospective subcontractor by more than one
tenderer in addition to being either a sole tenderer
or a participant in one joint venture tenderer.
3 The Tender Documents
3.1 The Tender shall be responsive to the
complete set of Tender Documents which comprise
the documents listed in Clause 1 above and any
Addenda to Tender Documents which may be
issued as described in this Clause 3. The tenderer
shall scrutinize each document immediately upon
receiving it and shall promptly give notice, to the
party who issued the document, of any pages
which appear to be missing.
(c) the Contract Agreement shall be signed so as
to be legally binding on each of these
persons; and
for the performance of the Contract
(c) the Letter of Tender, and (if it is accepted) the
Contract Agreement, shall be signed so as to be
legally binding on each of these persons; and
for the performance of the Contract.

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3.2 The tenderer must carefully examine all
Tender Documents. Failure to comply with these
Instructions or with any other tendering
requirements will be at the tenderer's risk.
3.3 If the tenderer requires any clarification of the
Tender Documents, he may give notice to the
Engineer. The notice shall be written (which includes
by facsimile transmission) in the language used in the
Invitation, and shall be sent to the Engineer's address
stated in the Invitation as soon as practicable.
3.4 The Engineer shall respond to the notice by
issuing (i) the text of the question or request for
clarification and (ii) the Employer's clarification. This
response shall be in writing and shall give no
indication of the identity of the tenderer who
requested clarification. These requests for
clarification and responses shall be sent to all
prospective tenderers who received the Tender
Documents, but shall not constitute amendments to
the Tender Documents. However, if a notice is
received less than 28 days before the Tender
submission date, there may be no response.
3.5 If amendments are to be made to the Tender
Documents, arising from a notice or otherwise, the
Engineer shall issue an Addendum to Tender
Documents on behalf of the Employer. Each
Addendum to Tender Documents shall be sent to all
Documents, and shall be binding upon them. The
tenderer shall promptly acknowledge receipt of each
Addendum to Tender Documents by written notice
to the Engineer, and shall also enter its reference
number in the first sentence of the Letter of Tender.
3.6 At any time, the Engineer may similarly issue
Engineer. The notice shall be written (which includes
by facsimile transmission) in the language used in the
Invitation, and shall be sent to the Engineer's address
stated in the Invitation as soon as practicable.
3.4 The Engineer shall respond to the notice by
Engineer shall issue an Addendum to Tender
Documents on behalf of the Employer. Each
Documents, and shall be binding upon them. The
tenderer shall promptly acknowledge receipt of each
Addendum to Tender Documents by written notice
to the Engineer, and shall also enter its reference
3.6 At any time, the Engineer may similarly issue
Employer’s Representative. The notice shall be
written (which includes by facsimile transmission) in
the language used in the Invitation, and shall be
sent to the address stated in the Invitation as soon
as practicable.
3.4 The Employer shall respond to the notice by
Employer shall issue an Addendum to Tender
Documents. Each Addendum to Tender Documents
shall be sent to all prospective tenderers who
received the Tender Documents, and shall be
binding upon them. The tenderer shall promptly
acknowledge receipt of each Addendum to Tender
Documents by written notice to the Employer's
Representative, and shall also enter its reference
3.6 At any time, the Employer may similarly issue

© FIDIC 2000
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CONS P&DB EPCT
an Addendum to Tender Documents which amends
the Tender submission date. In this event, all rights
and obligations of the Employer and the tenderers
previously related to the original date shall thereafter
be subject to the amended date.
4 Site Visit
4.1 The tenderer is advised to visit and examine
the Site, its surroundings and other parts of the
Country, and must obtain for himself on his own
responsibility all information which may be necessary
for preparing the Tender and entering into a Contract.
4.2 The tenderer and any of his personnel or
agents will be granted conditional permission to
enter upon the Site. The permission shall be
deemed to have been based upon the tenderer, his
personnel and agents indemnifying the Employer
and his personnel and agents from and against all
liability and upon the tenderer being responsible for
personal injury (whether fatal or otherwise), loss of
or damage to property and any other loss, damage,
costs and expenses (however caused) which would
not have arisen other than due to the exercise of
such permission.
4.3 If a joint site visit is to be arranged for all
tenderers, details are given in the Invitation.
4.4 Such a joint visit is intended to supplement,
and not to replace, the individual inspections carried
out by each tenderer. The Employer accepts no
responsibility for providing any indication of relevant
aspects, or access to appropriate areas, which a
competent tenderer may consider necessary for the
preparation of a Tender.
4.5 The Employer shall not be bound by any oral
representations which may be made during a joint
4 Site Visit
such permission.
4 Site Visit
such permission.

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site visit, whether by the Engineer's personnel or by
others; and whether during a formal meeting or
otherwise. In order to minimize the possibility of
misunderstanding, tenderers should present any
requests for clarification in writing. In accordance
with Clause 3 of these Instructions, any record of
the formal meeting, requests, clarifications and/or
Documents.
5 Preparation of the Tender
5.1 The Tender and all communications between
the tenderer and the Employer or the Engineer shall
be typed or written in indelible ink in the language
used in the Invitation. Supporting documentation
submitted by the tenderer may be in another
language if he also submits an appropriate
translation of all its relevant passages into this ruling
language.
5.2 The Tender Documents to be submitted by
each tenderer shall comprise the Volume I
5.3 The Tender Documents issued to the
tenderer, including any amendments instructed in an
Addendum to Tender Documents, shall be used
without further amendment.
5.4 The tenderer shall submit, with his Tender, a
tender security in the form annexed to these
Instructions. The tender security shall be issued by
an entity acceptable to the Employer, and shall be
valid for not less than 35 days after the date on
which the validity of the Tender expires. The
Employer will return the tender security upon the
occurrence of the first of the following events:
site visit, whether by the Engineer's personnel or by
Documents.
the tenderer and the Employer or the Engineer shall
be typed or written in indelible ink in the language
used in the Invitation. Supporting documentation
submitted by the tenderer may be in another
language if he also submits an appropriate
translation of all its relevant passages into this ruling
language.
5.2 The Tender Documents to be submitted by
each tenderer shall comprise the Volume I
described in Clause 1 of these Instructions, and a
Proposal prepared in accordance with this Clause 5.
site visit, whether by the Employer's personnel or by
Documents.
the tenderer and the Employer shall be typed or
written in indelible ink in the language used in the
Invitation. Supporting documentation submitted by
the tenderer may be in another language if he also
submits an appropriate translation of all its relevant
passages into this ruling language.
5.2 The Tender to be submitted by each tenderer
shall include the documents in accordance with this
Clause 5 and the Tender Documents described in
Clause 1 of these Instructions.

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(a) the Employer receives the Performance
Security from the successful tenderer;
(b) the Employer abandons his intention to
appoint a Contractor; or
(c) the validity of all tender securities for the
contract expires.
5.5 The tenderer shall price the whole of the
Works, and submit a Tender, in accordance with the
Tender Documents. A Tender which excludes part
of the Works may be rejected as unresponsive.
5.6 Each of the Schedules shall be completed as
appropriate to the particular Schedule. The Bill of
Quantities shall be fully priced, with a rate entered
for each item. Each amount shall be carried forward
to the Summary, the total of which shall be carried
forward to the Letter of Tender. All rates and prices
shall be entered in the same currency as that which
is named in the Letter of Tender. If any item is not
priced, there shall be no payment for the work
described in the item, which shall be deemed
covered by other rates and/or prices.
5.7 The tenderer shall also submit the following
supplementary information accompanying, but not
forming part of, his Tender:
contract expires.
5.5 The tenderer shall complete each Schedule
as appropriate to the particular Schedule, and
submit a Tender for the whole of the Works in
accordance with the Tender Documents. A Tender
which excludes part of the Works may be rejected
as unresponsive.
5.6 The tenderer's Proposal, which must form
part of the Tender, shall include:
(a) a detailed description of the proposed Works;
(b) drawings, including plans, elevations and
typical cross-sections; these may be A1 size
and/or bound A3 volumes, at 1:1000 to
1:100 scales;
(c) commentary on the Employer's
Requirements, detailing how the layout and
other critical requirements will be achieved;
(d) manufacturers' brochures and/or other details
of the main items of Plant including spares;
(e) details of any exceptions to the statements in
the Letter of Tender which otherwise state
that the Employer's Requirements contain no
errors and that the Works will conform
therewith.
contract expires.
5.5 The tenderer shall submit a Tender for the
whole of the Works in accordance with the Tender
Documents. A Tender which excludes part of the
Works may be rejected as unresponsive.
5.6 The Tender shall include:
(a) a detailed description of the proposed Works;
(b) drawings, including plans, elevations and
typical cross-sections; these may be A1 size
and/or bound A3 volumes, at 1:1000 to
1:100 scales;
(c) commentary on the Employer's
Requirements, detailing how the layout and
other critical requirements will be achieved;
(d) manufacturers' brochures and/or other details
of the main items of Plant including spares;
(e) proposals for training; and
(f) proposals for post-contract technical support
and supply of spare parts.

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(a) the information listed in Clause 2 of these
Instructions, if applicable to the tenderer;
(b) name and address of the bank or other entity
which will provide the Performance Security
and the advance payment guarantee; and a
letter from such entity acknowledging having
received the Annexes to the Particular
Conditions of Contract and undertaking to
provide these security documents in
accordance with the exact wording of these
Annexes (if the entity prefers to make minor
changes, they must be specified exactly);
(c) name and address of the insurers and their
principal terms for the insurances required by
Clause 18 of the Conditions of Contract,
including proposed deductibles and
exclusions;
(d) details of the arrangements and methods
which the tenderer proposes to adopt for the
execution of the Works, in sufficient detail to
demonstrate their adequacy to achieve the
requirements of the Contract including
completion within the Time for Completion;
(e) any proposals for subcontracting the
execution of parts of the Works, excluding
each subcontract which will be less than ten
percent of the Tender sum (this exclusion
does not apply to the details required in the
Schedules, which must be completed without
exclusions);
(f) the names, qualifications and experience of
key personnel proposed for the management
of the Contract and the execution of the
Works, both on and off site, including
curriculum vitae of the senior personnel.
exclusions;
execution of parts of the Works on the Site,
excluding each subcontractor named in the
Schedules;
curriculum vitae of the senior personnel;
(g) names and particulars of each proposed
designer and design subcontractor.
exclusions;
execution of parts of the Works on the Site,
excluding each subcontract which will be less
than ten percent of the Tender sum;
curriculum vitae of the senior personnel;
(g) names and particulars of design
subcontractors.

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A Tender which is not accompanied by this
information may be rejected as unresponsive.
5.8 The completed Tender shall not have any
alterations or erasures, except any which may be
specified in an Addendum to Tender Documents
issued under Clause 3 of these Instructions.
However, if alterations are necessary to correct
errors made by the tenderer, these corrections shall
be endorsed with the signature of the person
signing the Letter of Tender.
5.9 Only one Tender may be submitted by each
tenderer, except for any alternative offers. In addition
to a compliant Tender, the tenderer may offer
technical or other alternatives to the requirements of
the Tender Documents, which may include
reasonable deviations or other proposals. Each
alternative Tender shall include all information
necessary for its complete evaluation by the
Employer, including any relevant calculations,
specifications, construction methods, timing
implications, breakdowns of prices, and other
relevant details. The Employer reserves the right to
reject alternative offers.
6 Submission of the Tender
6.1 The Tenderer shall prepare one original set and
three photocopy sets of the documents comprising
the Tender and supplementary information, as
described in Clause 5 of these Instructions. Each
such set shall be submitted in an inner envelope
within an outer envelope, with each document and
each envelope being clearly marked "ORIGINAL" or
"COPY" as appropriate. If there is any discrepancy
between them, the ORIGINAL shall prevail.
6.2 The original and copies of the Tender shall be
signed by a person or persons duly authorised to

CONS P&DB EPCT
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bind the tenderer. Proof of authorisation, in the form
of a written power of attorney, shall be annexed to
the Letter of Tender. All pages of the Appendix to
Tender and Schedules where entries or
amendments have been made shall be initialled by
the person(s) signing the Letter of Tender.
6.3 The inner and outer envelopes shall be
addressed to:
....
and shall bear the following identification:
....
6.4 The inner envelopes shall indicate the name
and address of the tenderer to enable the Tender to
be returned unopened if it is declared "late". The
outer envelopes shall give no indication of the
tenderer.
6.5 If a Tender is misplaced or opened
prematurely because an envelope was not sealed
and marked as instructed above, the Employer shall
not be responsible and the Tender may be rejected.
6.6 The original and copies of the Tender must
be delivered to the address specified above no later
than the time, on the Tender submission date,
stated in the Invitation. Tenders received by the
Employer thereafter will be returned unopened.
6.7 The tenderer may modify or withdraw his
Tender after submitting it, if the modification or
notice of withdrawal is received in writing before
such prescribed time for submission of Tenders but
not thereafter. The tenderer's modification or notice
of withdrawal shall be prepared, sealed, marked
and delivered in accordance with the provisions of
this Clause 6, with the inner envelopes additionally
marked "MODIFICATION" or "WITHDRAWAL", as
the Letter of Tender. All pages of the Appendix to
Tender and Schedules where entries or
amendments have been made shall be initialled by
the person(s) signing the Letter of Tender.
addressed to:
....
....
tenderer.
the Letter of Tender.
addressed to:
....
....
tenderer.

CONS P&DB EPCT
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appropriate. In particular, the modification or notice
of withdrawal shall be signed by a person or
persons duly authorised to bind the tenderer, and
proof of authorisation shall be annexed.
6.8 A Tender submitted other than as described
in this Clause 6 may be rejected by the Employer
and returned to the tenderer.
6.9 The Tender shall remain valid and open for
acceptance for the period of 140 days from the
Tender submission date. The tenderer shall calculate
the date on which validity expires and insert this
expiry date in the Letter of Tender. Prior to this
expiry date, the Employer may by written notice
request the tenderer to extend the validity period.
The tenderer may refuse the request, but shall not
modify his Tender other than by extending its
validity.
7 Tender Opening
7.1 Tenders and other submissions, which are in
accordance with Clause 6 of these Instructions, will
be opened at the date and time stated in the
Invitation in the presence of tenderers'
representatives who choose to attend at the address
for delivery of Tenders specified in Clause 6.
7.2 Tenderers' representatives at this opening
shall sign an attendance register.
7.3 Tenders for which the Employer has received
a valid notice of withdrawal in accordance with
Clause 6 of these Instructions shall not be opened.
7.4 The Employer will examine Tenders to
determine whether they appear to be complete,
properly signed, and generally in order. For each
Tender, the Employer or the Engineer will announce
the name of the tenderer, the sum offered in the
validity.
7 Tender Opening
representatives who choose to attend at the
address for delivery of Tenders specified in Clause 6.
7.4 The Employer will examine Tenders to
Tender, the Employer or the Engineer will announce
the name of the tenderer, the sum offered in the
validity.
7 Tender Opening
representatives who choose to attend at the
address for delivery of Tenders specified in Clause 6.
7.4 The Employer will briefly examine Tenders to
Tender, the Employer will announce the name of the
tenderer, the sum offered in the Letter of Tender,

CONS P&DB EPCT
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Letter of Tender, and such other details as the
Employer may consider appropriate.
7.5 After this Tender opening, information relating
to the processes of examination, clarification,
evaluation and comparison of Tenders and the
award of a contract shall not be disclosed, other
than to those officially concerned with such
processes. Any effort by a tenderer to influence the
Employer or the Engineer in these processes may
result in the rejection of the tenderer's Tender.
8 Tender Evaluation
8.1 Prior to the detailed evaluation of Tenders,
the Employer will determine whether each Tender is
substantially responsive to the requirements of the
Tender Documents.
For the purpose of these processes, a substantially
responsive Tender is one which conforms to all the
terms, conditions and requirements of the Tender
Documents without material deviation or
reservation.
8.2 A material deviation or reservation is one
which affects in any substantial way the scope,
quality, or performance of the Works, or which limits
in any substantial way (inconsistent with the Tender
Documents) the Employer's rights or the
Contractor's obligations under the Contract, and the
rectification of which deviation or reservation would
affect unfairly the competitive position of other
tenderers presenting substantially responsive
Tenders.
8.3 If a Tender is not substantially responsive to
the requirements of the Tender Documents, it will be
rejected by the Employer. The Tender shall not be
made responsive by the tenderer correcting or
Letter of Tender, and such other details as the
Employer may consider appropriate.
Employer or the Engineer in these processes may
result in the rejection of the tenderer's Tender.
8 Tender Evaluation
8.1 Prior to the detailed evaluation of Tenders, the
Employer will determine whether each Tender is
Tender Documents.
reservation.
Tenders.
and such other details as the Employer may
consider appropriate
Employer in these processes may result in the
rejection of the tenderer's Tender.
8 Tender Evaluation
8.1 Prior to the detailed evaluation of Tenders,
the Employer will determine whether each Tender is
Tender Documents.
reservation.
Tenders.

CONS P&DB EPCT
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withdrawing the non-conforming deviation or
reservation.
8.4 The Employer will only evaluate and compare
the Tenders which have been determined to be
Tender Documents. Responsive Tenders will first be
checked by the Employer for any arithmetic errors in
computation and summation, and any errors will be
corrected as follows:
(a) The amount entered in the Letter of Tender (as
announced when Tenders were opened) may
be considered acceptable as the Contract
Amount without any of the corrections and
adjustments described in these sub-
paragraphs. If there is any discrepancy
between amounts in figures and in words, the
amount in words will take precedence.
(b) If there is any discrepancy between this
amount and the equivalent sum computed on
the basis of the Bill of Quantities or other
Schedules, the Employer may make
corrections and/or adjustments (applying the
principles described in these sub-paragraphs)
and give notice to the tenderer, specifying each
error, correction and adjustment. If the tenderer
does not accept these notified corrections and
adjustments, his Tender may be rejected.
(c) If there is a substantial discrepancy between
a stated amount and the correct amount
calculated by multiplying the stated unit rate
by the quantity, and the rate seems to have
been stated in error (inconsistent with the
tenderer's likely intentions), the stated unit
rate shall be amended and the stated amount
will be binding.
reservation.
(a) The amount entered in the Letter of Tender (as
announced when Tenders were opened) may
be considered acceptable as the Contract
Amount without any of the corrections and
adjustments described in these sub-
paragraphs. If there is any discrepancy
between amounts in figures and in words, the
amount in words will take precedence.
(b) If there is any discrepancy between this
amount and the equivalent sum computed on
the basis of the Schedules, the Employer
may make corrections and/or adjustments
(applying the principles described in these
sub-paragraphs) and give notice to the
tenderer, specifying each error, correction and
adjustment. If the tenderer does not accept
these notified corrections and adjustments,
his Tender may be rejected.
(c) If there is a substantial discrepancy between
a stated amount and the correct amount
calculated by multiplying the stated unit rate
by the quantity, and the rate seems to have
been stated in error (inconsistent with the
tenderer's likely intentions), the stated unit
rate shall be amended and the stated amount
will be binding.
reservation.
(a) The amount entered in the Letter of Tender
(as announced when Tenders were opened)
may be considered acceptable as the
Contract Price without any of the corrections
and adjustments described in these sub-
paragraphs.
(b) If there is any discrepancy between amounts
in figures and in words, the amount in words
will take precedence.
(c) If there is any discrepancy between an
amount in the Letter of Tender and the
equivalent sum computed on the basis of the
details in the Tender, the Employer may make
corrections and/or adjustments (applying the
principles described in these sub-paragraphs)
and give notice to the tenderer, specifying
each error, correction and adjustment.

CONS P&DB EPCT
© FIDIC 2000
39
(d) If there is any discrepancy between a stated
amount and the correct amount calculated by
multiplying the stated unit rate by the quantity,
and either the discrepancy is not substantial
or it is reasonable to assume that the stated
rate is consistent with the tenderer's
intentions, the stated unit rate will be binding
and the stated amount shall be amended.
8.5 For the purpose of evaluating Tenders, the
Employer will determine for each Tender the
Evaluated Tender Amount as follows:
(a) making any correction for errors as described
above;
(b) making an appropriate adjustment for any
acceptable variations, deviations, discounts
or other alternative offers not reflected in the
submitted amount or these corrections; [and
(c) making an allowance for any acceptable
varied times for completion offered in
alternative Tenders, the allowance being
calculated at the same rate as the rate for
delay damages for the Works which is stated
in the Appendix to Tender.]
8.6 To assist in the examination, evaluation and
comparison of Tenders, the Employer may ask any
tenderer for clarification of his Tender, including break-
downs of unit rates and lump sum prices. The request
for clarification and the response shall be in writing. No
change in the price or substance of the Tender shall be
sought, offered or permitted except as required to
confirm the correction of arithmetic errors discovered by
the Employer during the evaluation of the Tenders.
9 Award of the Contract
9.1 The Employer intends (i) to award the
(d) If there is any discrepancy between a stated
amount and the correct amount calculated by
multiplying the stated unit rate by the quantity,
and either the discrepancy is not substantial
or it is reasonable to assume that the stated
rate is consistent with the tenderer's
intentions, the stated unit rate will be binding
and the stated amount shall be amended.
above;
in the Appendix to Tender.]
8.6 The evaluation of the Tenders shall be based
upon the principles outlined in the performance
evaluation criteria annexed to these Instructions.
Unless specifically stated, no criterion will take
precedence over any other criteria, and Tender
evaluation shall be based on an overall consideration.
above;
in the Particular Conditions of Contract.]
8.6 The evaluation of the Tenders shall be based
upon the principles outlined in the performance
evaluation criteria annexed to these Instructions.
Unless specifically stated, no criterion will take
precedence over any other criteria, and Tender
evaluation shall be based on an overall consideration.

CONS P&DB EPCT
© FIDIC 2000
40
Contract to the tenderer who appears to have the
capability and resources to carry out the Contract
effectively, whose Tender has been determined to
be responsive to the Tender Documents and who
has offered (all taken into consideration) the most
favourable Tender; or (ii) to reject compliant Tenders
and accept an alternative Tender. The Employer
reserves the right to reject any or all Tenders.
9.2 [During the evaluation of Tenders, the
Employer may give the preferred tenderer(s) a list of
the names of suitable professionals who are
acceptable to the Employer to act as DAB (sole
adjudicator) under Clause 20 of the Conditions of
Contract. The Employer does not intend to contact
such persons, and they should not be contacted by
tenderers. If, in very special circumstances, the
Employer exchanged correspondence with any of
these listed persons, copies of such
correspondence will be forwarded to the tenderer.]
[OR: During the evaluation of Tenders, the Employer
may give the preferred tenderer the name of the
person whom the Employer nominates as a
member of the DAB under Clause 20 of the
Conditions of Contract; and the tenderer may
likewise give the Employer the name of the person
whom the tenderer nominates.]
9.3 After receiving the Employer's Letter of
Acceptance, the successful tenderer shall submit a
Performance Security in accordance with Sub-
Clause 4.2, and an advance payment guarantee in
accordance with Sub-Clause 14.2, of the
Conditions of Contract.
9.4 After receiving the Performance Security from the
successful tenderer, the Employer will notify the other
tenderers that their Tenders have been unsuccessful.
9.2 The preferred tenderer(s) may be invited to
participate in negotiation meeting(s) with the
Employer, who may then issue a Memorandum of
Understanding recording the outcome of their joint
discussions of the Tender, which may include
proposed arrangements for the appointment of the
DAB under Clause 20 of the Conditions of Contract.
This Memorandum of Understanding will constitute
the agreed basis upon which a contract could be
concluded, and/or may include clarification of any
alternative proposals which the tenderer may have
submitted. The Memorandum of Understanding (i)
shall be binding on the tenderer as an acceptable
clarification or amendment of his Tender until its
validity expires, (ii) shall be wholly subject to a
subsequent contract agreement, and (iii) shall not
bind the Employer nor commit him to entering into
any contract under any terms.
9.3 After receiving the Employer's Letter of
Acceptance, the successful tenderer shall submit a
Clause 4.2, and an advance payment guarantee in
accordance with Sub-Clause 14.2, of the
Conditions of Contract.
tenderers that their Tenders have been unsuccessful..
9.2 The preferred tenderer(s) may be invited to
participate in negotiation meeting(s) with the
Employer, who may then issue a Memorandum of
Understanding recording the outcome of their joint
discussions of the Tender, which may include
proposed arrangements for the appointment of the
DAB under Clause 20 of the Conditions of Contract.
This Memorandum of Understanding will constitute
the agreed basis upon which a contract could be
concluded, and/or may include clarification of any
alternative proposals which the tenderer may have
submitted. The Memorandum of Understanding (i)
shall be binding on the tenderer as an acceptable
clarification or amendment of his Tender until its
validity expires, (ii) shall be wholly subject to a
subsequent contract agreement, and (iii) shall not
bind the Employer nor commit him to entering into
any contract under any terms.
9.3 After the Employer and the successful tenderer
have entered into the Contract Agreement in
accordance with Sub-Clause 1.6 of the Conditions of
Contract, the Contractor shall submit a Performance
Security in accordance with Sub-Clause 4.2, and an
advance payment guarantee in accordance with
Sub-Clause 14.2, of the Conditions of Contract.
tenderers that their Tenders have been unsuccessful.

© FIDIC 2000
41
The Conditions of Contract are stated to comprise the General Conditions and
Particular Conditions. In each Book, the General Conditions are followed by
guidance for the preparation of Particular Conditions ("GPPC"). Each GPPC's
Introduction proposes the wording which is required in order to define the
appropriate General Conditions:
The Conditions of Contract comprise the "General Conditions", which form
part of the "Conditions of Contract for …" … published by the Fédération
Internationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils (FIDIC), and the following "Particular
Conditions", which include amendments and additions to such General
Conditions.
In each Book, only those words and expressions which are used many times
are defined in this Sub-Clause. With the exception of the words "day" and
"year", these defined words and expressions are identifiable by the use of
Capital Initial Letters. Therefore, the Particular Conditions should use capital
initial letters for words and expressions which are intended to have these
defined meanings.
A glossary of commonly used words and phrases is included at the end of this
Guide. This glossary lists words and phrases which are used in the fields of
building, consultancy, engineering and associated activities, but must not be used
to amplify or replace the definitions in this Clause.
The first sentence of Sub-Clause 1.1 (quoted above) states that the definitions
only apply to "these Conditions". If similar words and expressions are used in
other contract documents, the words and expressions have capital initial letters,
and no other meanings are defined, it will generally be inferred that they have the
meanings stated in this Sub-Clause. Throughout the Contract, the use of words
and expressions without capital initial letters may (depending upon the context)
indicate that they are to have their natural meaning, and not the meaning defined
in this Sub-Clause. For example, the General Conditions contain references to
"cost" and to other "contractors".
Unless inconsistent with the context, the word "person", and other words normally
taken as indicating a person or persons, may refer to an individual or to a firm,
corporation, joint venture or other entity having legal capacity.
The defined words and expressions are divided into six groups, 1.1.1 to 1.1.6, in
order to facilitate comparison between the definitions of similar expressions. For
example, the reader may observe that time-related expressions are defined in
Sub-Clause 1.1.3, and will be able to note the similarity between the definitions of
"Time for Completion" and "Defects Notification Period". Readers who wish to
locate a definition without needing to consider the group in which it should be
defined may prefer to consult the page opposite the beginning of Clause 1, which
provides a list of the defined words and expressions in alphabetical order.
The following list is a compilation of these lists of defined words and expressions
in all the Books:
Clause 1 General Provisions
1.1 Definitions
In the Conditions of Contract ("these Conditions"),
which include Particular Conditions and these
General Conditions, the following words and
expressions shall have the meanings stated. Words
indicating persons or parties include corporations
and other legal entities, except where the context
requires otherwise.
requires otherwise.
requires otherwise.
RB 1.1 & 1.3; YB 1.1 & 1.3; OB 1.1 & 1.3
CONS P&DB EPCT

© FIDIC 2000
42
1.1.4.1 1.1.4.1 N/A Accepted Contract Amount
1.1.1.9 1.1.1.9 N/A Appendix to Tender
1.1.3.1 1.1.3.1 1.1.3.1 Base Date
1.1.1.10 N/A N/A Bill of Quantities
1.1.3.2 1.1.3.2 1.1.3.2 Commencement Date
1.1.1.1 1.1.1.1 1.1.1.1 Contract
1.1.1.2 1.1.1.2 1.1.1.2 Contract Agreement
1.1.4.2 1.1.4.2 1.1.4.1 Contract Price
1.1.2.3 1.1.2.3 1.1.2.3 Contractor
1.1.6.1 1.1.6.1 1.1.6.1 Contractor's Documents
1.1.5.1 1.1.5.1 1.1.5.1 Contractor's Equipment
1.1.2.7 1.1.2.7 1.1.2.7 Contractor's Personnel
N/A 1.1.1.7 N/A Contractor's Proposal
1.1.2.5 1.1.2.5 1.1.2.5 Contractor's Representative
1.1.4.3 1.1.4.3 1.1.4.2 Cost
1.1.6.2 1.1.6.2 1.1.6.2 Country
1.1.2.9 1.1.2.9 1.1.2.9 DAB
1.1.3.9 1.1.3.9 1.1.3.9 day
1.1.1.10 N/A N/A Daywork Schedule
1.1.3.7 1.1.3.7 1.1.3.7 Defects Notification Period
1.1.1.6 N/A N/A Drawings
1.1.2.2 1.1.2.2 1.1.2.2 Employer
1.1.6.3 1.1.6.3 1.1.6.3 Employer's Equipment
1.1.2.6 1.1.2.6 1.1.2.6 Employer's Personnel
N/A N/A 1.1.2.4 Employer's Representative
N/A 1.1.1.5 1.1.1.3 Employer's Requirements
1.1.2.4 1.1.2.4 N/A Engineer
1.1.2.10 1.1.2.10 1.1.2.10 FIDIC
1.1.4.4 1.1.4.4 N/A Final Payment Certificate
1.1.4.5 1.1.4.5 1.1.4.3 Final Statement
1.1.6.4 1.1.6.4 1.1.6.4 Force Majeure
1.1.4.6 1.1.4.6 1.1.4.4 Foreign Currency
1.1.5.2 1.1.5.2 1.1.5.2 Goods
1.1.4.7 1.1.4.7 N/A Interim Payment Certificate
1.1.6.5 1.1.6.5 1.1.6.5 Laws
1.1.1.3 1.1.1.3 N/A Letter of Acceptance
1.1.1.4 1.1.1.4 N/A Letter of Tender
1.1.4.8 1.1.4.8 1.1.4.5 Local Currency
1.1.5.3 1.1.5.3 1.1.5.3 Materials
1.1.2.1 1.1.2.1 1.1.2.1 Party
1.1.4.9 1.1.4.9 N/A Payment Certificate
1.1.3.8 1.1.3.8 1.1.3.8 Performance Certificate
N/A N/A 1.1.1.5 Performance Guarantees
1.1.6.6 1.1.6.6 1.1.6.6 Performance Security
1.1.5.4 1.1.5.4 1.1.5.4 Permanent Works
1.1.5.5 1.1.5.5 1.1.5.5 Plant
1.1.4.10 1.1.4.10 1.1.4.6 Provisional Sum
1.1.4.11 1.1.4.11 1.1.4.7 Retention Money
1.1.1.7 1.1.1.6 N/A Schedules
N/A 1.1.1.10 N/A Schedule of Guarantees
N/A 1.1.1.10 1.1.1.5 Schedule of Payments
1.1.5.6 1.1.5.6 1.1.5.6 Section
1.1.6.7 1.1.6.7 1.1.6.7 Site
1.1.1.5 N/A N/A Specification
1.1.4.12 1.1.4.12 1.1.4.8 Statement
1.1.2.8 1.1.2.8 1.1.2.8 Subcontractor
1.1.3.5 1.1.3.5 1.1.3.5 Taking-Over Certificate
1.1.5.7 1.1.5.7 1.1.5.7 Temporary Works
1.1.1.8 1.1.1.8 1.1.1.4 Tender
1.1.3.6 1.1.3.6 1.1.3.6 Tests after Completion
1.1.3.4 1.1.3.4 1.1.3.4 Tests on Completion
1.1.3.3 1.1.3.3 1.1.3.3 Time for Completion
1.1.6.8 1.1.6.8 N/A Unforeseeable
1.1.6.9 1.1.6.9 1.1.6.8 Variation
1.1.5.8 1.1.5.8 1.1.5.8 Works
1.1.3.9 1.1.3.9 1.1.3.9 year
CONS P&DB EPCT Word/expression CONS P&DB EPCT Word/expression
“N/A” indicates Not Applicable, where the Book contains no such defined word or expression.

CONS P&DB EPCT
© FIDIC 2000
43
1.1.1 The Contract
1.1.1.1 “Contract” means the Contract Agreement,
the Letter of Acceptance, the Letter of Tender, these
Conditions, the Specification, the Drawings, the
Schedules, and the further documents (if any) which
are listed in the Contract Agreement or in the Letter
of Acceptance.
1.1.1.2 “Contract Agreement” means the contract
agreement (if any) referred to in Sub-Clause 1.6
[ Contract Agreement ].
1.1.1.3 “Letter of Acceptance” means the letter of
formal acceptance, signed by the Employer, of the
Letter of Tender, including any annexed memoranda
comprising agreements between and signed by
both Parties. If there is no such letter of
acceptance, the expression “Letter of Acceptance”
means the Contract Agreement and the date of
issuing or receiving the Letter of Acceptance means
the date of signing the Contract Agreement.
1.1.1.4 “Letter of Tender” means the document
entitled letter of tender, which was completed by the
Contractor and includes the signed offer to the
Employer for the Works.
1.1.1.5 “Specification” means the document
entitled specification, as included in the Contract,
and any additions and modifications to the
specification in accordance with the Contract. Such
document specifies the Works.
1.1.1.6 “Drawings” means the drawings of the
Works, as included in the Contract, and any
additional and modified drawings issued by (or on
behalf of) the Employer in accordance with the
Contract.
1.1.1.7 “Schedules” means the document(s)
the Letter of Acceptance, the Letter of Tender, these
Conditions, the Employer's Requirements, the
Schedules, the Contractor's Proposal, and the
further documents (if any) which are listed in the
Contract Agreement or in the Letter of Acceptance.
agreement (if any) referred to in Sub-Clause 1.6
[ Contract Agreement ].
1.1.1.3 “Letter of Acceptance” means the letter of
formal acceptance, signed by the Employer, of the
Letter of Tender, including any annexed memoranda
comprising agreements between and signed by
both Parties. If there is no such letter of
acceptance, the expression "Letter of Acceptance"
means the Contract Agreement and the date of
issuing or receiving the Letter of Acceptance means
the date of signing the Contract Agreement.
1.1.1.4 “Letter of Tender” means the document
entitled letter of tender, which was completed by the
Contractor and includes the signed offer to the
Employer for the Works.
1.1.1.5 “Employer's Requirements” means the
document entitled employer's requirements, as
included in the Contract, and any additions and
modifications to such document in accordance with
the Contract. Such document specifies the
purpose, scope, and/or design and/or other
technical criteria, for the Works.
1.1.1.6 “Schedules” means the document(s)
entitled schedules, completed by the Contractor and
submitted with the Letter of Tender, as included in the
Contract. Such document may include data, lists and
schedules of payments and/or prices.
these Conditions, the Employer's Requirements, the
Tender, and the further documents (if any) which are
listed in the Contract Agreement.
agreement referred to in Sub-Clause 1.6 [ Contract
Agreement ], including any annexed memoranda.
1.1.1.3 “Employer's Requirements” means the
document entitled employer's requirements, as
included in the Contract, and any additions and
modifications to such document in accordance with
the Contract. Such document specifies the
purpose, scope, and/or design and/or other
technical criteria, for the Works.

CONS P&DB EPCT
Sub-Clause 1.1.1 commences by listing the documents which together comprise
the Contract in the same sequence as the order of precedence specified in Sub-
Clause 1.5. Sub-Clause 1.1.1 then defines the contract documents in the same
sequence. Note that any indication of their expected contents may have little
practical effect. When the Contract comes into force, the Contract consists of the
actual documents, and it is their contents which are relevant, not the contents
indicated in these definitions. Also, any Letter of Acceptance and/or Contract
Agreement will typically contain a list of documents which comprise the Contract,
and any such list has priority over Sub-Clause 1.1.1.1: see Sub-Clause 1.5.
Many of the contract documents are defined in terms of "the document entitled
…", so the appropriate title must be included on each document. Otherwise, there
may be dispute as to whether a document is a contract document and, if so, as
to whether the references in these Conditions actually refer to such contract
document.
Many of the contract documents are defined in terms of "as included in the
Contract", recognising the possibility that a Letter of Acceptance and/or Contract
Agreement may include annexed memoranda amending the documents. Prior to
accepting the Tender and entering into the Contract, the Employer should
© FIDIC 2000
44
consider whether there is any inconsistency between any tender documents; if so,
it should be resolved. Although any inconsistency between two tender documents
may be covered under Sub-Clause 1.5, it is preferable for the inconsistency to be
resolved by an agreed amendment.
The second definition refers to the Contract Agreement: see the comments on
Sub-Clause 1.6 in this Guide and in each GPPC, and the Example Form at the
end of each Book.
EPCT 1.6 states that the Contract comes into effect on the date stated in the
Contract Agreement. EPCT therefore makes no reference to a Letter of
Acceptance, except for the comments on EPCT 1.6 in its GPPC which anticipates
the possibility of the Employer preferring to issue a Letter of Acceptance.
CONS 1.6 and P&DB 1.6 require the Parties (unless they agree otherwise) to enter
into the Contract Agreement within 28 days after the Contractor receives the
Letter of Acceptance, which is the document which would typically have brought
the Contract into effect. Even if the applicable law does not necessitate a Contract
Agreement, the latter is often considered advisable, in order to record what
constitutes the Contract under CONS or P&DB. A hasty award may, for example,
entitled schedules, completed by the Contractor
and submitted with the Letter of Tender, as included
in the Contract. Such document may include the Bill
of Quantities, data, lists, and schedules of rates
and/or prices.
1.1.1.8 “Tender” means the Letter of Tender and all
other documents which the Contractor submitted
with the Letter of Tender, as included in the
Contract.
1.1.1.9 “Appendix to Tender” means the completed
pages entitled appendix to tender which are
appended to and form part of the Letter of Tender.
1.1.1.10“Bill of Quantities” and “Daywork
Schedule” mean the documents so named (if any)
which are comprised in the Schedules.
1.1.1.7 “Contractor's Proposal” means the
document entitled proposal, which the Contractor
submitted with the Letter of Tender, as included in
the Contract. Such document may include the
Contractor's preliminary design.
1.1.1.8 “Tender” means the Letter of Tender and
all other documents which the Contractor
submitted with the Letter of Tender, as included in
the Contract.
1.1.1.9 “Appendix to Tender” means the completed
pages entitled appendix to tender which are
appended to and form part of the Letter of Tender.
1.1.1.10“Schedule of Guarantees” and “Schedule
of Payments” mean the documents so named (if
any) which are comprised in the Schedules.
1.1.1.4 “Tender” means the Contractor's signed
offer for the Works and all other documents which
the Contractor submitted therewith (other than
these Conditions and the Employer's Requirements,
if so submitted), as included in the Contract.
1.1.1.5 “Performance Guarantees” and
“Schedule of Payments” mean the documents so
named (if any), as included in the Contract.

give rise to problems (if a dispute arises) over the meaning and inter-relationship
of post-tender pre-award communications.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Contract typically becomes legally binding when the
Contractor receives the Letter of Acceptance. This Letter must define the
Accepted Contract Amount (see 1.1.4.1) and may be in the following form:
For and on behalf of …, we accept the offer contained in your Letter of
Tender dated … to [design,] execute and complete the above-named
Works and remedy any defects therein, for the Accepted Contract Amount
of … Unless and until a formal Agreement is prepared and executed, the
Contract shall comprise the following documents:
[ list of documents, with appropriate references/dates ]
The Letter of Acceptance may also include, possibly within annexed memoranda:
- a breakdown of the Accepted Contract Amount, which may differ from the
sum stated in the Letter of Tender by reason of arithmetic errors and/or so
as to define which alternative option is being accepted; and/or
- the outcome of any post-tender negotiations and/or clarifications of the
Tender, although it would be unfair to have asked or permitted the tenderer
to change the substance or value of the Tender.
However, CONS and P&DB allow for the possibility that there may be no such
Letter of Acceptance. For example, the Parties may sign a Contract Agreement
which (as a matter of law) brings the Contract into effect, but without a "Letter of
Acceptance". In this event, the references to the Letter of Acceptance in Sub-
Clauses 4.2, 8.1, 14.7 and 18.1 will relate to this signing date, and the Accepted
Contract Amount must be defined in the Contract Agreement in accordance with
Sub-Clauses 1.1.1.3 and 1.1.4.1.
The Letter of Tender, and the Appendix to Tender under CONS or P&DB, should
be based on the Example Form at the end of each Book. In the Letter of Tender,
the tenderer offers to enter into a legally-binding contract. It is called a "Letter of"
Tender so as to differentiate it from the overall package of documents called the
"Tender". This Letter is not a lengthy document, but is important under CONS or
P&DB because, when the Letter of Tender is accepted in the Letter of
Acceptance, these two Letters will typically create a legally-binding Contract.
The Letter of Tender starts by identifying the tender documents (including any
Addenda thereto) and the offered price, for which the written words may (under
© FIDIC 2000
45
applicable law) prevail over the amount expressed in figures. The second
paragraph refers to the appointment of the DAB: see the commentary on Sub-
Clause 20.2. The third paragraph states the date up to which the Tender is valid
for acceptance. The Instructions to Tenderers may require tenderers to write this
validity date into this third paragraph, in accordance with a specified validity period
calculated from the Tender submission date (this date being defined in the
Instructions or in the Letter of Invitation, unless subsequently amended in an
Addendum to Tender Documents). This validity period should be assessed
carefully by the Employer, taking account of his procedures and the time
necessary for evaluation of tenders, including studying Contractor-design
proposals. The Instructions to Tenderers may require each tenderer to submit a
tender security, which may be called if the tenderer fails to abide by the Tender
until this validity date. An example form of tender security is shown in Annex B of
each GPPC, based upon Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees which are
considered further in this Guide's comments on Sub-Clause 4.2.
CONS' Specification and Drawings are the documents where the Employer
specifies all matters not covered by the Conditions of Contract, including the
location of the Site, the scope of the Works, the details listed on GPPC's page 3,
details of how each part of the Works is required to be constructed, and (possibly)
a programme of work. For example, if the Works include work on an existing
facility, the Contractor might be required to phase the work in a particular way in
order to minimise the disruption to the continuing operation of the facility.
P&DB's and EPCT's Employer's Requirements is the document where the
Employer states his precise requirements for the completed Works, including all
matters not covered by the Conditions of Contract. The Employer's Requirements
is the base document which includes: the definition of the location of the Site, the
definition and purpose of the Works, quality and performance criteria, the details
listed on GPPC's page 3, and special obligations (such as the training of operating
personnel, for example). These matters should not be specified in the Instructions
to Tenderers, because they would not then be contractually binding.
P&DB's and EPCT's Employer's Requirements should include all relevant criteria,
including quality, performance and testing, but need not specify any matters which
would be imposed on the Works by the applicable law. Quality should be specified
in terms which are not so detailed as to reduce the Contractor's design
responsibilities, not so imprecise as to be difficult to enforce, and not reliant on the
future opinions of the Engineer or Employer's Representative, which tenderers
may consider impossible to forecast. The Employer's Requirements may include

© FIDIC 2000
46
drawings, on which the proposed Works may be outlined. In such cases, the
Employer's Requirements should define the extent to which (for example) the
Works to be executed by the Contractor must comply with the outline. The
incorporation of design aspects into this document should be carried out with
care, with full consideration being given to the consequences, including any
ultimate responsibility for this design by the Employer.
CONS' and P&DB's Schedules are prepared by the Employer, issued with the
tender documents and completed by the tenderer. The form of the Schedules will
depend on the information and data which the Employer requires, both for the
tender evaluation and for inclusion in the Contract. If the Contract includes
Schedules which define any matter consistent with the other Contract
documents, the matter becomes an obligation and either Party can enforce it,
subject to the provisions of the Contract, such as Sub-Clause 1.5. For example,
if the tenderer specifies the quality of an item of Materials in a Schedule and such
quality is consistent with other provisions in the Contract:
- the Employer does not have to accept an inferior quality, but may do so
after agreeing a reduced price under Sub-Clause 13.2, and
- the Contractor does not have to provide a superior quality, unless and until
he is instructed to do so as a Variation under Clause 13.
CONS' Schedules will typically comprise a Bill of Quantities and a Daywork
Schedule, for the purposes of Clause 12 and Sub-Clause 13.6 respectively. If
there is any Contractor-design, other Schedules may be required, as appropriate
for the type of Contractor-design included in the Contract.
P&DB's Schedules should reflect the type of Contractor-design included in the
Contract. These Schedules may include a questionnaire, tables and/or lists, setting
out the information required from the tenderer. When preparing the Schedules, the
Employer should consider carefully the extent of information required, taking
account of the work being imposed on the tenderers and on his personnel, who
will be carrying out the detailed evaluation and comparison of Tenders.
P&DB's Contractor's Proposal is the document containing the tenderer's
preliminary design, which he prepared and submitted with his Tender. The General
Conditions do not indicate whether the preliminary design is only a small-scale
outline, or includes fully detailed working drawings, because such a pre-contract
obligation cannot be enforced by the General Conditions. For that reason, the
Employer cannot insist on receiving detailed working drawings with each Tender,
but he may define (in the Instructions to Tenderers) what will be regarded as a
responsive tender. Either Party might, on the one hand, prefer an outline, in order
to minimise the costs of tendering and/or of the evaluation and comparison of
tenders. However, either Party might prefer detailed drawings, in order to reach
agreement on the details. Although the Employer can specify what will constitute
a responsive tender, tenderers will be reluctant to carry out a costly detailed
design if they consider that they have little chance of recovering their costs
through being awarded the contract.
In his Proposal, the tenderer should identify any aspects where he proposes not
to comply with any particular aspect of the Employer's Requirements, so that
these deviations can be resolved before the Tender is accepted. If deviations are
not identified, and thus are not clarified in the Contract, the Employer's
Requirements take precedence: see Sub-Clause 1.5. However, if the Contractor's
Proposal includes elaboration of any matter (for example, quality assurance
details) which is consistent with the other Contract documents, the matter
becomes an obligation and either Party can enforce it.
EPCT makes no reference to a "Contractor's Proposal" so as to provide greater
flexibility in the use of this Book. The tenderer includes the details of his proposals
in the "Tender" which is defined in EPCT 1.1.1.4 as the tenderer's submission
excluding the Conditions of Contract and the Employer's Requirements. These
exclusions, which refer to the documents wholly written by (or on behalf of) the
Employer, are required so that each document may be allocated its priority in
EPCT 1.5.
CONS' and P&DB's definition of "Tender" does not exclude the Employer's
documents, because (unlike in EPCT) the word "Tender" is not related to the
authorship or priority of documentation.
CONS' and P&DB's Appendix to Tender is referred to in the many Sub-Clauses
which require specific data in order for them to become effective, such as the
Parties' names and various amounts and percentages, for example. The
Appendix to Tender should be based on the Example Form at the end of each
Book. There is no indication whether data is to be provided by the Employer, prior
to issuing the tender documents, or by the tenderer.
When preparing the Appendix to Tender for CONS or P&DB tender documents,
the Employer should review the Example Form, decide what items to complete,
and decide on the relevant data, taking account of the comments in the Book and
this Guide. Although the Employer may complete all items (other than 1.1.2.3,
usually), he might prefer to require tenderers to complete various items, but he

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CONS P&DB EPCT
EPCT makes no reference to an "Appendix to Tender" so as to provide greater
flexibility in the use of this Book. Many Sub-Clauses require data to be included in
the Particular Conditions, as listed in the GPPC's Introduction. In each of these
cases, the provision in the Particular Conditions may (i) include the required data,
(ii) state a different document where the data is to be found, or (iii) state that the
particular Sub-Clause is deleted.
would typically include data for Sub-Clauses 1.1.2.2, 1.1.2.4, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 4.2,
8.7, 18.2 and 18.3 as a minimum. Although each of Sub-Clauses 4.2, 13.8, 14.2,
14.5, 18.2(d) and 18.3 states that it does not apply if the required data is not
included in the Appendix to Tender, it is preferable to avoid ambiguity by including
the phrase "not applicable" opposite the number of each of these Sub-Clauses in
the Appendix to Tender which are to be inapplicable.
1.1.2 Parties and Persons
1.1.2.1 “Party” means the Employer or the
Contractor, as the context requires.
1.1.2.2 “Employer” means the person named as
employer in the Appendix to Tender and the legal
successors in title to this person.
1.1.2.3 “Contractor” means the person(s) named
as contractor in the Letter of Tender accepted by
the Employer and the legal successors in title to this
person(s).
1.1.2.4 “Engineer” means the person appointed by
the Employer to act as the Engineer for the
purposes of the Contract and named in the
Appendix to Tender, or other person appointed from
time to time by the Employer and notified to the
Contractor under Sub-Clause 3.4 [ Replacement of
the Engineer ].
1.1.2.5 “Contractor’s Representative” means the
person named by the Contractor in the Contract or
appointed from time to time by the Contractor under
Sub-Clause 4.3 [ Contractor’s Representative ], who
acts on behalf of the Contractor.
1.1.2.6 “Employer’s Personnel” means the
Engineer, the assistants referred to in Sub-
Clause 3.2 [ Delegation by the Engineer ] and all
employer in the Appendix to Tender and the legal
as contractor in the Letter of Tender accepted by
the Employer and the legal successors in title to this
person(s).
1.1.2.4 “Engineer” means the person appointed by
the Employer to act as the Engineer for the
purposes of the Contract and named in the
Appendix to Tender, or other person appointed from
time to time by the Employer and notified to the
Contractor under Sub-Clause 3.4 [ Replacement of
the Engineer ].
1.1.2.5 “Contractor's Representative” means the
Sub-Clause 4.3 [ Contractor's Representative ], who
1.1.2.6 “Employer’s Personnel” means the
Engineer, the assistants referred to in Sub-
Clause 3.2 [ Delegation by the Engineer ] and all
employer in the Contract Agreement and the legal
as contractor in the Contract Agreement and the
legal successors in title to this person(s).
1.1.2.4 “Employer's Representative” means the
person named by the Employer in the Contract or
appointed from time to time by the Employer under
Sub-Clause 3.1 [ The Employer's Representative ],
who acts on behalf of the Employer.
1.1.2.5 “Contractor's Representative” means the
Sub-Clause 4.3 [ Contractor's Representative ], who
1.1.2.6 “Employer's Personnel” means the
Employer's Representative, the assistants referred
to in Sub-Clause 3.2 [ Other Employer's Personnel ]

CONS P&DB EPCT
© FIDIC 2000
48
other staff, labour and other employees of the
Engineer and of the Employer; and any other
personnel notified to the Contractor, by the
Employer or the Engineer, as Employer’s Personnel.
1.1.2.7 “Contractor’s Personnel” means the
Contractor’s Representative and all personnel whom
the Contractor utilises on Site, who may include the
staff, labour and other employees of the Contractor
and of each Subcontractor; and any other
personnel assisting the Contractor in the execution
of the Works.
1.1.2.8 “Subcontractor” means any person named
in the Contract as a subcontractor, or any person
appointed as a subcontractor, for a part of the
Works; and the legal successors in title to each of
these persons.
1.1.2.9 “DAB” means the person or three persons
so named in the Contract, or other person(s)
appointed under Sub-Clause 20.2 [ Appointment of
the Dispute Adjudication Board ] or Sub-Clause 20.3
[ Failure to Agree Dispute Adjudication Board ]
1.1.2.10“FIDIC” means the Fédération Internationale
des Ingénieurs-Conseils, the international federation
of consulting engineers.
other staff, labour and other employees of the
Engineer and of the Employer; and any other
personnel notified to the Contractor, by the
Employer or the Engineer, as Employer's Personnel.
of the Works.
these persons.
the Dispute Adjudication Board ] or Sub-Clause
20.3 [ Failure to Agree Dispute Adjudication Board ].
and all other staff, labour and other employees of
the Employer and of the Employer's Representative;
and any other personnel notified to the Contractor,
by the Employer or the Employer's Representative,
as Employer's Personnel.
of the Works.
these persons.
the Dispute Adjudication Board ] or Sub-Clause
20.3 [ Failure to Agree Dispute Adjudication Board ].
Sub-Clause 1.1.2 defines legal persons, who could be firms, corporations or other
legal entities under the second sentence of Sub-Clause 1.1. In particular, CONS'
and P&DB's Engineer and EPCT's Employer's Representative may be a firm of
independent consulting engineers. If the Contractor is a joint venture, Sub-Clause
1.14 will apply.
The Parties to the Contract are the Employer and the Contractor, and not any
assignee to which the other Party has not agreed under Sub-Clause 1.7. It is
advisable to take legal advice before seeking or agreeing to an assignment.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Engineer is the legal person named in the Appendix
to Tender, unless and until replaced under Sub-Clause 3.4. The Engineer's role is
covered in Clause 3.
Under EPCT, the Employer' Representative may be named in the Employer's

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CONS P&DB EPCT
expected to be people whom the Employer would regard as his own personnel,
namely the Employer's employees.
It is not envisaged that the Contract will necessarily identify every Subcontractor,
but some may need to be recorded at the Tender stage, before the Parties enter
into the Contract. Sub-contracting is covered in more detail in Sub-Clauses 4.4
and 4.5. CONS 5 contains provisions for the Engineer's nomination of
Subcontractors. P&DB 4.5 and EPCT 4.5 constrain the Contractor's obligation to
comply with such nomination instructions, because of the problems associated
with design responsibility and the perceived inconsistency between this
nomination procedure and Contractor-design.
The DAB is required to adjudicate disputes under Clause 20. The DAB comprises
one or three persons jointly appointed by the Parties, unless under CONS or P&DB
the Particular Conditions include the GPPC's example sub-clause for pre-arbitral
decisions by the Engineer. Sub-Clause 20.2 requires each tripartite agreement
between the Parties and a member of the DAB to incorporate (by reference) the
Appendix to the General Conditions. At the end of each Book, Example Forms are
published for each tripartite agreement, incorporating such Appendix accordingly.
See the commentary in this Guide on Sub-Clause 20.2 and thereafter.
FIDIC is also defined, to take account of the possibility that the Contract may refer
to it. For example, the President of FIDIC may be named as the person resolving
any disagreement under Sub-Clause 20.3: see GPPC 20.2.
Requirements or may be appointed and notified under Sub-Clause 3.1, but
EPCT does not require the Employer to appoint such a person. EPCT does not
require there to be any intermediary in the role given to the Engineer in the other
Books.
In all Books, the Contractor is required by Sub-Clause 4.3 to seek consent to the
proposed Contractor's Representative, unless he/she was named in the Contract:
typically in CONS' Schedule, or in P&DB's Proposal or Schedule, or in EPCT's
Tender.
If the Contractor's Representative is to be named in the Tender and thus in the
Contract, tenderers may wish to name alternates, in case a preferred
representative becomes unavailable during the period of validity of the Tender.
The General Conditions use the phrases "Employer's Personnel" and
"Contractor's Personnel" when referring to people for whom each such Party is
responsible. In particular, the Employer's Personnel would include those involved
in inspection and testing (see Sub-Clause 7.3), who should be "notified to the
Contractor" under Sub-Clause 1.1.2.6, but would typically not include all the
Employer's other contractors on the Site (see Sub-Clause 2.3). By contrast, the
Contractor's Personnel include all Subcontractor's employees on the Site, and
others assisting the Contractor's execution of the Works. The logic of these
definitions should not be reversed, in the sense that there is no intention to imply
that CONS' or P&DB's Engineer and his "assistants" (under Sub-Clause 3.2) are
1.1.3 Dates, Tests, Periods and Completion
1.1.3.1 “Base Date” means the date 28 days prior
to the latest date for submission of the Tender.
1.1.3.2 “Commencement Date” means the date
notified under Sub-Clause 8.1 [ Commencement of
Works ].
1.1.3.3 “Time for Completion” means the time for
completing the Works or a Section (as the case
may be) under Sub-Clause 8.2 [ Time for
Works ].
Works ], unless otherwise defined in the Contract
Agreement.

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CONS P&DB EPCT
Completion ], as stated in the Appendix to Tender
(with any extension under Sub-Clause 8.4
[ Extension of Time for Completion ]), calculated
from the Commencement Date.
1.1.3.4 “Tests on Completion” means the tests
which are specified in the Contract or agreed by
both Parties or instructed as a Variation, and which
are carried out under Clause 9 [ Tests on
Completion ] before the Works or a Section (as the
case may be) are taken over by the Employer.
1.1.3.5 “Taking-Over Certificate” means a
certificate issued under Clause 10 [ Employer’s
Taking Over ].
1.1.3.6 “Tests after Completion” means the tests
(if any) which are specified in the Contract and
which are carried out in accordance with the
provisions of the Particular Conditions after the
Works or a Section (as the case may be) are taken
over by the Employer.
1.1.3.7 “Defects Notification Period” means the
period for notifying defects in the Works or a
Section (as the case may be) under Sub-
Clause 11.1 [ Completion of Outstanding Work and
Remedying Defects ], as stated in the Appendix to
Tender (with any extension under Sub-Clause 11.3
[ Extension of Defects Notification Period ],
calculated from the date on which the Works or
Section is completed as certified under Sub-
Clause 10.1 [ Taking Over of the Works and
Sections ].
1.1.3.8 “Performance Certificate” means the
certificate issued under Sub-Clause 11.9
[ Performance Certificate ].
1.1.3.9 “day” means a calendar day and “year”
means 365 days.
Completion ], as stated in the Appendix to Tender
certificate issued under Clause 10 [ Employer's
Taking Over ].
1.1.3.6 “Tests after Completion” means the tests
which are carried out under Clause 12 [ Tests after
Completion ] after the Works or a Section (as the
Section (as the case may be) under Sub-Clause
11.1 [ Completion of Outstanding Work and
Remedying Defects ], as stated in the Appendix to
Tender (with any extension under Sub-Clause 11.3
[ Extension of Defects Notification Period ]),
Section is completed as certified under Sub-Clause
10.1 [ Taking Over of the Works and Sections ].
1.1.3.8 “Performance Certificate” means the
means 365 days.
Completion ], as stated in the Particular Conditions
certificate issued under Clause 10 [ Employer's
Taking Over ].
1.1.3.6 "Tests after Completion” means the tests
which are carried out under Clause 12 [ Tests after
Completion ] after the Works or a Section (as the
Section (as the case may be) under Sub-Clause
11.1 [ Completion of Outstanding Work and
Remedying Defects ], as stated in the Particular
Conditions (with any extension under Sub-Clause
11.3 [ Extension of Defects Notification Period ]),
Section is completed as certified under Sub-Clause
10.1 [ Taking Over of the Works and Sections ]. If no
such period is stated in the Particular Conditions,
the period shall be one year.
1.1.3.8 “Performance Certificate" means the
means 365 days.

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Sub-Clause 1.1.3 defines the time-related words and expressions, generally in
chronological order.
The Base Date is used as the reference date for the information available to the
tenderer in respect of Sub-Clauses 4.10, EPCT 5.1, P&DB/EPCT 5.4, 13.7,
13.8, 14.15(e), 17.5(b)(ii), and 18.2 (final paragraph). The Commencement Date
is the reference date for the Time for Completion and the Contractor's
completion obligations under Clause 8. Administration of the Contract may be
facilitated by redefining the Base Date and Commencement Date as particular
calendar dates, in the Contract Agreement, which has priority under Sub-
Clause 1.5.
If the Employer requires to take over the Works in stages, each stage having its
own Time for Completion, delay damages, and (possibly) Tests on Completion,
Sections should be defined in the tender documents (see 1.1.5.6).
Tests on Completion are subject to Clause 9. Procedures for Taking-Over
Certificates are specified in Clause 10; and those for Tests after Completion are
specified in Clause 12 of P&DB and EPCT only. Although CONS includes a
definition of Tests after Completion (for consistency with P&DB), these tests are
seldom required for Employer-designed Works.
For Contractor-design, P&DB's and EPCT's Employer's Requirements should
describe the Tests on Completion, and any Tests after Completion, which are
considered necessary to demonstrate that the Plant and other Works satisfy the
prescribed criteria. The extent of these Tests should be considered carefully by
the Employer when writing the Employer's Requirements, taking account of the
principle that the Works or a Section are taken over when tests specified as
Tests on Completion have been passed. The general sequence of events is as
follows:
- the Contractor completes the Section or Works;
- the Contractor carries out the tests defined as the Tests on Completion;
- the Employer takes over the Section or Works; and
- the Tests after Completion are carried out, if any.
Put another way, it is necessary to decide on the details and timing of each test,
before deciding whether it is to be one of the Tests on Completion or one of the
Tests after Completion. If there are to be any Tests after Completion, the tender
documents must specify the Party which will carry them out. In order to provide
wording for either alternative, P&DB 12.1 was drafted on the basis of the
Employer carrying out the Tests after Completion, and EPCT 12.1 was drafted on
the basis of the Contractor carrying out the Tests after Completion.
Under any of the Books, it may be necessary, when specifying Tests on
Completion or Tests after Completion, to consider the likely effect of any relevant
factors at the time of testing: when adjacent parts of the Works may be
incomplete, or when conditions (such as river flows) are below the design criteria,
for example.
The expression "Defects Notification Period" recognises the most significant
aspect of this period, namely the notifying of defects under Sub-Clause 11.1(b).
In some other published forms of contract, it is referred to as a defects liability or
maintenance period, an expression which could mislead.
Assuming (for the purposes of illustration) that the Defects Notification Period is
365 days, it should be noted that, if a part of the Works is taken over under CONS
10.2 or P&DB 10.2, the part's defects notification period will effectively exceed
365 days. The definition in 1.1.3.7 states (in order to avoid unduly complicating
administration of the Contract) that the 365 days commences on the completion
date of the Section (if any) which includes this part; or, if there is no such Section,
on the completion date of the Works. In contrast, EPCT 10.2 states that parts
shall not be taken over, except as may be stated in the Contract or as may be
agreed by both Parties.
The Defects Notification Period for the Works and for each of the Sections is
subject to extension under Sub-Clause 11.3. It is therefore possible that the
extension in respect of one Section may result in its Defects Liability Period
expiring after the period calculated from the date on which the Works are taken
over. Therefore, Sub-Clauses 11.9 and 14.9 refer to "the latest of the expiry dates
of the Defects Notification Periods".
Since "day" means any (working or non-working) calendar day from midnight to
midnight, time periods specified in days commence on the beginning of the day
following the date of the act which constitutes the starting-point. However, a
"year" is any period of 365 days, not the calendar year from 1st January to 31st
December. Time periods specified in years therefore commence on the
beginning of the day following the date of the act which constitutes the starting-
point.

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1.1.4.1 “Accepted Contract Amount” means the
amount accepted in the Letter of Acceptance for
the execution and completion of the Works and the
remedying of any defects.
1.1.4.2 “Contract Price” means the price defined
in Sub-Clause 14.1 [ The Contract Price ], and
includes adjustments in accordance with the
Contract.
1.1.4.3 “Cost” means all expenditure reasonably
incurred (or to be incurred) by the Contractor,
whether on or off the Site, including overhead and
similar charges, but does not include profit.
1.1.4.4 “Final Payment Certificate” means the
payment certificate issued under Sub-Clause 14.13
[ Issue of Final Payment Certificate ].
1.1.4.5 “Final Statement” means the statement
defined in Sub-Clause 14.11 [ Application for Final
Payment Certificate ].
1.1.4.6 “Foreign Currency” means a currency in
which part (or all) of the Contract Price is payable,
but not the Local Currency.
1.1.4.7 “Interim Payment Certificate” means a
payment certificate issued under Clause 14
[ Contract Price and Payment ], other than the Final
Payment Certificate.
1.1.4.8 “Local Currency” means the currency of
the Country.
1.1.4.9 “Payment Certificate” means a payment
certificate issued under Clause 14 [ Contract Price
and Payment ].
1.1.4.1 “Accepted Contract Amount” means the
amount accepted in the Letter of Acceptance for
the execution and completion of the Works and the
1.1.4.2 “Contract Price” means the price defined
in Sub-Clause 14.1 [ The Contract Price ], and
includes adjustments in accordance with the
Contract.
1.1.4.4 “Final Payment Certificate” means the
payment certificate issued under Sub-Clause 14.13
[ Issue of Final Payment Certificate ].
Payment Certificate ].
1.1.4.7 “Interim Payment Certificate” means a
payment certificate issued under Clause 14
[ Contract Price and Payment ], other than the Final
the Country.
1.1.4.9 “Payment Certificate” means a payment
certificate issued under Clause 14 [ Contract Price
and Payment ].
1.1.4.1 “Contract Price” means the agreed
amount stated in the Contract Agreement for the
design, execution and completion of the Works and
the remedying of any defects, and includes
adjustments (if any) in accordance with the
Contract.
Payment ].
the Country.
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.1.4 Money and Payments

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1.1.4.10“Provisional Sum” means a sum (if any)
which is specified in the Contract as a provisional
sum, for the execution of any part of the Works or for
the supply of Plant, Materials or services under Sub-
Clause 13.5 [ Provisional Sums ].
1.1.4.11“Retention Money” means the accumulated
retention moneys which the Employer retains under
Sub-Clause 14.3 [ Application for Interim Payment
Certificates ] and pays under Sub-Clause 14.9
[ Payment of Retention Money ].
1.1.4.12“Statement” means a statement submitted
by the Contractor as part of an application, under
Clause 14 [ Contract Price and Payment ], for a
payment certificate.
1.1.4.10“Provisional Sum” means a sum (if any)
sum, for the execution of any part of the Works or for
the supply of Plant, Materials or services under Sub-
Clause 13.5 [ Provisional Sums ].
1.1.4.11“Retention Money” means the accumulated
retention moneys which the Employer retains under
Sub-Clause 14.3 [ Application for Interim Payment
Certificates ] and pays under Sub-Clause 14.9
[ Payment of Retention Money ].
1.1.4.12“Statement” means a statement submitted
by the Contractor as part of an application, under
Clause 14 [ Contract Price and Payment ], for a
payment certificate.
1.1.4.6 “Provisional Sum” means a sum (if any)
sum, for the execution of any part of the Works or
for the supply of Plant, Materials or services under
Sub-Clause 13.5 [ Provisional Sums ].
1.1.4.7 “Retention Money” means the
accumulated retention moneys which the Employer
retains under Sub-Clause 14.3 [ Application for
Interim Payments ] and pays under Sub-Clause
14.9 [ Payment of Retention Money ].
1.1.4.8 “Statement” means a statement submitted
by the Contractor as part of an application for
payment under Clause 14 [ Contract Price and
Payment ].
Sub-Clause 1.1.4 defines the money-related words and expressions, in
alphabetical order. The first definition is the agreed amount which should be stated
in the document which brings the Contract into legal effect: namely a CONS' or
P&DB's Letter of Acceptance, or (under any Book) the Contract Agreement.
Under CONS or P&DB, if the Accepted Contract Amount is not named in the
Letter of Acceptance, there may be an implication that the amount is that which
is stated in the accepted Letter of Tender. The Accepted Contract Amount is a
fixed amount, which is referred to in the Appendix to Tender for the calculation of
the amount of Performance Security, advance payment, limit of Retention Money,
and the minimum amount of Interim Payment Certificates. In order to provide a
phrase for the adjustable amounts due to the Contractor, CONS and P&DB define
the Contract Price, and refer to Sub-Clause 14.1 and adjustments prescribed in
the Contract.
Under EPCT, the Contract Price must be stated in the Contract Agreement. In the
General Conditions, it is largely referred to as being fixed, at least to a greater
extent than under P&DB. Because, in practice, EPCT's Contract Price may be
adjusted (under Clause 13, for example):
- the definition of Contract Price refers to the subsequent "adjustments in
accordance with the Contract", and
- the Particular Conditions should define the amount of Performance
Security, advance payment, and limit of Retention Money as percentages
of the "Contract Price stated in the Contract Agreement".
If payments under the Contract are to be made in more than one currency, a
decision has to be made when writing the tender documents as to whether the
Accepted Contract Amount and Contract Price are each to comprise:
- the sum of amounts in two or more currencies of payment, without them
being combined into one amount using rates of currency exchange,
or
- one amount expressed in a "currency of account", in which case a
decision has also to be made whether all payments will be made in such
currency.
This aspect, which is considered further in the comments on Sub-Clause 14.15,
affects the way in which the above amounts are defined, as percentages of the
Accepted Contract Amount or of the Contract Price.
"Cost" is defined as including overhead charges, but profit is excluded.
Overhead charges may include reasonable financing costs incurred by reason
of payment being received after expenditure. In some countries, financing costs
might be included within "Cost", even though funds were not borrowed because
CONS P&DB EPCT

© FIDIC 2000
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In these Conditions, provisions including the expression "Cost plus
reasonable profit" require this profit to be one-twentieth (5%) of this Cost.
The Final Statement is defined as the agreed final statement, and not as the
Contractor's draft final statement, which is only a "Statement". Under CONS or
P&DB, each Statement represents the Contractor's request for a Payment
Certificate. Under EPCT, each Statement represents the Contractor's request for
payment, there being no Payment Certificates.
1.1.5.1 “Contractor’s Equipment” means all
apparatus, machinery, vehicles and other things
required for the execution and completion of the
Works and the remedying of any defects. However,
Contractor’s Equipment excludes Temporary Works,
Employer’s Equipment (if any), Plant, Materials and
any other things intended to form or forming part of
the Permanent Works.
1.1.5.2 “Goods” means Contractor’s Equipment,
Materials, Plant and Temporary Works, or any of
them as appropriate.
1.1.5.3 “Materials” means things of all kinds (other
than Plant) intended to form or forming part of the
Permanent Works, including the supply-only
materials (if any) to be supplied by the Contractor
under the Contract.
1.1.5.4 “Permanent Works” means the permanent
works to be executed by the Contractor under the
Contract.
1.1.5.5 “Plant” means the apparatus, machinery
and vehicles intended to form or forming part of the
Permanent Works.
1.1.5.6 "Section" means a part of the Works specified
in the Appendix to Tender as a Section (if any).
1.1.5.1 “Contractor’s Equipment” means all
Contractor’s Equipment excludes Temporary Works,
Employer’s Equipment (if any), Plant, Materials and
1.1.5.2 “Goods” means Contractor’s Equipment,
under the Contract.
works to be executed by the Contractor under the
Contract.
Permanent Works.
1.1.5.6 “Section” means a part of the Works specified
in the Appendix to Tender as a Section (if any).
1.1.5.1 “Contractor's Equipment” means all
Contractor's Equipment excludes Temporary Works,
Employer's Equipment (if any), Plant, Materials and
1.1.5.2 “Goods” means Contractor's Equipment,
under the Contract.
works to be designed and executed by the
Contractor under the Contract.
Permanent Works.
1.1.5.6 “Section” means a part of the Works specified
in the Particular Conditions as a Section (if any).
the Contractor had sufficient funds at his disposal. Generally, profit is included
in the Contractor's entitlement to compensation in circumstances where the
Employer is typically blameworthy (e.g. 2.1) but not in circumstances which are
not the fault of either Party (e.g. CONS/P&DB 4.12). The amount of profit due
may depend upon the circumstances but, if it is to be specified in the Contract,
the following sentence may be included in Sub-Clause 1.2 of the Particular
Conditions:
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.1.5 Works and Goods

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1.1.5.7 “Temporary Works” means all temporary
works of every kind (other than Contractor’s
Equipment) required on Site for the execution and
completion of the Permanent Works and the
1.1.5.8 “Works” mean the Permanent Works and
the Temporary Works, or either of them as
appropriate.
works of every kind (other than Contractor’s
appropriate.
works of every kind (other than Contractor's
appropriate.
Sub-Clause 1.1.5 defines the words and expressions relating to the Works and
Goods, in alphabetical order. The word "Goods" includes the Contractor's
Equipment and Temporary Works which revert to the Contractor, and the
Materials and Plant which are to form part of the Permanent Works. The tender
documents must use these definitions, and should not mention undefined phrases
such as "Permanent Equipment" or "Constructional Plant".
Contractor's Equipment comprises the mechanical equipment required for the
Works, including items owned and/or used by Subcontractors.
If the Employer requires to take over the Works in stages, they should be defined
as Sections: in CONS' or P&DB's Appendix to Tender, or in EPCT's Particular
Conditions. Precise geographical definitions of Sections are advisable, so that the
extent of the Parties' responsibilities after taking over are clear.
If no Sections are specified, the General Conditions' references to Sections will be
of no effect.
It is usually preferable for the definitions of the Sections to be such that they do
not together constitute the whole of the Works. Otherwise, if the Works are
divided wholly into Sections but with every part of the Works being part of one or
other Section, it is possible (but bad practice) for there to be no certificate entitled
"Taking-Over Certificate for the Works". In this event, which is wholly avoidable,
there will still be a certificate which comprises the Taking-Over Certificate for the
Works, even if it does not so state.
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.1.6 Other Definitions
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.1.6.1 “Contractor’s Documents” means the
calculations, computer programs and other
software, drawings, manuals, models and other
documents of a technical nature (if any) supplied by
the Contractor under the Contract.
1.1.6.2 “Country” means the country in which the
Site (or most of it) is located, where the Permanent
Works are to be executed.
1.1.6.1 “Contractor’s Documents” means the
documents of a technical nature (if any) supplied by
the Contractor under the Contract; as described in
Sub-Clause 5.2 [ Contractor’s Documents ].
1.1.6.1 “Contractor's Documents” means the
documents of a technical nature supplied by the
Contractor under the Contract; as described in
Sub-Clause 5.2 [ Contractor's Documents ].

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1.1.6.3 “Employer’s Equipment” means the
apparatus, machinery and vehicles (if any) made
available by the Employer for the use of the
Contractor in the execution of the Works, as
stated in the Employer’s Requirements; but does
not include Plant which has not been taken over
by the Employer.
1.1.6.4 “Force Majeure” is defined in Clause 19
[ Force Majeure ].
1.1.6.5 “Laws” means all national (or state)
legislation, statutes, ordinances and other laws, and
regulations and by-laws of any legally constituted
public authority.
1.1.6.6 “Performance Security” means the
security (or securities, if any) under Sub-Clause 4.2
[ Performance Security ].
1.1.6.7 “Site” means the places where the
Permanent Works are to be executed and to which
Plant and Materials are to be delivered, and any
other places as may be specified in the Contract as
forming part of the Site.
1.1.6.8 “Unforeseeable” means not reasonably
foreseeable by an experienced contractor by the
date for submission of the Tender.
1.1.6.9 “Variation” means any change to the
Employer’s Requirements or the Works, which is
instructed or approved as a variation under
Clause 13 [ Variations and Adjustments ].
1.1.6.3 “Employer's Equipment” means the
Contractor in the execution of the Works, as stated
in the Employer's Requirements; but does not
include Plant which has not been taken over by the
Employer.
[ Force Majeure ].
public authority.
Employer's Requirements or the Works, which is
instructed or approved as a variation under Clause
13 [ Variations and Adjustments ].
1.1.6.3 “Employer’s Equipment” means the
Contractor in the execution of the Works, as
stated in the Specification; but does not include
Plant which has not been taken over by the
Employer.
[ Force Majeure ].
public authority.
1.1.6.8 “Unforeseeable” means not reasonably
date for submission of the Tender.
Works, which is instructed or approved as a
variation under Clause 13 [ Variations and
Adjustments ].
CONS P&DB EPCT
Sub-Clause 1.1.6 defines the remaining (unclassified) words and expressions, in
alphabetical order.
The Contractor's Documents are defined as all drawings, etc. which are to be
supplied by the Contractor; and which may include documents on paper and
electronic media. The General Conditions do not specify which design
documents are to be supplied, under the second paragraph of Sub-Clause 4.1,
and do not imply that the Contractor submits all design documents. On the

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contrary, Sub-Clause 1.10 and P&DB/EPCT 5.2 (second paragraph) refer to some
of his design documents as not being "Contractor's Documents" because the
Contract does not require him to supply them to the Employer or Engineer.
Therefore, a more detailed description of the documents (if any) which are to be
supplied by the Contractor must be included in the Contract: in CONS'
Specification, in P&DB's Proposal or Employer's Requirements, or in EPCT's
Tender or Employer's Requirements. Under P&DB or EPCT, this description must
specify:
- which documents are to be supplied by the Contractor, namely the
"Contractor's Documents", possibly elaborating on Sub-Clauses 5.6 and
5.7, and
- which (if any) of such Contractor's Documents are to be submitted for
review under Sub-Clause 5.2 (and under P&DB, whether for approval) and
other necessary information: for example, the extent of detail required for
the submissions, and procedures and periods for the reviews.
The Employer's use of Contractor's Documents is constrained by Sub-Clause 1.10.
Employer's Equipment is defined as the specified equipment made available by
the Employer: see Sub-Clause 4.20. The General Conditions do not specify which
equipment will be made available, and do not imply that the Employer makes any
equipment available. If he is to do so, Employer's Equipment must be described
in the Contract: in CONS' Specification, or in P&DB's or EPCT's Employer's
Requirements.
Laws are defined in general terms, including national and local legislation, without
reference to a particular jurisdiction. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the
word "Laws" may refer to the laws of any relevant jurisdiction. Although the
Contract is governed by the law of the jurisdiction referred to in the first paragraph
of Sub-Clause 1.4, the actions and obligations of the Parties are typically also
subject to the law of other jurisdictions.
The Site is defined in terms which are consistent with the Employer's obligations
under Sub-Clause 2.1. Under the first sentence of Sub-Clause 4.23, the
Contractor may (subject to consent) obtain other working areas. They are not
stated as becoming part of the Site, because such a provision would be
inconsistent with the Employer's obligations in respect of the Site.
Under CONS or P&DB, the adjective "Unforeseeable" is defined in terms which
refer to "an experienced contractor". Although the Contractor should have the
relevant experience, the definition does not refer to what he (as, arguably, an
experienced contractor) claims to have foreseen, or to what anyone foresaw. It
refers to what was "reasonably foreseeable". In practice, he may not (for whatever
reason) have foreseen what was not "Unforeseeable"; or he may encounter an
unusual phenomenon which was Unforeseeable (i.e., by experienced contractors)
despite it being foreseeable by the world's expert in such matters.
Under EPCT, the risk of many types of unforeseeable situations is retained by the
Contractor, so no such adjective needs to be defined.
Under P&DB or EPCT, a Variation is defined as any change to the Employer's
Requirements or Works, the change having been instructed or approved under
Clause 13. Therefore, the General Conditions do not contain provisions
empowering the Engineer or Employer's Representative to change matters which
are to be specified in the Employer's Requirements: tests, for example. Clause 13
specifies the procedures for amending anything specified in the Employer's
Requirements. It is advisable to seek prior agreement of the consequences of
each Variation, especially if it affects the scope or purpose of the Works.
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.2 Interpretation
In the Contract, except where the context requires
otherwise:
(a) words indicating one gender include all
genders;
otherwise:
genders;
otherwise:
genders;

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(b) words indicating the singular also include the
plural and words indicating the plural also
include the singular;
(c) provisions including the word “agree”,
“agreed” or “agreement” require the
agreement to be recorded in writing, and
(d) “written” or “in writing” means hand-written,
type-written, printed or electronically made,
and resulting in a permanent record.
The marginal words and other headings shall not be
taken into consideration in the interpretation of
these Conditions.
“agreed" or “agreement” require the
these Conditions
“agreed" or “agreement” require the
these Conditions.
These principles of interpretation apply to each part of the contract
documents.
(a) The first sub-paragraph refers to the genders (masculine, feminine, neuter),
and takes account of grammatical variations between some of the various
languages which may be used as contract languages.
(b) Where a reference is intended to relate to either singular or plural (but not
both), the references have to be expressed clearly. For example, the word
"both" indicates that only the plural applies.
(c) An "agreement" must be written, but it does not need to be subject to Sub-
Clause 1.3.
(d) All “written” communications, including those covered by Sub-Clause
1.3(a), must result in a permanent record.
The headings and marginal sub-headings are inserted for the convenience of the
reader, and are not intended to affect the meaning of the text.
RB 1.2 &1.4; YB 1.2-1.4; OB 1.2, 1.3 & 1.8
CONS P&DB EPCT
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.3 Communications
Wherever these Conditions provide for the giving or
issuing of approvals, certificates, consents,
determinations, notices and requests, these
communications shall be:
(a) in writing and delivered by hand (against
receipt), sent by mail or courier, or
transmitted using any of the agreed systems

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of electronic transmission as stated in the
Appendix to Tender; and
(b) delivered, sent or transmitted to the address
for the recipient’s communications as stated
in the Appendix to Tender. However:
(i) if the recipient gives notice of another
address, communications shall thereafter
be delivered accordingly; and
(ii) if the recipient has not stated otherwise
when requesting an approval or consent,
it may be sent to the address from which
the request was issued.
Approvals, certificates, consents and
determinations shall not be unreasonably withheld
or delayed. When a certificate is issued to a Party,
the certifier shall send a copy to the other Party.
When a notice is issued to a Party, by the other
Party or the Engineer, a copy shall be sent to the
Engineer or the other Party, as the case may be.
Appendix to Tender; and
in the Appendix to Tender. However:
Approvals, certificates, consents and
determinations shall not be unreasonably withheld
or delayed. When a certificate is issued to a Party,
the certifier shall send a copy to the other Party.
When a notice is issued to a Party, by the other
Party or the Engineer, a copy shall be sent to the
Engineer or the other Party, as the case may be.
Particular Conditions; and
in the Contract. However:
Approvals, certificates, consents and determinations
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
Sub-paragraph (a) requires the six types of formal communications to be "in
writing" as described in Sub-Clause 1.2(d). If electronic transmission is acceptable
for these communications, the agreed system(s) is/are to be stated. A possible
procedure would be for the Employer to state his preferred system in the tender
documents, in CONS' or P&DB's Appendix to Tender or EPCT's Particular
Conditions, so that each tenderer knows the system which will be used, unless
the Parties agree otherwise. This sub-paragraph (a) allows the party issuing a
communication to decide upon the method of transmission, namely by hand, mail,
courier or electronic.
Sub-paragraph (b) specifies where the six types of formal communications are to
be delivered, sent or transmitted, with two exceptions:
- a particular type of communication, and/or those from a particular author,
may be required to be sent to a particular recipient (for example,
communications are typically exchanged directly between resident staff on
the Site); and
- irrespective of the normal address for an approval or consent, these types
of communication will be binding if they are sent directly to the person or
office which requested the approval or consent, because of the likelihood
that these types of communications will typically be sent to such person or
office.
The requirement in the final paragraph, for certain communications not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, is not repeated in the many provisions
which refer to these types of communication. The importance of this
requirement, and the serious consequences of non-compliance, should not
be under-estimated.
The effectiveness (or otherwise) of a formal communication, which is sent to an
RB 1.5 & 68; YB 1.5 & 49; OB 1.8
CONS P&DB EPCT

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CONS P&DB EPCT
The law governing the Contract must be stated. The law typically will affect the
interpretation of these Conditions, such that some provisions may have different
consequences in different jurisdictions. The reference to "other jurisdiction" takes
account of the situation in countries with federal systems of government, where a
contract may be governed by the law of a state or other part of the country: USA,
for example.
The ruling language only relates to a part of the Contract for which different
versions have been written in different languages. If any part of the Contract is
written in a language which is not the same as that in which another part is written,
but there is only one language version for each part, there is no need to designate
a "ruling language". However, this situation is not recommended, because of the
need for people who are fluent in all relevant languages.
The language for communications, including for those mentioned in Sub-Clause
1.3, should be stated, particularly if the effect of the last sentence of Sub-Clause
1.4 either is unacceptable, or is unclear because the Contract comprises equally-
sized parts in each language (which could result in disputes).
address (or by a method of transmission) other than as required under Sub-
Clause 1.3, may depend upon such matters as the recipient's subsequent
actions, the consequences of the communication, and the law governing the
Contract.
1.4 Law and Language
The Contract shall be governed by the law of the
country (or other jurisdiction) stated in the Appendix
to Tender.
If there are versions of any part of the Contract
which are written in more than one language, the
version which is in the ruling language stated in the
Appendix to Tender shall prevail.
The language for communications shall be that
stated in the Appendix to Tender. If no language is
stated there, the language for communications shall
be the language in which the Contract (or most of
it) is written.
country (or other jurisdiction) stated in the Appendix
to Tender.
Appendix to Tender shall prevail.
stated in the Appendix to Tender. If no language is
it) is written.
country (or other jurisdiction) stated in the Particular
Conditions.
Particular Conditions shall prevail.
stated in the Particular Conditions. If no language is
it) is written.
RB 5.1; YB 5.1, 5.2 & 51.1; OB 1.4

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The documents forming the Contract are to be
taken as mutually explanatory of one another. For
the purposes of interpretation, the priority of the
documents shall be in accordance with the following
sequence:
(a) the Contract Agreement (if any),
(b) the Letter of Acceptance,
(c) the Letter of Tender,
(d) the Particular Conditions,
(e) these General Conditions,
(f) the Specification,
(g) the Drawings, and
(h) the Schedules and any other documents
forming part of the Contract.
If an ambiguity or discrepancy is found in the
documents, the Engineer shall issue any necessary
clarification or instruction.
The documents forming the Contract are to be taken
as mutually explanatory of one another. For the
purposes of interpretation, the priority of the
sequence:
(a) the Contract Agreement (if any),
(b) the Letter of Acceptance,
(c) the Letter of Tender,
(d) the Particular Conditions,
(e) these General Conditions,
(f) the Employer's Requirements,
(g) the Schedules, and
(h) the Contractor's Proposal and any other
documents forming part of the Contract.
If an ambiguity or discrepancy is found in the
documents, the Engineer shall issue any necessary
clarification or instruction.
The documents forming the Contract are to be
taken as mutually explanatory of one another. For
the purposes of interpretation, the priority of the
sequence:
(a) the Contract Agreement,
(b) the Particular Conditions,
(c) these General Conditions,
(d) the Employer's Requirements,
(e) the Tender and any other documents forming
part of the Contract.
already been found in the documents comprising the Contract.
The Particular Conditions have priority over (and typically amend) the provisions in
FIDIC's General Conditions. Although this priority has the effect of making words
such as "unless otherwise stated in the Particular Conditions" legally unnecessary,
these words are included in the General Conditions in order to assist users in the
identification of circumstances in which some provisions in the General Conditions
may need to be reviewed when writing the Particular Conditions.
The priority of the documents listed below the Conditions of Contract is based on
In order to resolve apparent inconsistencies or contradictions, in cases where the
same subject-matter is covered several times in different parts of the Contract,
this Sub-Clause provides an order of precedence of the documents. The Sub-
Clause states that the listed priority applies for the purposes of interpretation.
Words such as "ambiguity" or "discrepancy" are not mentioned as pre-conditions
for the applicability of the list. It therefore applies whenever necessary for the
purposes of interpretation.
The Contract Agreement has the highest priority, so it should include the
clarification (and hence the removal) of any ambiguity or discrepancy which has
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.5 Priority of Documents
RB 5.2; YB 5.3 & 5.4: OB 1.6

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Requirements contain an imprecise requirement, a tenderer may be able to avoid
the potential problems (which could otherwise arise due to differing interpretations
of such a requirement) by detailing precisely how he has interpreted the imprecise
requirement. In this case, the greater priority given to the imprecise requirement
may be offset by the precision of the Tender proposal which would form part of
the Contract. However, it is preferable to avoid this type of potential disagreement,
by ensuring that the Contract does not contain imprecise requirements. They may,
of course, be included in Instructions to Tenderers as guidance which does not
become part of the Contract.
Under CONS or P&DB, if there is an ambiguity or discrepancy within a particular
contract document, Sub-Clauses 1.5 and 3.3 empower the Engineer to issue a
clarification or instruction. No consequences are stated, because they depend
upon the particular circumstances. If a Variation is instructed, Clause 13 applies.
EPCT 1.5 contains no equivalent power for the Employer to issue a clarification or
instruction. If there is an ambiguity or discrepancy within one of the contract
documents, the Parties should endeavour to reach agreement on how it should
be resolved, which may result in an adjustment to the Contract Price.
Although the General Conditions are stated to have a higher priority than the
documents listed thereafter, provisions in these latter documents have priority
over an inconsistent provision in each of these General Conditions which says
that it applies "unless otherwise stated in the Contract": for example, see Sub-
Clause 1.8.
The Parties shall enter into a Contract Agreement
within 28 days after the Contractor receives the
Letter of Acceptance, unless they agree otherwise.
The Contract Agreement shall be based upon the
form annexed to the Particular Conditions. The costs
of stamp duties and similar charges (if any) imposed
by law in connection with entry into the Contract
Agreement shall be borne by the Employer.
The Parties shall enter into a Contract Agreement
within 28 days after the Contractor receives the
Letter of Acceptance, unless they agree otherwise.
The Contract Agreement shall be based upon the
form annexed to the Particular Conditions. The costs
The Contract shall come into full force and effect on
the date stated in the Contract Agreement. The costs
the principle that the Employer's documents should have priority over the
Contractor's documents. Tenderers should be aware of the effects of this latter
principle, and should emphasise any non-compliance. For example, if a tenderer
provides details which are inconsistent with the requirements specified in a
document having a higher priority, it is these latter specified requirements which
will have priority and thus be binding on the Contractor.
It might seem unfair or incorrect for the Employer to thus be able to impose his
requirements in circumstances where the tenderer provided details of his conflicting
proposals, for the Employer to verify. However, giving priority to tenderer's proposals
would have exposed the Employer to the possibility that the non-compliance was
difficult to detect prior to award of the Contract. By giving priority to the Employer's
documents, Sub-Clause 1.5 puts tenderers on notice that Employer's requirements
are obligations, except to the extent that a non-compliance is mentioned in the
Letter of Tender and thus brought to the Employer's attention. In this case, the
Employer may regard this non-compliance as being part of a non-responsive and
thus unacceptable Tender; or he may consider the non-compliance acceptable and
incorporate it into the Contract by mentioning it in CONS' or P&DB's Letter of
Acceptance or in the Contract Agreement.
Under P&DB or EPCT, the Contractor takes the financial risk arising from the
lump-sum pricing of the works which he designs. The Contractor may therefore
wish to include many details in his Tender proposals. If any of these details do not
comply with the Employer's Requirements, Sub-Clause 1.5 resolves the problem
in favour of the Employer, as described above. However, if the Employer's
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.6 Contract Agreement
RB 9; YB 9; OB 1.5

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Under CONS or P&DB, the Contract will ordinarily come into effect when the
Letter of Acceptance is issued. The Parties may then agree not to enter into a
Contract Agreement. Even if the applicable law does not necessitate a Contract
Agreement, the latter is often considered advisable, in order to record what
constitutes the Contract. A hasty award may, for example, give rise to problems
(if a dispute arises) over the meaning and inter-relationship of post-tender pre-
award communications. Although neither Party can change the Contract, they
should be able to agree how their previous communications may be consolidated
into coherent documentation. However, CONS/P&DB 1.1.1.3 allows for the
possibility that there may be no Letter of Acceptance, in which case the Parties
must sign a Contract Agreement in order to establish a binding Contract.
Under EPCT, the Contract comes into effect on the date stated in the Contract
Agreement. It defines the Contract, and is required to define the Contract Price in
accordance with EPCT 1.1.4.1 and EPCT 14.15. The Contract Agreement must
state the name of each Party, the Contract Price, the currencies of payment, the
amount due in each currency, and any pre-conditions which are to be satisfied
before the Contract becomes effective.
The Contract Agreement is to be based upon the form annexed to the Particular
Conditions, as issued to tenderers. When writing the tender documents, the
Employer should take the Example Form at the end of each Book into account,
together with any particular requirements of which he is then aware.
When the Contract Agreement is prepared, the form annexed to the Particular
Conditions should be updated to reflect what the Parties actually agree. Any
ambiguity or discrepancy within or between any contract document(s) should be
resolved, typically in a memorandum annexed to the Contract Agreement. If
lengthy tender negotiations were necessary, it may be considered advisable for
the Contract Agreement to record the Base Date and/or Commencement Date.
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.7 Assignment
Neither Party shall assign the whole or any part of
the Contract or any benefit or interest in or under
the Contract. However, either Party:
(a) may assign the whole or any part with the
prior agreement of the other Party, at the sole
discretion of such other Party, and
(b) may, as security in favour of a bank or financial
institution, assign its right to any moneys due,
or to become due, under the Contract.
or to become due, under the Contract.
or to become due, under the Contract
RB 3; YB 3
Neither Party is allowed to transfer any or all of its obligations or rights under the
Contract, except
- with the agreement of the other Party and at its sole discretion, and/or
- in respect of payments due to it, which may be assigned in favour of its
source of finance.
The Employer will typically have taken account of the Contractor's reputation and
experience when deciding to enter into the Contract, even if there was no
prequalification procedure. Having done so, the Employer may well be reluctant to
agree to any assignment under Sub-Clause 1.7. If he is persuaded to do so, the
Employer may only be prepared to agree subject to certain conditions. In
particular, the Employer will wish to ensure that the Performance Security and

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although this right is subject to any limitations prescribed in Sub-Clause
4.4, and/or
- assigning to his insurers the Contractor's legal right to obtain relief against
third parties, where the insurers have discharged the Contractor's loss or
liability. Sub-Clause 1.7 only refers to benefits and interests in or under the
Contract, and not to other legal rights.
The Specification and Drawings shall be in the
custody and care of the Employer. Unless otherwise
stated in the Contract, two copies of the Contract
and of each subsequent Drawing shall be supplied
to the Contractor, who may make or request further
copies at the cost of the Contractor.
Each of the Contractor’s Documents shall be in the
custody and care of the Contractor, unless and until
taken over by the Employer. Unless otherwise
stated in the Contract, the Contractor shall supply
to the Engineer six copies of each of the
Contractor’s Documents.
The Contractor shall keep, on the Site, a copy of
the Contract, publications named in the
Specification, the Contractor’s Documents (if any),
the Drawings and Variations and other commun-
ications given under the Contract. The Employer’s
Personnel shall have the right of access to all these
documents at all reasonable times.
If a Party becomes aware of an error or defect of a
technical nature in a document which was prepared
for use in executing the Works, the Party shall promptly
give notice to the other Party of such error or defect.
Each of the Contractor's Documents shall be in the
to the Engineer six copies of each of the
Contractor's Documents.
the Contract, publications named in the Employer's
Requirements, the Contractor's Documents, and
Variations and other communications given under
the Contract. The Employer's Personnel shall have
the right of access to all these documents at all
reasonable times.
Each of the Contractor's Documents shall be in the
to the Employer six copies of each of the
Contractor's Documents.
the Contract, publications named in the Employer's
Requirements, the Contractor's Documents, and
Variations and other communications given under
the Contract. The Employer's Personnel shall have
the right of access to all these documents at all
reasonable times.
other securities provided by the assigning Contractor will either be replaced or
remain valid in respect of both the assigning Contractor's obligations and the new
Contractor's obligations. It is advisable to take legal advice before seeking or
agreeing to an assignment.
However, Sub-Clause 1.7 does not prevent the Contractor:
- subcontracting (not "assigning") the execution of parts of the Works,
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.8 Care and Supply of Documents
RB 6.1, 6.2 & 8.1; OB 1.7 & 1.9

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The Contractor is responsible for the custody and care of each of the Contractor's
Documents until it is taken over by the Employer. Typically, each of the
Contractor's Documents will be "taken over" when issued by the Contractor to the
Employer or (under CONS or P&DB) to the Engineer. Contractor's Documents are
thus taken over on dates other than those which are to be stated in Taking-Over
Certificates, issued under the procedure specified in Clause 10. It relates to the
taking over of the Works, not to the taking over of Contractor's Documents.
The Contractor is required to supply six copies of each of the Contractor's
Documents. Note that the General Conditions do not specify which design
documents are to be supplied, so Sub-Clause 1.8 does not require the Contractor
to supply any particular document. It merely requires the submission of
documents (as specified elsewhere in the Contract) to be made in six copies;
unless otherwise stated in the Contract.
Whenever a Party becomes aware of a technical error or defect in a document, it
is required to notify the other Party, and the law may also impose this duty. The
document has to have been prepared for use in executing the Works, but it may
have been prepared by (or on behalf of) the notifying Party, the Party being
notified, or (possibly) another party. The General Conditions are not intended to
impose, on the recipient of another Party's document, any duty of care owed to
the Party in respect of the discovery of errors or defects, but such a duty may be
implied under the applicable law.
Note that Sub-Clause 1.8 only refers to errors and defects of a technical nature,
and not to those of a financial or other nature.
CONS
CONS 1.9 Delayed Drawings or Instructions
The Contractor shall give notice to the Engineer
whenever the Works are likely to be delayed or
disrupted if any necessary drawing or instruction is
not issued to the Contractor within a particular time,
which shall be reasonable. The notice shall include
details of the necessary drawing or instruction,
details of why and by when it should be issued, and
details of the nature and amount of the delay or
disruption likely to be suffered if it is late.
If the Contractor suffers delay and/or incurs Cost as
a result of a failure of the Engineer to issue the
notified drawing or instruction within a time which is
reasonable and is specified in the notice with
supporting details, the Contractor shall give a further
notice to the Engineer and shall be entitled subject
to Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor’s Claims ] to:
(a) an extension of time for any such delay, if
completion is or will be delayed, under Sub-
Clause 8.4 [ Extension of Time for
Completion ], and

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(b) payment of any such Cost plus reasonable
profit, which shall be included in the Contract
Price.
After receiving this further notice, the Engineer shall
proceed in accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5
[ Determinations ] to agree or determine these
matters.
However, if and to the extent that the Engineer’s
failure was caused by any error or delay by the
Contractor, including an error in, or delay in the
submission of, any of the Contractor’s Documents,
the Contractor shall not be entitled to such
extension of time, Cost or profit.
CONS
RB 6.3 - 6.5
The Engineer may be expected to administer the Contract so as to anticipate
these requirements for a drawing or instruction, and issue them without awaiting
notice under Sub-Clause 1.9. However, it recognises the possibility of a
requirement which the Engineer has not anticipated or has been prevented from
issuing, for whatever reason.
The Contractor is required to give the Engineer reasonable notice of the
necessary drawing or instruction, and not demand all details at the
Commencement Date. However, he may (for example) need to make early
arrangements for the manufacture of certain items of Temporary Works, so as to
have them available when required, and he may therefore need to have sufficient
details of parts of the Permanent Works for these Temporary Works to be
designed and manufactured well in advance of the time when these parts of the
Permanent Works will be executed.
The notice must include the details specified in the second sentence of the Sub-
Clause, to which the notice may specifically refer. In many cases, the notice may
request a "drawing or instruction", so that the Engineer can consider which
document is appropriate. Upon receiving a notice, the Engineer should
immediately acknowledge having received it, comment upon the extent (if any) to
which it does not include the details specified in the second sentence of this Sub-
Clause, and indicate the actions which he intends to take. Under Sub-Clause 1.3,
the notice must be in writing and copied to the Employer.
If the Engineer fails to issue the notified drawing or instruction, the Contractor may
give the further notice described in the second paragraph of Sub-Clause 1.9. The
first sentence of Clause 20 requires this further notice to be given within 28 days
after the event or circumstance giving rise to the claim, which may be the non-
receipt of the drawing or instruction by the "time which is reasonable and is
specified in the notice with supporting details", in accordance with the second
paragraph of Sub-Clause 1.9. The Contractor is then entitled to an extension of
time under Sub-Clause 8.4 and to payment of Cost and profit (because the
Employer is responsible for the Engineer's failure).
Sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) describe the Contractor's entitlements in terms which
are used elsewhere in the General Conditions. See the Table in this Guide at the
end of the commentary on Clause 3, and also the commentaries on Sub-Clauses
8.4 and 20.1.

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P&DB 1.9 Errors in the Employer’s Requirements
P&DB
a result of an error in the Employer's Requirements,
and an experienced contractor exercising due care
would not have discovered the error when
scrutinising the Employer's Requirements under
Sub-Clause 5.1 [ General Design Obligations ], the
Contractor shall give notice to the Engineer and
shall be entitled subject to Sub-Clause 20.1
[ Contractor's Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
Price.
After receiving this notice, the Engineer shall
[ Determinations ] to agree or determine (i) whether
and (if so) to what extent the error could not
reasonably have been so discovered, and (ii) the
matters described in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b)
above related to this extent.
YB 7.2 & 30.9
By signing the Letter of Tender proposed in P&DB's Example Form, the tenderer
asserts that he has ascertained that the Employer's Requirements and other
tender documents contain no errors or other defects. This assertion will be limited
in effect, insofar as the tenderer has had limited time and cannot ensure that there
are no such errors or defects. The third paragraph of Sub-Clause 5.1 therefore
requires the Contractor to scrutinise the Employer's Requirements again, and
notify the Engineer of any error, fault or other defect within the period stated in the
Appendix to Tender. This period should be sufficient for the Contractor and his
designer(s) to carry out a thorough check.
Thereafter, there remains the possibility that the Employer's Requirements are
found to contain an error which could not previously have been discovered by an
experienced contractor exercising due care. In this event, the Contractor may
give the notice described in Sub-Clause 1.9. The first sentence of Clause 20
requires this notice to be given within 28 days after the event or circumstance
giving rise to the claim, which may be the discovery of the error. Under Sub-

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Sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) describe the Contractor's entitlements in terms which are
used elsewhere in the General Conditions. See the Table in this Guide at the end of
the commentary on Clause 3, and also the commentaries on Sub-Clauses 8.4 & 20.1.
Both Parties shall treat the details of the Contract as
private and confidential, except to the extent
necessary to carry out obligations under it or to
comply with applicable Laws. The Contractor shall
not publish, permit to be published, or disclose any
particulars of the Works in any trade or technical
paper or elsewhere without the previous agreement
of the Employer.
Clause 1.3, the notice must be in writing and copied to the Employer. The
Contractor is then entitled to an extension of time under Sub-Clause 8.4 and to
payment of Cost and profit.
EPCT
EPCT 1.9 Confidentiality
disclosure to the Employer of details which the Contractor may wish to keep
confidential. The text of EPCT 1.9 is generally required for EPCT contracts, and
may also be included in the Particular Conditions for many CONS or P&DB
contracts.
The details of the Contract are required to be confidential, but Laws may require
the release of some information to tax officials and other statutory authorities.
EPCT 1.9 covers this confidentiality of the Contract documentation and prohibits
the publication of any particulars of the Works, whereas EPCT 1.12 covers the
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.10 Employer’s Use of Contractor’s Documents
As between the Parties, the Contractor shall retain
the copyright and other intellectual property rights in
the Contractor’s Documents and other design
documents made by (or on behalf of) the
Contractor.
The Contractor shall be deemed (by signing the
Contract) to give to the Employer a non-terminable
transferable non-exclusive royalty-free licence to
copy, use and communicate the Contractor’s
Documents, including making and using
modifications of them. This licence shall:
the Contractor's Documents and other design
Contractor.
copy, use and communicate the Contractor's
the Contractor's Documents and other design
Contractor.
copy, use and communicate the Contractor's

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(a) apply throughout the actual or intended
working life (whichever is longer) of the
relevant parts of the Works,
(b) entitle any person in proper possession of the
relevant part of the Works to copy, use and
communicate the Contractor’s Documents for
the purposes of completing, operating,
maintaining, altering, adjusting, repairing and
demolishing the Works, and
(c) in the case of Contractor’s Documents which
are in the form of computer programs and
other software, permit their use on any
computer on the Site and other places as
envisaged by the Contract, including
replacements of any computers supplied by
the Contractor.
The Contractor’s Documents and other design
Contractor shall not, without the Contractor’s
consent, be used, copied or communicated to a
third party by (or on behalf of) the Employer for
purposes other than those permitted under this
Sub-Clause
communicate the Contractor's Documents
for the purposes of completing, operating,
(c) in the case of Contractor's Documents which
the Contractor.
The Contractor's Documents and other design
Contractor shall not, without the Contractor's
Sub-Clause.
communicate the Contractor's Documents
for the purposes of completing, operating,
(c) in the case of Contractor's Documents which
the Contractor.
The Contractor's Documents and other design
Contractor shall not, without the Contractor's
Sub-Clause
CONS P&DB EPCT
YB 6.7; OB 1.10
Copyright is the intellectual property right of an originator to control the copying
and use of his intellectual work. Generally, contracts which include the
preparation of original designs should clarify the intellectual property rights
(copyright) of the Parties, including the extent to which each Party may use the
design which the contract requires the other Party to provide.
Sub-Clauses 1.10 and 1.11 set out the FIDIC policy, namely that designers
should be able to retain the copyrights to their designs, and their clients should
be able to use their designs for the purposes envisaged at the inception of the
project. The phrase "as between the Parties" is inserted so that other parties
(such as Subcontractors) may themselves retain intellectual property rights in
respect of their designs, under their respective design contracts.
Contractor's Documents include a variety of design documents (see 1.1.6.1),
including computer software (programs), models, operation and maintenance
manuals, and other manuals and information of a similar nature. When preparing
the tender documents, the Employer may wish to consider the future uses of
these documents. For example, certain projects may involve writing computer
software which cannot be guaranteed free of errors, so specific warranties and/or
access to source code may be appropriate.

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The Contractor's consent (mentioned in the final paragraph) must be given in
writing, and is not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, in accordance with
Sub-Clause 1.3. It may be reasonable for the Contractor to withhold consent if the
Employer declines to accept reasonable conditions in respect of secrecy and/or
of restrictions on use.
Under P&DB or EPCT, amendments to the Sub-Clause may be required, taking
account of the Country's law, if:
- the Employer will require more use of the Contractor's Documents than as
permitted in this Sub-Clause: the Contractor should then be indemnified
from liability which might arise from inappropriate use, namely for a purpose
not envisaged by the designer;
- the Contractor's Documents will include computer software (programs)
which the Employer will use other than as permitted in this Sub-Clause; or
- operation of the Works is subject to a process licence: see comments on
Sub-Clause 17.5.
The Sub-Clause only entitles the Employer to use the "Contractor's Documents",
which are the documents which the Contract requires the Contractor to supply.
Sub-Clause 1.10 does not entitle the Employer to use documents which are not
the "Contractor's Documents", even though they may have been supplied by the
Contractor. Although the first and final paragraphs of Sub-Clause 1.10 refer to the
copyright and use of "other design documents", and the second paragraph of
P&DB/EPCT 5.2 refers to "other documents necessary", the second paragraph of
Sub-Clause 1.10 only refers to the Contractor's Documents.
The Employer is entitled to use the Contractor's Documents for the Works, but
he is not entitled to use them for other purposes. Unless the Contractor
consents, the Employer is not entitled to use the Contractor's Documents for the
provision of similar works, on the Site or elsewhere. In particular, if a further stage
or expansion of the Works is executed, the Contractor's Documents may be
used as records of construction in order to determine the details of the existing
facilities, but should not be used as working drawings for construction of
identical facilities.
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.11 Contractor’s Use of Employer’s Documents
As between the Parties, the Employer shall retain
the copyright and other intellectual property rights
in the Specification, the Drawings and other
documents made by (or on behalf of) the Employer.
The Contractor may, at his cost, copy, use, and
obtain communication of these documents for the
purposes of the Contract. They shall not, without
the Employer’s consent, be copied, used or
communicated to a third party by the Contractor,
except as necessary for the purposes of the
Contract.
in the Employer’s Requirements and other
Contract.
in the Employer’s Requirements and other
Contract.
RB 6.1; YB 6.8; OB 1.11
Sub-Clause 1.11 mirrors 1.10. The Employer is given rights, in respect of the
documents he provides to the Contractor, which are similar to those which the
Contractor receives in respect of the documents he provides. The phrase "as
between the Parties" is inserted so that other parties (such as the Employer's

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withheld or delayed, in accordance with Sub-Clause 1.3. It may be reasonable for
the Employer to withhold consent if the Contractor declines to accept reasonable
conditions in respect of secrecy and/or of restrictions on use.
Personnel) may themselves retain intellectual property rights in respect of their
designs, under their respective design contracts.
The Employer's consent must be given in writing, and is not to be unreasonably
The Contractor shall disclose all such confidential
and other information as the Engineer may
reasonably require in order to verify the Contractor’s
compliance with the Contract.
The Contractor shall disclose all such confidential
and other information as the Engineer may
reasonably require in order to verify the Contractor’s
compliance with the Contract.
The Contractor shall not be required to disclose, to
the Employer, any information which the Contractor
described in the Tender as being confidential. The
Contractor shall disclose any other information
which the Employer may reasonably require in order
to verify the Contractor’s compliance with the
Contract.
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.12 Confidential Details
Although the Employer might like to have all details of the Plant and other parts of
the Works which are going to be supplied to him, the Contractor and
Subcontractors will wish to keep confidential certain processes which they regard
as trade secrets.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Contractor discloses information reasonably required
by the Engineer, except to the extent (if any) to which disclosure may be precluded
under a part of the Contract having priority over these Conditions.
Under EPCT, the Contractor discloses information reasonably required by the
Employer, except to the extent (if any) to which the tenderer has, in his Tender,
classified specific types of information as being confidential.
YB 6.9; OB 1.12
CONS P&DB EPCT
1.13 Compliance with Statutes, Regulations and Laws
The Contractor shall, in performing the Contract,
comply with applicable Laws. Unless otherwise
stated in the Particular Conditions:
(a) the Employer shall have obtained (or shall
obtain) the planning, zoning or similar
permission for the Permanent Works, and
any other permissions described in the
Specification as having been (or being)
Employer's Requirements as having been (or
Employer's Requirements as having been (or

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RB 26; YB 15, 17.4 & 48.1; OB 1.13
Under the Contract, the Employer has appointed the Contractor to execute the
Works. Under this Sub-Clause, the Contractor must comply with applicable Laws:
including (but not limited to) the Laws of the Country. Although the Employer might
seem only to be directly concerned with compliance with the Country's Laws, this
Sub-Clause makes the Contractor liable for the consequences of his breach of any
applicable Laws, as defined in Sub-Clause 1.1.6.5.
If certain Laws specifically relate to the Works, the Employer might wish to
consider drawing them to the attention of tenderers, and/or dealing with their
effects in the Contract. For example, major works may require legislation before
construction can begin, and/or may require various agreements with other
affected parties and/or countries. This is not to suggest that the Employer needs
to list out all relevant legislation for the convenience of tenderers or the Contractor.
If the Employer only lists some of the relevant legislation, the limited extent of the
list should be stated, for avoidance of doubt.
The sub-paragraphs contain general conditions which may or may not be
applicable for a particular Contract. They cannot refer precisely to Country-
specific requirements, which should be specified in the Particular Conditions.
Also, these Conditions prescribe future obligations, and do not advise Parties on
pre-contract procedures. Tenderers will need to know what permits and licenses
have already been obtained by the Employer.
Like many Sub-Clauses in the General Conditions, the second sentence indicates
that the Particular Conditions may include exceptions to the general provisions
contained in the sub-paragraphs. These exceptions would typically name the legal
obligations, including permissions, notices, taxes and/or fees, required by (and using
the authentic names as stated in) the applicable Laws, if these general provisions
seem inapplicable. The Particular Conditions may therefore need to specify, in respect
of each of these legal obligations imposed by the Country's Laws:
(a) with which legal obligation has the Employer already complied (tenderers
may need copies of documents evidencing the Employer's compliance),
(b) which Party will be responsible for complying with each other legal
obligation, and/or
(c) what (if any) arrangements are to be made by the other Party, the one not
responsible under (b).
In his own interests, the Employer should complete any procedures which can be
completed prior to the Contract becoming effective, and include details in
accordance with sub-paragraph (a). In order to encourage tenderers and also
minimise delay to the project, the Employer should apply for all essential licences
which can be procured prior to inviting tenders. Tenderers may be reluctant to
incur expense in the preparation of their tenders if they are uncertain whether
statutory requirements can be satisfied, and there may also be time-related
constraints.
obtained by the Employer; and the Employer
shall indemnify and hold the Contractor
harmless against and from the consequences
of any failure to do so; and
(b) the Contractor shall give all notices, pay all
taxes, duties and fees, and obtain all permits,
licences and approvals, as required by the
Laws in relation to the execution and
completion of the Works and the remedying
of any defects; and the Contractor shall
indemnify and hold the Employer harmless
against and from the consequences of any
failure to do so.
being) obtained by the Employer; and the
Employer shall indemnify and hold the
Contractor harmless against and from the
consequences of any failure to do so; and
Laws in relation to the design, execution and
failure to do so.
being) obtained by the Employer; and the
Employer shall indemnify and hold the
Contractor harmless against and from the
consequences of any failure to do so; and
Laws in relation to the design, execution and
failure to do so.

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CONS P&DB EPCT
1.14 Joint and Several Liability
If the Contractor constitutes (under applicable
Laws) a joint venture, consortium or other unincorp-
orated grouping of two or more persons:
(a) these persons shall be deemed to be jointly
and severally liable to the Employer for the
performance of the Contract;
(b) these persons shall notify the Employer of
their leader who shall have authority to bind
the Contractor and each of these persons;
and
(c) the Contractor shall not alter its composition
or legal status without the prior consent of
the Employer.
and
the Employer.
and
the Employer.
OB 1.14
Sub-Clause 1.14 provides the minimum appropriate provisions, requiring each of
the members of the joint venture or consortium to be fully liable and to appoint
and empower a leader, and giving the Employer some protection from changes in
the status of the joint venture or consortium.
Under Sub-Clause 1.3, the Employer's consent to the joint venture's new
composition or legal status must not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.

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CONS P&DB EPCT
The Employer shall give the Contractor right of access
to, and possession of, all parts of the Site within the
time (or times) stated in the Appendix to Tender. The
right and possession may not be exclusive to the
Contractor. If, under the Contract, the Employer is
required to give (to the Contractor) possession of any
foundation, structure, plant or means of access, the
Employer shall do so in the time and manner stated in
the Specification. However, the Employer may
withhold any such right or possession until the
Performance Security has been received.
If no such time is stated in the Appendix to Tender,
the Employer shall give the Contractor right of
access to, and possession of, the Site within such
times as may be required to enable the Contractor
to proceed in accordance with the programme
submitted under Sub-Clause 8.3 [ Programme ].
If the Contractor suffers delay and/or incurs Cost as a
result of a failure by the Employer to give any such
right or possession within such time, the Contractor
shall give notice to the Engineer and shall be entitled
subject to Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor’s Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
(b) payment of any such Cost plus reasonable profit,
which shall be included in the Contract Price.
After receiving this notice, the Engineer shall proceed
in accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ]
to agree or determine these matters.
time (or times) stated in the Appendix to Tender. The
the Employer’s Requirements. However, the Employer
may withhold any such right or possession until the
If no such time is stated in the Appendix to Tender,
access to, and possession of, the Site within such
times as may be required to enable the Contractor
to proceed in accordance with the programme
submitted under Sub-Clause 8.3 [ Programme ].
shall give notice to the Engineer and shall be entitled
subject to Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor’s Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
time (or times) stated in the Particular Conditions. The
the Employer's Requirements. However, the Employer
may withhold any such right or possession until the
If no such time is stated in the Particular Conditions,
access to, and possession of, the Site with effect
shall give notice to the Employer and shall be entitled
subject to Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
which shall be added to the Contract Price.
After receiving this notice, the Employer shall proceed
2.1 Right of Access to the Site
Clause 2 The Employer

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However, if and to the extent that the Employer’s
However, if and to the extent that the Employer's
submission of, any of the Contractor's Documents,
However, if and to the extent that the Employer’s
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 42.1 & 42.2; YB 17.1 &17.3; OB 2.2
The Employer is required to make the Site available to the Contractor within a
prescribed time, which is to be stated in CONS' or P&DB's Appendix to Tender or
in EPCT's Particular Conditions. Unless otherwise stated therein, the Contractor
will be entitled to occupy all of the Site from the end of the prescribed period of
time, but the second sentence of the Sub-Clause states that other parties may
also have right of access to, and possession of, the Site. The work to be carried
out by these other parties should be described in the tender documents, so that
tenderers may anticipate the consequences.
Under CONS or P&DB, the second paragraph specifies that, if no such prescribed
time is so stated, the Employer is required to make the Site available within the
times required to enable the Contractor to proceed as shown in the programme
submitted under Sub-Clause 8.3. This situation may arise if the Employer requires
tenderers to insert the time, but the preferred tenderer failed to do so. Alternatively,
the Employer may have omitted reference to this time, although the tenderers
might have sought clarification of such an omission. The reference to the required
times (in the plural) means that the Employer may make the various parts of the
Site available at different times. Finally, it should be noted that, in the
circumstances described in the second paragraph, the Contractor's entitlement
to enter the Site is related to the programme under Sub-Clause 8.3, so he may
wish to submit his programme sooner than is required under Sub-Clause 8.3.
Under EPCT, the second paragraph specifies that, if no such prescribed time is
so stated, the Employer is required to make the Site available on the
Commencement Date. This provision prevents the Employer's obligations being
dependant upon a post-contract document.
Under P&DB or EPCT, it may be unnecessary for the Contractor to be given early
access to the Site for the delivery of the Contractor's Equipment, but he may
require early access in order to carry out surveys and other investigations.
The Employer is only required to grant the Contractor the "right" of access to the
Site, it being assumed that there is a route along which access either is already
physically practicable or can be constructed by the Contractor. Sub-Clause 2.1
does not entitle the Contractor to an access route suitable for his transport,
except to the extent that a "means of access" under its third sentence may have
been specified elsewhere in the Contract. Under Sub-Clause 4.15, the Contractor
is deemed to have satisfied himself on this matter, subject to the same extent (if
any) that a "means of access" is specified. In other words, the practical difficulties
in getting to and from the Site are to be solved by the Contractor.
If the Site is totally surrounded by land owned by third parties, the Contract should
clarify how the Contractor is to be granted right of access across their lands.
Non-availability of the Site constitutes a substantial failure and entitles the Contractor
to terminate the Contract under CONS/P&DB 16.2 (d) or EPCT 16.2 (c).
Less serious failures to make the Site available to the Contractor as described in
the Contract, including failures to make parts available in the manner mentioned
in the third sentence of Sub-Clause 2.1, entitle the Contractor to compensation.
In any of these events, the Contractor may give the notice described in the third
paragraph of Sub-Clause 2.1. The first sentence of Clause 20 requires this notice
to be given within 28 days after the event or circumstance giving rise to the claim,
which may be the non-availability on the prescribed time. The Contractor is then
entitled to an extension of time under Sub-Clause 8.4 and to payment of Cost and
profit (profit being included because of the Employer's failure). CONS/P&DB 1.3
requires the Contractor to send a copy of the notice to the Employer.

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the provision of additional areas from which to obtain natural materials (see Sub-
Clause 7.8(a)); or he may need to arrange for the provision of working areas on which
to prefabricate parts of the Works before transporting them to the Site.
The Contractor may also need to carry out work on the additional/working areas
referred to in Sub-Clause 4.23. The Employer is not responsible for these areas, which
do not become part of the Site. For example, the Contractor may need to arrange for
The Employer shall (where he is in a position to do
so) provide reasonable assistance to the Contractor
at the request of the Contractor:
(a) by obtaining copies of the Laws of the
Country which are relevant to the Contract
but are not readily available, and
(b) for the Contractor’s applications for any
permits, licences or approvals required by the
Laws of the Country:
(i) which the Contractor is required to obtain under
Sub-Clause 1.13 [ Compliance with Laws],
(ii) for the delivery of Goods, including
clearance through customs, and
(iii) for the export of Contractor’s Equipment
when it is removed from the Site.
Sub-Clause 1.13 [ Compliance with Laws ],
Sub-Clause 1.13 [ Compliance with Laws ],
CONS P&DB EPCT
2.2 Permits, Licences or Approvals
RB 54.3 & 54.4; YB 17.2, 17.5 & 48.2; OB 2.3
Under the law of the Country, permits, licences or approvals may be required for
the Works, such as for any Contractor's design, imports and exports. For some
of these matters, the Contractor may need reasonable assistance from the
Employer in the preparation and submission of his applications. This "reasonable
assistance" may, for example, comprise authentication of the Contractor's
application documentation, but it would not be reasonable for the Contractor to
expect the Employer to do anything which the Contractor can do himself.
Sub-Clause 2.2 follows the general provisions contained in Sub-Clause 1.13(b), but
Country-specific requirements may need to be specified in the Particular Conditions.
In order to encourage tenderers and also minimise delay to the project, the Employer
should apply for any essential licences which can be procured prior to inviting
tenders. Tenderers may be reluctant to incur expense in the preparation of their
tenders if they are uncertain whether statutory requirements can be satisfied, and
there may also be time-related constraints.
The Employer has no obligations under Sub-Clause 2.2 unless and until he
receives the Contractor's request, which must be in writing in accordance with
Sub-Clause 1.3. The Employer does not then become liable in any way for the
success or otherwise of the applications. Sub-Clause 2.2 does not relieve the
Contractor from his responsibilities under Sub-Clause 1.13 or otherwise, provided
the Employer provides the reasonable assistance requested.

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The Employer shall be responsible for ensuring that
the Employer’s Personnel and the Employer’s other
contractors on the Site:
(a) co-operate with the Contractor’s efforts under
Sub-Clause 4.6 [ Co-operation ], and
(b) take actions similar to those which the
Contractor is required to take under sub-
paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of Sub-Clause 4.8
[ Safety Procedures ] and under Sub-
Clause 4.18 [ Protection of the Environment ].
CONS P&DB EPCT
2.3 Employer’s Personnel
The Employer's Personnel includes CONS' and P&DB's Engineer or EPCT's
Employer's Representative, and his staff. They and contractors are required to co-
operate with the Contractor's co-ordination efforts, and to take certain actions in
respect of safety procedures. The work to be carried out by these other
contractors should be described in the tender documents, and aspects such as
co-ordination and safety may need to be specified.
RB 19.2
The Employer shall submit, within 28 days after
receiving any request from the Contractor,
reasonable evidence that financial arrangements
have been made and are being maintained which
will enable the Employer to pay the Contract Price
(as estimated at that time) in accordance with
Clause 14 [ Contract Price and Payment ]. If the
Employer intends to make any material change to
his financial arrangements, the Employer shall give
notice to the Contractor with detailed particulars.
CONS P&DB EPCT
2.4 Employer’s Financial Arrangements

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CONS P&DB EPCT
2.5 Employer’s Claims
If the Employer considers himself to be entitled to any
payment under any Clause of these Conditions or
otherwise in connection with the Contract, and/or to
any extension of the Defects Notification Period, the
Employer or the Engineer shall give notice and
particulars to the Contractor. However, notice is not
required for payments due under Sub-Clause 4.19
[ Electricity, Water and Gas ], under Sub-Clause 4.20
[ Employer’s Equipment and Free-Issue Material ], or
If the Employer considers himself to be entitled to any
payment under any Clause of these Conditions or
otherwise in connection with the Contract, and/or to
any extension of the Defects Notification Period, the
Employer or the Engineer shall give notice and
particulars to the Contractor. However, notice is not
required for payments due under Sub-Clause 4.19
[ Electricity, Water and Gas ], under Sub-Clause 4.20
[ Employer’s Equipment and Free-Issue Material ], or
If the Employer considers himself to be entitled to
any payment under any Clause of these Conditions
or otherwise in connection with the Contract, and/or
to any extension of the Defects Notification Period,
he shall give notice and particulars to the
Contractor. However, notice is not required for
payments due under Sub-Clause 4.19 [ Electricity,
Water and Gas ], under Sub-Clause 4.20
[ Employer's Equipment and Free-Issue Material ], or
The Employer is required to provide evidence of his financial arrangements when
requested, and may also benefit from providing it when inviting tenders.
The Employer has no obligation under Sub-Clause 2.4 unless and until he receives
the Contractor's request, which must be in writing in accordance with Sub-Clause
1.3. Although no mention is made of the period between receiving the evidence
and issuing the next request, the Contractor would not be able to rely upon the
consequences of a further request being issued within an unreasonably short
period. However, it would be reasonable to issue a request when the estimated
final Contract Price had increased above the amount substantiated by the
evidence which the Employer had submitted previously. Typically, a Variation
would increase the estimated final Contract Price.
The evidence is required to demonstrate the Employer's ability to pay the Contract
Price, which typically would be the estimated final Contract Price at the time of the
request but excluding the effect of adjustments which have not yet become
applicable. For example, it would usually be unreasonable to add a contingency
to allow for the possibility of a future event resulting in an adjustment under Sub-
Clause 13.7. Although future adjustments under Sub-Clause 13.8 could be
assumed to continue at the same adjustment multiplier "Pn" as that for the current
month, the Contractor may not be able to rely upon an alleged failure by the
Employer if his evidence only failed to substantiate an amount calculated using
adjustment multipliers which increase each month, due to inflation.
The evidence is required to demonstrate the Employer's ability to pay in accordance
with Clause 14, including the periods for payment under Sub-Clause 14.7.
The form of the evidence depends upon the sources of the Employer's finances,
and may also (in due course) depend upon the extent to which payments may not
have been made in accordance with Clause 14. If the Employer is a governmental
authority, the evidence may be in the public domain, in which case the request
under Sub-Clause 2.4 may be no more significant than a request under Sub-
Clause 2.2. If an international financial institution is providing part of the Contract
Price, as a loan or a grant, it should have no difficulty providing evidence of these
financial arrangements, and it may be prepared to support the Contractor's
request for evidence of the other financial arrangements which will enable the
Employer to pay the other parts of the Contract Price.
If the Employer anticipates that (because of the Contract's duration, for example)
he will not be able to submit evidence in respect of the whole Contract Price, he
would presumably have limited his obligations by an appropriate amendment in
the Particular Conditions. He may even consider it necessary to delete Sub-
Clause 2.4, especially if he expects tenderers to make their own financial
arrangements. Tenderers would be entitled to be concerned at such deletion of
this Sub-Clause, especially if the Employer had been unable to replace it by some
other form of assurance (GPPC's Annex G, for example).
Sub-Clause 16.1 entitles the Contractor (after 21 days' notice) to suspend work, or
reduce the rate of work, if the Employer fails to submit the evidence requested under
Sub-Clause 2.4. Termination under Sub-Clause 16.2 provides the ultimate remedy.

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for other services requested by the Contractor.
The notice shall be given as soon as practicable after
the Employer became aware of the event or
circumstances giving rise to the claim. A notice
relating to any extension of the Defects Notification
Period shall be given before the expiry of such period.
The particulars shall specify the Clause or other
basis of the claim, and shall include substantiation
of the amount and/or extension to which the
Employer considers himself to be entitled in
connection with the Contract. The Engineer shall
then proceed in accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5
[ Determinations ] to agree or determine (i) the
amount (if any) which the Employer is entitled to be
paid by the Contractor, and/or (ii) the extension (if
any) of the Defects Notification Period in
accordance with Sub-Clause 11.3 [ Extension of
Defects Notification Period ].
This amount may be included as a deduction in
the Contract Price and Payment Certificates. The
Employer shall only be entitled to set off against or
make any deduction from an amount certified in a
Payment Certificate, or to otherwise claim against
the Contractor, in accordance with this Sub-
Clause.
connection with the Contract. The Engineer shall
This amount may be included as a deduction in
the Contract Price and Payment Certificates. The
Employer shall only be entitled to set off against or
make any deduction from an amount certified in a
Payment Certificate, or to otherwise claim against
the Contractor, in accordance with this Sub-
Clause.
connection with the Contract. The Employer shall
The Employer may deduct this amount from any
moneys due, or to become due, to the Contractor.
The Employer shall only be entitled to set off against
or make any deduction from an amount due to the
Contractor, or to otherwise claim against the
Contractor, in accordance with this Sub-Clause or
with sub-paragraph (a) and/or (b) of Sub-Clause
14.6 [ Interim Payments ].
This Sub-Clause prescribes the procedure to be followed by the Employer if he
considers himself to be entitled to any payment under or in connection with the
Contract; or he considers himself to be entitled to an extension of the Defects
Notification Period under Sub-Clause 11.3. The Table in this Guide, at the end of
the commentary on Clause 3, lists the most relevant Sub-Clauses in respect of
each Party's claims against the other Party.
Notice is to be given as soon as practicable, except in respect of any services
which the Contractor requested because he would then not need to be notified.
No time period is specified for notices relating to payment, but the applicable Laws
may do so. A notice relating to an extension must be given before the relevant
Defects Notification Period expires. If the Employer fails to give the notice before such
Period expires, he cannot claim an extension under Sub-Clause 11.3 thereafter.
The notice shall be given in writing (Sub-Clause 1.3) and shall be listed in the
progress report under Sub-Clause 4.21(f). CONS/P&DB 1.3 states that, when a
notice is issued by the Engineer or the Employer, a copy shall be sent to the other.
The Contractor may not need to respond to the notice, other than to acknowledge

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receipt under Sub-Clause 1.3(a). He should not regard the notice as an aggressive
act which must be rebutted, but merely as an act which enables him to be aware
of the Employer's intention to claim. Sub-Clause 4.21(f) requires progress reports
to list all notices which have been given under Sub-Clauses 2.5 and 20.1.
Although the Contractor should respond to the notice if he is aware of factual
errors in the notice, the absence of any rebuttal should not be taken as any
indication of agreement.
Particulars may be given at any time, but excessive delay in their submission may
be construed as an indication that the Employer will not be proceeding with the
notified claim. In order to be effective, the particulars should include the basis of
the claim, with relevant Clause number(s), and detailed substantiation of the
extension and/or payment being claimed. The claim then becomes subject to the
procedure prescribed in Sub-Clause 3.5.
Under CONS 3.5 or P&DB 3.5, the Engineer endeavours to agree and settle the
claim, failing which he is required to make a fair determination. If the claim
included an extension to the Defects Notification Period, the extension then
becomes binding for the purposes of Clause 11, subject to the procedures in
Clause 20 for the resolution of any dispute. In the case of a payment having been
claimed, the Engineer may include it as a deduction in Payment Certificates.
Under Sub-Clause 14.7, the Employer is required to pay the amount certified
(namely, incorporating this deduction), but is not entitled to make any further
deduction. If the Employer considers himself to be entitled to any payment under
or in connection with the Contract, he is thus required to follow the procedure
prescribed in Sub-Clause 2.5, and is not entitled to withhold payment whilst
awaiting the outcome of these procedures.
Under EPCT 3.5, the Employer endeavours to agree and settle the claim. If
agreement is not achieved, he is required to make a fair determination, which
becomes binding unless the Contractor notifies dissatisfaction within 14 days. In
the case of a payment having been claimed and no such notice being given, the
Employer may deduct the determined amount from any moneys otherwise due.
Under EPCT 14.7, the Employer is required to pay the net amount actually due,
and is not simply required to pay the amount which he considers to be due. The
amount actually due may incorporate a deduction to which the Employer is
entitled under the Contract, but not a deduction to which he was not so entitled.
In summary under EPCT, if the Contractor notifies dissatisfaction with a
determination under EPCT 3.5, it is not binding, but the notice does not of itself
prevent the Employer from proceeding in accordance with the determination.
Sub-Clause 2.5 imposes a claims procedure on the Employer, and prohibits him
from making deductions from payments due to the Contractor until the claims
procedure has been followed. Thereafter, the Employer may wish to make
reference to his determination in the notice he gives under the second sentence
of Sub-Clause 14.6.
Under EPCT 14.7(b), the Employer's obligation is stated as being to pay the
amount which "is due", subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 but irrespective of the
Employer's notice under EPCT 14.6 and irrespective of any non-binding
determinations under EPCT 3.5. This amount due may incorporate reductions to
which the Employer is entitled, having claimed compensation from the Contractor
in accordance with Sub-Clause 2.5 and having received no notice of
dissatisfaction. If the Contractor notifies dissatisfaction with the Employer's
determination under the last paragraph of EPCT 3.5:
- the determination is of no effect, and the Employer cannot rely upon it as
entitling him to recover such compensation,
- he must still pay the amount which "is due", irrespective of the Employer's
own determination under Sub-Clause 3.5, and
- the answer to the question as to what amount "is due" may be determined
by reference to the provisions on which the Employer based his claim,
either by agreement or under the dispute resolution procedures described
in Clause 20. For example, the DAB may decide the amount which was
due, having been informed of the (lesser or greater) amount actually paid by
the Employer. If the DAB decides that the Employer had paid less than the
amount which was due under EPCT 14.7(b), the Contractor would be
entitled to financing charges under EPCT 14.8.
In all the Books, Sub-Clause 2.5 requires the Employer to adhere to a claims
procedure, which is specified with less precision than the procedure imposed on
the Contractor (who may be more familiar with preparing claims than many
Employers). It was considered that, if the Employer had to give notice within a
specified period calculated from the date when the Employer was aware of the
event or circumstance giving rise to his claim, such date might be regarded as
being when observant Employer's Personnel should have been aware of a default
by the Contractor, thus unfairly relieving the Contractor of liability. It was also
considered unnecessary to impose time constraints on the giving of particulars,
because it seemed unlikely that the Contractor would be disadvantaged by
belated particulars.

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The Employer shall appoint the Engineer who shall
carry out the duties assigned to him in the Contract.
The Engineer’s staff shall include suitably qualified
engineers and other professionals who are
competent to carry out these duties.
The Engineer shall have no authority to amend the
Contract.
The Engineer may exercise the authority attributable
to the Engineer as specified in or necessarily to be
implied from the Contract. If the Engineer is required
to obtain the approval of the Employer before
exercising a specified authority, the requirements
shall be as stated in the Particular Conditions. The
Employer undertakes not to impose further
constraints on the Engineer’s authority, except as
agreed with the Contractor.
However, whenever the Engineer exercises a
specified authority for which the Employer’s
approval is required, then (for the purposes of the
Contract) the Employer shall be deemed to have
given approval.
Except as otherwise stated in these Conditions:
(a) whenever carrying out duties or exercising
authority, specified in or implied by the
Contract, the Engineer shall be deemed to
act for the Employer;
(b) the Engineer has no authority to relieve either
Party of any duties, obligations or
The Employer shall appoint the Engineer who shall
carry out the duties assigned to him in the Contract.
The Engineer’s staff shall include suitably qualified
engineers and other professionals who are
competent to carry out these duties.
The Engineer shall have no authority to amend the
Contract.
The Engineer may exercise the authority attributable
to the Engineer as specified in or necessarily to be
implied from the Contract. If the Engineer is required
to obtain the approval of the Employer before
exercising a specified authority, the requirements
shall be as stated in the Particular Conditions. The
Employer undertakes not to impose further
constraints on the Engineer’s authority, except as
agreed with the Contractor.
However, whenever the Engineer exercises a
specified authority for which the Employer’s
approval is required, then (for the purposes of the
Contract) the Employer shall be deemed to have
given approval.
(a) whenever carrying out duties or exercising
authority, specified in or implied by the
Contract, the Engineer shall be deemed to
act for the Employer;
(b) the Engineer has no authority to relieve either
Party of any duties, obligations or
The Employer may appoint an Employer's
Representative to act on his behalf under the
Contract. In this event, he shall give notice to the
Contractor of the name, address, duties and
authority of the Employer's Representative.
The Employer's Representative shall carry out the
duties assigned to him, and shall exercise the
authority delegated to him, by the Employer. Unless
and until the Employer notifies the Contractor
otherwise, the Employer's Representative shall be
deemed to have the full authority of the Employer
under the Contract, except in respect of Clause 15
[ Termination by Employer ].
If the Employer wishes to replace any person
appointed as Employer's Representative, the
Employer shall give the Contractor not less than 14
days' notice of the replacement's name, address,
duties and authority, and of the date of
appointment.
CONS P&DB EPCT
3.1 Engineer’s Duties and Authority 3.1 The Employer’s Representative
Clause 3 CONS/P&DB The Engineer
EPCT The Employer’s Administration

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CONS P&DB EPCT
responsibilities under the Contract; and
(c) any approval, check, certificate, consent,
examination, inspection, instruction, notice,
proposal, request, test, or similar act by the
Engineer (including absence of disapproval)
shall not relieve the Contractor from any
responsibility he has under the Contract,
including responsibility for errors, omissions,
discrepancies and non-compliances.
responsibilities under the Contract; and
(c) any approval, check, certificate, consent,
proposal, request, test, or similar act by the
Engineer (including absence of disapproval)
shall not relieve the Contractor from any
discrepancies and non-compliances.
RB 2.1, 7.3, 14.4 & 37.2; YB 2.1, 7.1, 8.2 & 20.2; OB 3.1 & 3.2
If the Employer wishes to impose constraints on the Engineer's authority, these
constraints must be listed in the Particular Conditions, so as to avoid having to
seek the Contractor's agreement to further constraints. Under Sub-Clause 1.3, the
Employer's approval (of the Engineer exercising a specified authority) shall be in
writing and shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. When deciding which
constraints to list in the Particular Conditions, the Employer should take account of
the likelihood of the Contractor being entitled to recover the additional costs he
incurs whilst the Engineer awaits the Employer's written approval.
However, when the Contractor receives an Engineer's communication for which
the Employer's prior approval was required, the Contractor is not entitled to
query whether it was approved. For the purposes of the Contract, the Employer
is deemed to have given approval. For the purposes of the Engineer's
agreement with the Employer, whether the Employer actually approved is a
matter of fact, and acting without approval may be a breach of this consultancy
agreement.
Sub-paragraph (b) states that the Engineer has no authority to relieve either Party
of any duties, obligations and responsibilities except as otherwise stated in the
Contract. The main exception is the authority to instruct Variations, because they
may include omission of any work, as described in CONS 13.1(d).
Finally, sub-paragraph (c) states that various actions of the Engineer do not relieve
the Contractor from any responsibility under CONS or P&DB.
EPCT 3.1 entitles the Employer to appoint the "Employer's Representative",
although there is no obligation to do so. If no such appointment is made, it
Under CONS or P&DB, the Employer is required to appoint the "Engineer", who
is to be named in the Appendix to Tender. The Engineer does not represent the
Employer for all purposes. The Engineer is not authorised to amend the Contract,
but he is deemed to act for the Employer as stated in sub-paragraph (a). The role
of the Engineer is thus not stated to be that of a wholly impartial intermediary,
unless such a role is specified in the Particular Conditions.
If CONS/P&DB's Engineer is an independent consulting engineer who is to act
impartially, the following may be included in the Particular Conditions:
At the end of the first paragraph of Sub-Clause 3.5, insert:
"The Engineer shall act impartially when making these determinations."
Brief summaries of the various Sub-Clauses which may result in determinations
under Sub-Clause 3.5 are tabulated at the end of the commentary thereon.
The Engineer should carry out his duties and exercise his authority in a
professional manner, utilising the "suitably qualified engineers and other
professionals". When examining the tender documents and considering the role
of the Engineer, tenderers may take account of such matters as:
- the Engineer's technical competence and reputation, particularly in relation
to reviewing Contractor's Documents,
- the degree of independence indicated by the status of the appointed
Engineer, namely whether he is an independent consulting engineer, and
- the practical consequences of any constraints on the Engineer's authority.
See EPCT 3.3(a) below

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becomes even more essential for the Employer to notify the Contractor of the
name of the person authorised to sign as the Employer.
EPCT's Employer's Representative, who may be an independent consulting
engineer, is expected to fully represent the Employer. The Employer may therefore
have no need to constrain his Representative's authority, although he is fully
entitled to do so.
The Employer thus may, or may not, notify the Contractor of an Employer's
Representative. If the Employer does so notify, he may (or may not) notify the
Contractor of the appointee's duties and authority, including any limitations.
Unless and until the Contractor is notified by the Employer:
- of the appointee's name and address, there will be no "Employer's
Representative" as defined in the Contract;
- of the appointee's duties and authority, he/she will be deemed to have the
full authority of the Employer except in respect of Clause 15 (this exception
was included in the General Conditions in order to allow for the probability
of the appointee being an independent consulting engineer); and
- that a previously-notified appointee has ceased to be the Employer's
Representative, he/she continues as Employer's Representative under the
Contract.
EPCT 3.1 omits the sub-paragraphs contained in CONS 3.1 and P&DB 3.1, for
the following reasons:
(a) EPCT 1.1.2.4 states that the Employer's Representative acts on behalf of
the Employer (without CONS' or P&DB's exception of anything otherwise
stated).
(b) EPCT 3.1 states that, unless and until the Employer notifies otherwise, the
Employer's Representative is deemed to have the full authority of the
Employer (except for Clause 15), and therefore does have the same
authority as the Employer to relieve the Contractor from obligations under
the Contract.
(c) EPCT 3.3(a) refers to communications, either from the Employer's
Representative or from an assistant, not relieving the Contractor from
responsibility.
The Engineer may from time to time assign duties
and delegate authority to assistants, and may also
revoke such assignment or delegation. These
assistants may include a resident engineer, and/or
independent inspectors appointed to inspect and/or
test items of Plant and/or Materials. The assignment,
delegation or revocation shall be in writing and shall
not take effect until copies have been received by
both Parties. However, unless otherwise agreed by
both Parties, the Engineer shall not delegate the
authority to determine any matter in accordance with
Sub-Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ].
Assistants shall be suitably qualified persons, who
are competent to carry out these duties and
The Engineer may from time to time assign duties
and delegate authority to assistants, and may also
revoke such assignment or delegation. These
assistants may include a resident engineer, and/or
independent inspectors appointed to inspect and/or
test items of Plant and/or Materials. The assignment,
delegation or revocation shall be in writing and shall
not take effect until copies have been received by
both Parties. However, unless otherwise agreed by
both Parties, the Engineer shall not delegate the
authority to determine any matter in accordance with
Sub-Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ].
CONS P&DB EPCT
3.2 Delegation by the Engineer 3.2 Other Employer’s Personnel
The Employer or the Employer's Representative
may from time to time assign duties and delegate
authority to assistants, and may also revoke such
assignment or delegation. These assistants may
include a resident engineer, and/or independent
inspectors appointed to inspect and/or test items of
Plant and/or Materials. The assignment, delegation
or revocation shall not take effect until a copy of it
has been received by the Contractor.

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All these persons, including the Employer's
Representative and assistants, to whom duties have
been assigned or authority has been delegated,
shall only be authorised to issue instructions to the
Contractor to the extent defined by the delegation.
Any approval, check, certificate, consent,
proposal, request, test, or similar act by a delegated
person, in accordance with the delegation, shall
have the same effect as though the act had been
an act of the Employer. However:
(a) unless otherwise stated in the delegated
person's communication relating to such act,
it shall not relieve the Contractor from any
discrepancies and non-compliances;
(b) any failure to disapprove any work, Plant or
Materials shall not constitute approval, and shall
therefore not prejudice the right of the Employer
to reject the work, Plant or Materials; and
(c) if the Contractor questions any determination
or instruction of a delegated person, the
Contractor may refer the matter to the
Employer, who shall promptly confirm, reverse
or vary the determination or instruction.
CONS P&DB EPCT
exercise this authority, and who are fluent in the
language for communications defined in Sub-
Clause 1.4 [ Law and Language ]
Each assistant, to whom duties have been assigned
or authority has been delegated, shall only be
authorised to issue instructions to the Contractor to
the extent defined by the delegation. Any approval,
check, certificate, consent, examination, inspection,
instruction, notice, proposal, request, test, or similar
act by an assistant, in accordance with the
delegation, shall have the same effect as though the
act had been an act of the Engineer. However:
(a) any failure to disapprove any work, Plant or
Materials shall not constitute approval, and
shall therefore not prejudice the right of the
Engineer to reject the work, Plant or Materials;
(b) if the Contractor questions any determination
or instruction of an assistant, the Contractor
may refer the matter to the Engineer, who
shall promptly confirm, reverse or vary the
determination or instruction.
Clause 1.4 [ Law and Language ]
Each assistant, to whom duties have been assigned
or authority has been delegated, shall only be
authorised to issue instructions to the Contractor to
the extent defined by the delegation. Any approval,
check, certificate, consent, examination, inspection,
instruction, notice, proposal, request, test, or similar
act by an assistant, in accordance with the
delegation, shall have the same effect as though the
act had been an act of the Engineer. However:
(a) any failure to disapprove any work, Plant or
Materials shall not constitute approval, and
shall therefore not prejudice the right of the
Engineer to reject the work, Plant or Materials;
(b) if the Contractor questions any determination
or instruction of an assistant, the Contractor
may refer the matter to the Engineer, who
shall promptly confirm, reverse or vary the
Clause 1.4 [ Law and Language ].
3.3 Delegated Persons
EPCT 3.3 (a) is comparable with CONS/P&DB 3.1 (c) above
RB 2.2-2.4 & 37.5; YB 2.2, 2.3 & 20.1; OB 3.3
EPCT

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in accordance with a delegated power, has the same effect as it would have had
if it had been given by the Employer. If it is written in terms which clearly relieve the
Contractor from a responsibility under the Contract, the Contractor is entitled to
rely upon it as though it had been given by the Employer.
However, irrespective of EPCT's relief from responsibility in respect of approvals
and consents given by the Employer's Representative or his/her assistants, the
right to reject Plant, Materials, design or workmanship under EPCT 7.5 is wholly
unaffected if:
- approval or consent was only given by a person to whom the relevant
authority had not been delegated;
- approval or consent was only given orally, which is not in accordance with
Sub-Clause 1.3; or
- no approval (or disapproval) or consent has been given.
The Contractor may be dissatisfied with an assistant's determination or
instruction. For example, the determination might have been a disapproval or an
opinion of non-compliance, or might have been given under Sub-Clause 3.5.
However, unless both Parties agree, the fourth sentence of CONS/P&DB 3.2
invalidates an assistant's determination under Sub-Clause 3.5: "unless
otherwise agreed by both Parties, the Engineer shall not delegate the authority
to determine any matter in accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5".
If the Contractor is dissatisfied with a determination or instruction which had
been given by an assistant or by EPCT's Employer's Representative, he may
refer the matter to the Engineer under CONS or P&DB, or to the Employer under
EPCT, who shall confirm, reverse or vary the determination or instruction. The
consequences of the reversal or variation are not stated, because they depend
upon the nature of the determination or instruction and on the actual events,
particularly any events which were influenced by, or took account of, the
The appointment of "assistants" is essential for the success of a project. The word
"assistants" should not be interpreted as indicating that they will have a minor
supporting role. Generally, these persons have a major role in the achievement of
a successful project, and should therefore be selected with some care. The word
"assistants" is only used in order to allow each appointee to have whatever formal
title is considered by the appointing party to be appropriate.
Many assistants may need to be appointed, including resident engineer(s) and
other professional staff on the Site, and inspectors on the Site and/or to visit
manufacturers' works. Some of these persons may need to have authority
delegated to them in accordance with Sub-Clause 3.2, so that they can be fully
effective. Delegation and revocation do not take effect until copies have been
passed to the Parties, and therefore cannot be retrospective.
The Employer should ensure that there are sufficient assistants, and that they
comply with the criteria in the second paragraph of Sub-Clause 3.2. They are all
included within the definition of "Employer's Personnel".
Under CONS or P&DB, whenever an assistant acts in accordance with a
delegated power, the act has the same effect as though it had been performed
by the Engineer. Under Sub-Clause 3.1(c) these acts, performed (in effect) by
the Engineer, shall not relieve the Contractor from any responsibility. Therefore,
an approval or consent under the Contract, given by a duly authorised assistant
in accordance with the latter's delegated powers, has the same effect as it
would have had if it had been given by the Engineer, but it does not relieve the
Contractor from any responsibility.
EPCT 3.3 refers to the Employer's Representative and to his/her assistants.
Whenever he/she or an assistant acts in accordance with a delegated power, the
act has the same effect as though it had been performed by the Employer. Under
EPCT 3.3(a), these acts performed (in effect) by the Employer shall not relieve the
Contractor from any responsibility, unless otherwise stated in the communication
relating to such act. Therefore, an approval or consent under the Contract, given
CONS P&DB EPCT
3.3 Instructions of the Engineer 3.4 Instructions
The Engineer may issue to the Contractor (at any
time) instructions and additional or modified
The Engineer may issue to the Contractor (at any
time) instructions which may be necessary for the
The Employer may issue to the Contractor
instructions which may be necessary for the

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RB 2.5, 7.1 &13; YB 2.5 & 2.6; OB 3.4
Drawings which may be necessary for the execution
of the Works and the remedying of any defects, all
in accordance with the Contract. The Contractor
shall only take instructions from the Engineer, or
from an assistant to whom the appropriate authority
has been delegated under this Clause. If an
instruction constitutes a Variation, Clause 13
[ Variations and Adjustments ] shall apply.
The Contractor shall comply with the instructions
given by the Engineer or delegated assistant, on any
matter related to the Contract. Whenever prac-
ticable, their instructions shall be given in writing. If
the Engineer or a delegated assistant:
(a) gives an oral instruction,
(b) receives a written confirmation of the
instruction, from (or on behalf of) the
Contractor, within two working days after
giving the instruction, and
(c) does not reply by issuing a written rejection
and/or instruction within two working days
after receiving the confirmation,
then the confirmation shall constitute the written
instruction of the Engineer or delegated assistant
(as the case may be).
execution of the Works and the remedying of any
defects, all in accordance with the Contract. The
Contractor shall only take instructions from the
Engineer, or from an assistant to whom the
appropriate authority has been delegated under this
Clause. If an instruction constitutes a Variation,
Clause 13 [ Variations and Adjustments ] shall apply.
The Contractor shall comply with the instructions
given by the Engineer or delegated assistant, on any
matter related to the Contract. These instructions
shall be given in writing.
Contractor to perform his obligations under the
Contract. Each instruction shall be given in writing
and shall state the obligations to which it relates
and the Sub-Clause (or other term of the Contract)
in which the obligations are specified. If any such
instruction constitutes a Variation, Clause 13
[ Variations and Adjustments ] shall apply.
The Contractor shall take instructions from the
Employer, or from the Employer's Representative or
an assistant to whom the appropriate authority has
been delegated under this Clause.
The three Books differ in the extent to which it is appropriate for the Contractor to
receive and obey instructions. If he considers that certain specified circumstances
prevent him from complying with a Variation instruction, he may give the notice
which is described in the second paragraph of Sub-Clause 13.1.
Under CONS, the Contractor executes the Works in accordance with the
Engineer's instructions, and with designs which have been carried out by (or on
behalf of) the Employer. The Engineer is empowered to issue instructions, and the
Contractor is generally obliged to comply. It may even be necessary for immediate
oral instructions to be given, although they should be avoided wherever possible,
so detailed procedures are specified for an instruction which is not immediately
confirmed in writing. The procedures require prompt confirmation or denial of an
alleged oral instruction, in order that its validity or invalidity can be established as
soon as practicable.
Under P&DB, the Contractor provides Plant and executes any other Works in
accordance with his own design, although P&DB 17.3(g) indicates that there may
be certain elements of the design which were issued to the Contractor by (or on
behalf of) the Employer. The Engineer is empowered to issue instructions, but
P&DB 13.1(ii) anticipates the possibility of an instruction prejudicing the

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If the Employer intends to replace the Engineer, the
Employer shall, not less than 42 days before the
intended date of replacement, give notice to the
Contractor of the name, address and relevant
experience of the intended replacement Engineer.
The Employer shall not replace the Engineer with a
person against whom the Contractor raises
reasonable objection by notice to the Employer, with
supporting particulars.
If the Employer intends to replace the Engineer, the
Employer shall, not less than 42 days before the
intended date of replacement, give notice to the
Contractor of the name, address and relevant
experience of the intended replacement Engineer.
The Employer shall not replace the Engineer with a
person against whom the Contractor raises
reasonable objection by notice to the Employer, with
CONS P&DB EPCT
3.4 Replacement of the Engineer
see last paragraph of EPCT 3.1, above
YB 2.8
Under CONS or P&DB, the Engineer has a major role in the administration of the
Contract, particularly with respect to issuing Variations and Payment Certificates,
and reviewing any Contractor's Documents. When examining the tender
documents and considering the role of the Engineer, tenderers may take account
of such matters as:
- the Engineer's technical competence and reputation, particularly in relation
to reviewing Contractor's Documents,
- the degree of independence indicated by the status of the appointed
Engineer, namely whether he is an independent consulting engineer, and
- the practical consequences of any constraints on the Engineer's authority.
Having studied these matters, tenderers may not want the Employer to be able
to replace the Engineer, at least not without good reason. By contrast, Employers
understandably consider that there should be no restriction imposed on replacing
the Engineer, whom the Employer has appointed to administer the Contract.
Sub-Clause 3.4 provides a fair and reasonable compromise between the
conflicting desires of the Parties. If the Employer intends to replace the Engineer,
the Contractor must receive 42 days' notice, which must include details of the
replacement Engineer's experience which is relevant to the duties and authority
he would have in respect of the Works. In order to prevent the Employer
appointing an unsuitable replacement Engineer, the Contractor should notify the
Employer of the "reasonable objection" as soon as possible during the period of
42 days. If the objection is reasonable, the Employer "shall not replace the
Engineer …"
Supporting particulars are to accompany the notice of the Contractor's
"reasonable objection". What would suffice as a "reasonable objection" depends
upon the circumstances, including the representations originally made to the
tenderers, the details of the replacement Engineer's experience, and the duties
Contractor's responsibility for the design of the Works. In order to lessen the
likelihood of instructions being misunderstood, oral instructions are invalid and
ineffective.
Under EPCT, the Contractor takes total responsibility for the design and execution
of the Works, and there is no Engineer. The Employer should only be issuing
instructions which (i) are Variations, (ii) are otherwise referred to in the Contract,
or (iii) require the Contractor to comply with an obligation under the Contract. If
an instruction does not state the obligation to which it relates, in accordance with
EPCT 3.4, it is not a valid instruction. However, the Contractor may be entitled to
regard it as an instruction to carry out a Variation, unless it was not issued by a
person to whom the appropriate authority had been delegated

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and authority necessary to administer the Contract and supervise the full scope of
the Contractor's execution of the Works.
If the Contractor does not raise any reasonable objection within the period of 42
days, or such longer period as may be stated in the notice, the Employer may then
Whenever these Conditions provide that the
Engineer shall proceed in accordance with this Sub-
Clause 3.5 to agree or determine any matter, the
Engineer shall consult with each Party in an
endeavour to reach agreement. If agreement is not
achieved, the Engineer shall make a fair determin-
ation in accordance with the Contract, taking due
regard of all relevant circumstances.
The Engineer shall give notice to both Parties of
each agreement or determination, with supporting
particulars. Each Party shall give effect to each
agreement or determination unless and until revised
under Clause 20 [ Claims, Disputes and Arbitration ].
Engineer shall proceed in accordance with this Sub-
Clause 3.5 to agree or determine any matter, the
Engineer shall consult with each Party in an
achieved, the Engineer shall make a fair
determination in accordance with the Contract,
taking due regard of all relevant circumstances.
The Engineer shall give notice to both Parties of
agreement or determination unless and until revised
under Clause 20 [ Claims, Disputes and Arbitration ].
Employer shall proceed in accordance with this
Sub-Clause 3.5 to agree or determine any matter,
the Employer shall consult with the Contractor in an
achieved, the Employer shall make a fair
determination in accordance with the Contract,
taking due regard of all relevant circumstances.
The Employer shall give notice to the Contractor of
agreement or determination, unless the Contractor
gives notice, to the Employer, of his dissatisfaction
with a determination within 14 days of receiving it.
Either Party may then refer the dispute to the DAB
in accordance with Sub-Clause 20.4 [ Obtaining
Dispute Adjudication Board's Decision ].
CONS P&DB EPCT
3.5 Determinations
OB 3.5
Sub-Clauses 2.5 and 20.1 specify the procedures for the submission, by each
Party, of claims for financial compensation and/or for an extension of a
contractual period under Sub-Clause 8.4 or 11.3. Sub-Clauses 2.5 and 20.1
are referred to in Sub-Clause 11.3 and 8.4 respectively, and thus specify one
claims procedure for each Party, whether for money or time. The procedural
Sub-Clauses 2.5 and 20.1, and the provisions which entitle a Party to financial
compensation, require the Engineer under CONS or P&DB, or the Employer
under EPCT, to "proceed in accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5 to agree or
determine" the extension and financial compensation.
The Engineer or Employer does not "proceed in accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5"
only once in respect of each claim. He does so in stages, as further particulars are
submitted under Sub-Clause 20.1, until the extension and financial compensation
are finally agreed or determined. Under Sub-Clause 1.3, determinations shall be in
writing, and shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Under CONS/P&DB 3.2:
"unless otherwise agreed by both Parties, the Engineer shall not delegate the
authority to determine any matter in accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5".
Claims should not be regarded as either inevitable or unpalatable, and complying with
claims procedures should not be regarded as being an aggressive act. Major projects
replace the Engineer. Thereafter, the Contractor cannot raise objection, under this
Sub-Clause, to the appointed Engineer or undo the appointment. If the Contractor
considers the Engineer to be incompetent, he may proceed to allege that the
incompetence constituted a breach of Sub-Clause 3.1.

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is such a communication. In other words, the determination should state that it is
made under Sub-Clause 3.5, so that the Contractor is aware of its consequences
under EPCT 3.5. If it is unclear whether the Employer's communication is a
determination under Sub-Clause 3.5, he may not be able to rely upon it as such.
Under EPCT 14.7(b), the Employer's obligation is stated as being to pay the
amount which "is due", subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 but irrespective of the
Further commentary on claims procedure is included in this Guide under Sub-
Clauses 2.5 and 20.1, respectively for the Employer's and Contractor's claims.
The following table lists the provisions relevant to CONS/P&DB 3.5. Sub-Clauses
marked * are also relevant to EPCT 3.5, although the details may differ.
give rise to major risks, which have to be dealt with if they occur. Whilst the Parties
might prefer everything to remain unchanged, they should not instinctively seek to
attribute blame if circumstances arise or events occur which give rise to an
adjustment of the Contract Price. In these events, the claims procedures are
specified so as to provide the degree of formality considered necessary for the
proper administration of a building or engineering project. Complying with these
procedures and maintaining a co-operative approach to the determination of all
adjustments should enhance the likelihood of achieving a successful project.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Engineer first consults with each Party, separately
and/or jointly, and endeavours to achieve the agreement of both Parties (not, it
should be noted, just the Engineer's agreement with one Party). If the agreement
of both Parties cannot be achieved within a reasonable time, the Engineer is then
required to make a "fair determination in accordance with the Contract". The
Engineer's determination is not required to be made impartially, unless such a
requirement is stated in the Particular Conditions. However, he should carry out
this duty in a professional manner, utilising his "suitably qualified engineers and
other professionals" mentioned in Sub-Clause 3.1. The Engineer is then required
to notify both Parties of his determination, which is binding upon them unless and
until revised under the dispute resolution procedures in Clause 20. In practice, the
Engineer may first make an interim determination(s), indicating his intention to
review it when further particulars are presented to him, and meanwhile including
the appropriate adjustment in Interim Payment Certificates. Although an interim
determination may nevertheless be referable to the DAB directly without further
delay, it is usually preferable, if further particulars become available, for the
Engineer to review his previous determination.
Under EPCT, the Contractor is firstly consulted by the Employer, or by the
Employer's Representative (if any) unless he/she has no such delegated authority.
If the agreement of both Parties cannot be achieved within a reasonable time, the
Employer is then required to make, and to notify the Contractor of, the Employer's
"fair determination in accordance with the Contract". The Parties must give effect
to such determination, unless the Contractor issues a notice of dissatisfaction
within 14 days (in which case the determination is of no effect). Irrespective of
whether the Contractor issues a notice of dissatisfaction, he may invoke the
dispute resolution procedures in Clause 20.
In order for EPCT's Employer to be able to rely upon a communication as being
a determination under Sub-Clause 3.5, and to require the Contractor to give effect
to it unless notice of dissatisfaction is given, the Contractor must be aware that it

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Sub-Clauses relating to Claims under CONS or P&DB
Sub-Clause
1.9 CONS Delayed Drawings or Instructions
1.9 P&DB Errors in the Employer's Requirements
2.1 Right of Access to the Site *
2.5 Employer's Claims *
4.7 Setting Out
4.12 Unforeseeable Physical Conditions
4.19 Electricity, Water and Gas *
4.20 Employer's Equipment and Free-Issue
Material *
4.24 Fossils *
7.4 Testing *
Contractor’s Entitlement
Contractor may claim extension of time, Cost and
reasonable profit if Engineer fails to instruct within
notified reasonable time
reasonable profit for error in Employer's
Requirements which was not previously discoverable
reasonable profit if Employer fails to give right of
access to Site within time stated in the Contract
reasonable profit for errors in original setting-out
points and levels of reference
Contractor may claim extension of time and Cost if he
encounters physical conditions which are Unforeseeable
Contractor may claim extension of time and Cost
attributable to an instruction to Contractor to deal
with an encountered archaeological finding
reasonable profit if testing is delayed by (or on behalf
of) the Employer
Employer’s Entitlement
Procedure with which Employer must comply when
claiming payment from the Contractor and when
claiming an extension to the Defects Notification Period
Employer entitled to payment if Contractor uses power,
water or other services provided by the Employer, if
any, without prior notice under Sub-Clause 2.5
Employer entitled to payment if Contractor uses the
Employer's Equipment, if any, without prior notice
under Sub-Clause 2.5

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Sub-Clause
7.5 Rejection *
7.6 Remedial Work *
8.4 Extension of Time for Completion *
8.5 Delays Caused by Authorities *
8.6 Rate of Progress *
8.7 Delay Damages *
8.9 Consequences of Suspension *
9.4 Failure to Pass Tests on Completion *
10.2 Taking Over of Parts of the Works
10.3 Interference with Tests on Completion *
11.3 Extension of Defects Notification Period *
11.4 Failure to Remedy Defects *
Contractor may claim extension of time if
completion (see Sub-Clauses 8.2 & 10.1) is or will
be delayed by a listed cause
Contractor may claim extension of time if Country's
public authority causes Unforeseeable delay
Contractor may claim extension of time and Cost if
Engineer instructs a suspension of progress
Contractor may claim Cost and reasonable profit
attributable to the taking over of a part of the
Works
reasonable profit if Employer delays a Test on Completion
Employer’s Entitlememt
Employer may claim costs if defective Plant, Materials
or workmanship is rejected and subsequently retested
Employer may claim costs if Contractor fails to carry
out remedial work and if he would not have been
entitled to be paid for it
Employer may claim costs attributable to revised
methods which Contractor adopts in order to
overcome a delay for which no extension of time is
due
Employer may claim prescribed delay damages if
Contractor fails to achieve completion within Time
for Completion
Employer may claim costs if Works or Section
repeatedly fails Test on Completion
Employer's entitlement to prescribed delay
damages is reduced by a proportion related to the
contract value of the part taken over
Employer may claim extension of the Defects Notification
Period if Works or Section or major Plant cannot be used
for intended purpose because of any defect
Employer may claim costs if Contractor fails to
remedy a defect for which Contractor is responsible

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Sub-Clause
11.8 Contractor to Search *
12.2 P&DB Delayed Tests *
12.3 CONS Evaluation
12.3 P&DB Retesting *
12.4 CONS Omissions
12.4 P&DB Failure to Pass Tests after Completion *
13.2 CONS Value Engineering
13.3 Variation Procedure *
13.7 Adjustments for Changes in Legislation *
14.4 Schedule of Payments *
14.8 Delayed Payment *
Contractor may claim Cost and reasonable profit if
instructed to search for cause of a defect for which
he is not responsible
Employer delays a Test after Completion
Engineer evaluates each item of work, applying measurement and appropriate rate or price
Contractor may claim a Cost which, although it had
been included in a BoQ item, he would not recover
because the item was for work which has been
omitted by Variation
Employer delays access to the Works or Plant
Contractor may claim half of the saving in contract
value of his redesigned post-contract alternative
proposal, which was approved without prior
agreement of such contract value and of how
saving would be shared
Contractor may claim extension of time and Cost
attributable to a change in the Laws of the Country
Contractor may claim financing charges if he does not
receive payment in accordance with Sub-Clause 14.7
Employer may claim costs attributable to repeated
failures of Test after Completion
Employer may claim prescribed non-performance
damages in event of failure to pass Test after
Completion
Employer may claim payment of reduction in
Contractor's Cost attributable to a change in the
Laws of the Country
The Contract Price shall be adjusted as a result of Variations
Employer’s Entitlement
If interim payment instalments were not defined by reference to actual progress, and actual progress is less
than that on which the schedule of payments was originally based, these instalments may be revised

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15.3 Valuation at Date of Termination *
15.4 Payment after Termination *
16.1 Contractor's Entitlement to Suspend Work *
16.4 Payment on Termination *
17.1 Indemnities *
17.4 Consequences of Employer's Risks *
18.1 General Requirements for Insurances *
18.2 Insurance for Works and Contractor's
Equipment (last paragraph) *
19.4 Consequences of Force Majeure *
19.6 Optional Payment, Termination and Release *
20.1 Contractor's Claims *
reasonable profit if Engineer fails to certify or if
Employer fails to pay amount certified or fails to
evidence his financial arrangements, and Contractor
suspends work
Contractor may claim losses and damages after
terminating Contract
Contractor may claim cost attributable to a matter
against which he is indemnified by Employer
(in some cases) reasonable profit if Works, Goods or
Contractor's Documents are damaged by an
Employer's risk as listed in Sub-Clause 17.3
Contractor may claim cost of premiums if Employer fails
to effect insurance for which he is the "insuring Party"
Contractor may claim extension of time and (in
some cases) Cost if Force Majeure prevents him
from performing obligations
Procedure with which the Contractor must complywhen
claiming an extension of time and/or additional payment
Works, Goods and Contractor's Documents are
valued after Employer has terminated Contract
Employer may claim losses and damages after
terminating Contract
Employer may claim cost attributable to a matter
against which he is indemnified by Contractor
Employer may claim cost of premiums if Contractor fails
to effect insurance for which he is the "insuring Party"
Employer may claim payment of reduction in cost of
premiums if the Contractor's insurance of an
Employer's risk becomes unavailable at
commercially reasonable terms
Sub-Clause Contractor’s Entitlement Employers Entitlement
Contractor's work and other Costs are valued after progress is prevented by a prolonged period of Force
Majeure and either Party then gives notice of termination
Sub-Clauses marked * are those relevant to EPCT 3.5, although their details may differ from those in the provisions relevant to CONS/P&DB 3.5.

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The Contractor shall design (to the extent specified
in the Contract), execute and complete the Works in
accordance with the Contract and with the
Engineer’s instructions, and shall remedy any
defects in the Works.
The Contractor shall provide the Plant and
Contractor’s Documents specified in the Contract,
and all Contractor’s Personnel, Goods,
consumables and other things and services,
whether of a temporary or permanent nature,
required in and for this design, execution,
completion and remedying of defects.
The Contractor shall be responsible for the
adequacy, stability and safety of all Site operations
and of all methods of construction. Except to the
extent specified in the Contract, the Contractor (i)
shall be responsible for all Contractor’s Documents,
Temporary Works, and such design of each item of
Plant and Materials as is required for the item to be
in accordance with the Contract, and (ii) shall not
otherwise be responsible for the design or
specification of the Permanent Works.
The Contractor shall, whenever required by the
The Contractor shall design, execute and complete
the Works in accordance with the Contract, and
shall remedy any defects in the Works. When
completed, the Works shall be fit for the purposes
for which the Works are intended as defined in the
Contract.
Contractor's Documents specified in the Contract,
and all Contractor's Personnel, Goods,
The Works shall include any work which is
necessary to satisfy the Employer's Requirements,
Contractor's Proposal and Schedules, or is implied
by the Contract, and all works which (although not
mentioned in the Contract) are necessary for
stability or for the completion, or safe and proper
operation, of the Works.
adequacy, stability and safety of all Site operations,
of all methods of construction and of all the Works.
The Contractor shall design, execute and complete
the Works in accordance with the Contract, and
shall remedy any defects in the Works. When
completed, the Works shall be fit for the purposes
for which the Works are intended as defined in the
Contract.
Contractor's Documents specified in the Contract,
and all Contractor's Personnel, Goods,
The Works shall include any work which is
necessary to satisfy the Employer's Requirements,
or is implied by the Contract, and all works which
(although not mentioned in the Contract) are
necessary for stability or for the completion, or safe
and proper operation, of the Works.
adequacy, stability and safety of all Site operations,
of all methods of construction and of all the Works.
CONS P&DB EPCT
Clause 4 The Contractor
4.1 Contractor’s General Obligations

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Engineer, submit details of the arrangements and
methods which the Contractor proposes to adopt
for the execution of the Works. No significant
alteration to these arrangements and methods shall
be made without this having previously been notified
to the Engineer.
If the Contract specifies that the Contractor shall
design any part of the Permanent Works, then
unless otherwise stated in the Particular Conditions:
(a) the Contractor shall submit to the Engineer
the Contractor’s Documents for this part in
accordance with the procedures specified in
the Contract;
(b) these Contractor’s Documents shall be in
accordance with the Specification and
Drawings, shall be written in the language for
communications defined in Sub-Clause 1.4
[ Law and Language ], and shall include
additional information required by the
Engineer to add to the Drawings for co-
ordination of each Party’s designs;
(c) the Contractor shall be responsible for this
part and it shall, when the Works are
completed, be fit for such purposes for which
the part is intended as are specified in the
Contract; and
(d) prior to the commencement of the Tests on
Completion, the Contractor shall submit to the
Engineer the “as-built” documents and
operation and maintenance manuals in
accordance with the Specification and in
sufficient detail for the Employer to operate,
maintain, dismantle, reassemble, adjust and
repair this part of the Works. Such part shall
not be considered to be completed for the
Engineer, submit details of the arrangements and
to the Engineer
Employer, submit details of the arrangements and
to the Employer.
CONS P&DB EPCT

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by this Sub-Clause, and are probably also implied by applicable Laws.
Fitness for purpose is required, irrespective of the level of skill, care and diligence
expected of the Contractor's designers, and irrespective of the likelihood that
independent professional designers may be unable to procure insurance other
than up to the level of the usual professional duty of skill, care and diligence.
Independent professional designers may decline liability other than up to the level
of this usual professional duty, irrespective of whether fitness for purpose is
specified in the Contract or is merely implied.
The second paragraph of Sub-Clause 4.1 requires the Contractor to provide the
Contractor's Documents specified in the Contract. The Employer's use of these
documents is constrained by Sub-Clause 1.10.
The General Conditions do not specify which documents are to be supplied, as
"Contractor's Documents"; and do not imply that the Contractor submits all
design documents. On the contrary, Sub-Clause 1.10 and P&DB/EPCT 5.2
(second paragraph) refer to some of his design documents as not being
"Contractor's Documents" because the Contract does not require him to supply
them to the Employer or Engineer. P&DB/EPCT 5.2 specify detailed procedures
for the submission of Contractor's Documents; and CONS 4.1(a) refers to
procedures specified elsewhere in the Contract. Therefore, a more detailed
definition of the documents to be submitted must be included in the Contract: in
CONS' Specification, in P&DB's Proposal or Employer's Requirements, or in
EPCT's Tender or Employer's Requirements. For example, EPCT's Employer's
Representative may only want to receive general arrangement drawings, and
would neither want to receive the bending schedules detailing the reinforcement
in the concrete nor want to employ the staff necessary to review them.
The second paragraph continues by requiring the Contractor to provide
everything for his design, execution, completion and remedying of defects. The
Contract must specify the scope of the Contractor's design and the Works to be
purposes of taking-over under Sub-
Sections ] until these documents and manuals
have been submitted to the Engineer.
This Sub-Clause specifies the Contractor's general obligations, although those
related to time are not repeated from Clause 8.
CONS 4.1 requires the Contractor to design to the extent specified in the
Contract. This extent should be clearly described in the Specification, so that
tenderers are in no doubt as to the Contractor's obligations. Notes on the
Drawings may be too brief to specify this extent with sufficient clarity, and may be
overlooked. If the Specification describes the extent to which the Contractor shall
design part of the Permanent Works, the four sub-paragraphs of CONS 4.1
provide general provisions applicable to the Contractor's design. Unless any of
these sub-paragraphs is overridden by a Particular Condition, they require the
Engineer to co-ordinate each Party's designs, and they require the part to be fit
for the purposes for which it is intended as are specified in the Contract (see
comments below).
P&DB 4.1 and EPCT 4.1 specify that the Works, when completed, shall be fit for
the purposes for which they are intended as defined in the Contract. This standard
is stated to apply "when completed", and should not be interpreted a decade
later, for example. It is therefore reasonable for the Employer to receive (and pay
for) Works which are fit for the purposes he described in the tender documents.
The obligation of fitness for purpose would be implied under the Laws of many
countries, but is here clarified to relate to the intended purposes (if any) which are
defined in the Contract. Generally, the initial purpose should be obvious from the
scope defined in the Employer's Requirements, but matters such as ease of
maintenance and expected life may need to be specified, unless implied by law. If
provisions in different documents are inconsistent, Sub-Clause 1.5 defines their
priority.
Fitness for purpose is thus the basic criterion with which Contractor-designed
Works must comply. It is therefore not essential, for example, for a contract
document to specify that roofs must be resistant to local weather conditions (sun,
rain, snow, etc.), because such obvious requirements are imposed on the Works
RB 7.2, 8, 13 & 14.1; YB 8.1; OB 4.1
CONS P&DB EPCT

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The Contractor shall obtain (at his cost) a
Performance Security for proper performance, in the
amount and currencies stated in the Appendix to
Tender. If an amount is not stated in the Appendix
to Tender, this Sub-Clause shall not apply.
The Contractor shall deliver the Performance
Security to the Employer within 28 days after
receiving the Letter of Acceptance, and shall send a
copy to the Engineer. The Performance Security
shall be issued by an entity and from within a
country (or other jurisdiction) approved by the
Employer, and shall be in the form annexed to the
Particular Conditions or in another form approved
by the Employer.
The Contractor shall ensure that the Performance
Security is valid and enforceable until the Contractor
has executed and completed the Works and
amount and currencies stated in the Appendix to
Tender. If an amount is not stated in the Appendix
to Tender, this Sub-Clause shall not apply.
Security to the Employer within 28 days after
receiving the Letter of Acceptance, and shall send a
copy to the Engineer. The Performance Security
shall be issued by an entity and from within a
country (or other jurisdiction) approved by the
Employer, and shall be in the form annexed to the
Particular Conditions or in another form approved
by the Employer.
amount and currencies stated in the Particular
Conditions. If an amount is not stated in the
Particular Conditions, this Sub-Clause shall not apply.
Security to the Employer within 28 days after both
Parties have signed the Contract Agreement. The
Performance Security shall be issued by an entity
and from within a country (or other jurisdiction)
approved by the Employer, and shall be in the form
annexed to the Particular Conditions or in another
form approved by the Employer.
executed and completed. Sub-Clause 4.1 states that the Contractor provides
whatever is necessary to carry out his obligations, so this wording should not
need to be repeated elsewhere in the Contract. If the Employer is to provide
services to assist the Contractor, they should be expressly described in the
Contract: see Sub-Clauses 4.19 and 4.20, for example.
Under P&DB or EPCT, the third paragraph requires the Works to include any work
which is necessary to satisfy the Employer's Requirements and to comply with the
documents comprised in the Contract in the order of priority specified in Sub-
Clause 1.5. The Contractor cannot (for example) economise by failing to provide
what he promised in his Tender proposal, whilst still complying with the
Employer's Requirements. The Contractor's obligations thus allow for the
possibility that the Employer's Requirements are not very precise and the
Employer studied and accepted the more precise details proposed in the
Contractor's Tender.
The Contractor's responsibility for Site operations and construction methods is
then stated. He is required to submit details of his proposed arrangements and
methods of execution, but only for information. Clearly, the Engineer or Employer
will wish to notify the Contractor of any perceived inconsistency between this
information and the Contractor's obligations under the Contract.
Under CONS, the third paragraph states that (except to the extent specified in the
Contract) the Contractor is responsible for such design of each item of Plant and
Materials as is required for it to comply with the Contract. Although the extent of
the Contractor's design obligations should be clearly described in the
Specification, disputes can arise where they are not so described but there is a
strong implication that he was expected to design the Plant and also some of the
Materials (such as concrete mixes, for example). If the Contractor is to be
responsible for any aspect of the design of an item, the Specification should
stipulate the criteria and procedures for its design and acceptance.
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.2 Performance Security

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remedied any defects. If the terms of the
Performance Security specify its expiry date, and
the Contractor has not become entitled to receive
the Performance Certificate by the date 28 days
prior to the expiry date, the Contractor shall extend
the validity of the Performance Security until the
Works have been completed and any defects have
been remedied.
The Employer shall not make a claim under the
Performance Security, except for amounts to which
the Employer is entitled under the Contract in the
event of:
(a) failure by the Contractor to extend the validity
of the Performance Security as described in
the preceding paragraph, in which event the
Employer may claim the full amount of the
Performance Security,
(b) failure by the Contractor to pay the Employer
an amount due, as either agreed by the
Contractor or determined under Sub-
Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s Claims ] or Clause 20
[ Claims, Disputes and Arbitration ], within 42
days after this agreement or determination,
(c) failure by the Contractor to remedy a default
within 42 days after receiving the Employer’s
notice requiring the default to be remedied, or
(d) circumstances which entitle the Employer to
termination under Sub-Clause 15.2
[ Termination by Employer ], irrespective of
whether notice of termination has been given.
The Employer shall indemnify and hold the
Contractor harmless against and from all damages,
losses and expenses (including legal fees and
expenses) resulting from a claim under the
been remedied.
event of:
been remedied.
event of:
CONS P&DB EPCT

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Performance Security to the extent to which the
Employer was not entitled to make the claim.
The Employer shall return the Performance Security
to the Contractor within 21 days after receiving a
copy of the Performance Certificate.
to the Contractor within 21 days after receiving a
copy of the Performance Certificate.
to the Contractor within 21 days after the
Contractor has become entitled to receive the
Performance Certificate.
is annexed to the Particular Conditions, it may be reasonable for the Employer to
withhold approval of a form which is less favourable to the Employer than the
annexed form.
Typically, securities are often classified into two types, reflecting the conflicting
desires of the Parties:
- An "unconditional" or "on-demand" security may be called (cashed) on
demand, without pre-conditions (such as proof of default) which may be
challenged in arbitration or litigation. This type of performance security is
typically regarded as the type which Employers prefer to receive.
- A "conditional" security requires certain conditions to be satisfied before it
may be called (cashed), the conditions typically being an arbitral award or
other evidence (such as proof of default) of the caller's entitlement to
compensation under the Contract. This type of performance security
provides less scope for unfair calls, and is typically regarded as the type
which Contractors prefer to provide.
Alternatively, the different forms of security may be categorised by reference to the
contract for and under which the security is required and issued:
- An "independent" guarantee is one under which the obligations of the
guarantor to pay the Employer (beneficiary) are separate from the
obligations of the Contractor under the Contract, so the guarantor's
obligations do not depend upon the provisions of the Contract.
Unconditional on-demand securities are examples of this type of security,
which are typically preferred by international banks because they then do
not need to read the Contract, investigate the Contractor's alleged default,
and assess the Employer's entitlement to compensation.
In international contracts, where the Employer may wish to anticipate the potential
problems of default by the Contractor, a security is a common requirement for the
protection of the Employer and/or of the project financial institution/bank. The
amount of the Performance Security must be specified in CONS' or P&DB's
Appendix to Tender, either as a sum or as a percentage of the Accepted Contract
Amount; or in EPCT's Particular Conditions, either as a sum or as a percentage
of "the Contract Price stated in the Contract Agreement", including currencies and
proportions. Note that reference cannot only be made to EPCT's "Contract Price"
because it may be adjusted (under Clause 13, for example) during the contract
period.
Although the Sub-Clause states that it does not apply if the amount is not so
specified, it is preferable (if no security is required) for the words "not applicable"
to be stated in CONS' or P&DB's Appendix to Tender or in EPCT's Particular
Conditions.
The Performance Security is to be issued by an entity approved by the Employer.
It is required to be in the form annexed to the Particular Conditions, or in another
form approved by the Employer. The Particular Conditions should therefore
include details of the Employer's requirements regarding the entity, and details (in
an annex) of the specified form.
Sub-Clause 1.3 requires approvals to be given in writing and not unreasonably
withheld. The reasonableness of withholding an approval will depend upon the
extent to which the Performance Security, and the entity which issued it, comply
with the requirements specified in or annexed to the Particular Conditions. If a
form was annexed, the Employer cannot insist upon "another form approved by
the Employer". This "another form" is an alternative option for the Contractor. If the
Contractor opts to seek the Employer's approval of a form other than that which
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 10; YB 10; OB 4.2

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reasonable time.
If the Contractor has not become entitled to receive the Performance Certificate
by the date 28 days before the Performance Security expires, and he fails to
extend it, Sub-Clause 4.2 entitles the Employer to call the Performance Security.
This entitlement is of no effect unless the wording of the Performance Security, as
originally procured by the Contractor and approved by the Employer, itself
imposes an obligation on the guarantor to pay the Employer. The period of 28
days is specified in order to allow one or two days' grace period for the delivery
of the documents (extending the validity of the Security) to the Employer, and to
give him a reasonable time to make the necessary arrangements for the call. If the
Employer becomes entitled to call the Performance Security by reason of this
failure to extend it, the Employer may claim its full amount in accordance with Sub-
Clause 4.2(a).
If the Employer becomes entitled to call the Performance Security under any of the
circumstances described in sub-paragraphs (b) to (d) of Sub-Clause 4.2, the
Employer may only claim the amount to which he is entitled to be paid by the
Contractor under the Contract. If the Employer claims in excess of this amount
from the guarantor:
- the Employer is in breach of the terms of Sub-Clause 4.2 in claiming the
excess,
- the Employer may be entitled under the terms of the Performance Security,
if it is an independent guarantee, to be paid the amount claimed including
this excess (the guarantor's obligation to pay the Employer depends upon
these terms and their governing Laws), and
- the indemnity specified in the penultimate paragraph of Sub-Clause 4.2
provides a degree of protection for the Contractor.
- An "accessory" guarantee/bond is one under which the obligations of the
surety (guarantor) to pay the Employer (beneficiary) are inseparably linked
("co-extensive") with the obligations of the Contractor under the Contract,
such that the surety's obligations are determined by and depend upon
contractual obligations. This type of security, which is typically preferred by
international credit insurance companies, may include provisions which
entitle the surety to replace the defaulting Contractor and arrange for others
to perform his contractual obligations.
Sub-Clause 4.2 is considered appropriate for use with any form of security, and
not just with the example forms annexed to each GPPC.
Securities must be drafted with care, taking account of the law by which they will
be governed, and preferably by lawyers familiar with such law.
The Performance Security is required to be valid until the Works are complete and
defects have been remedied. Whilst the Employer may prefer it not to state its
expiry date, the issuing entity may seek to insist on a stated expiry date. Sub-
Clause 4.2 therefore requires the Performance Security to be extended if, 28 days
before its expiry date, the Contractor has not become entitled to receive the
Performance Certificate.
Whenever a Performance Security is issued or extended, and incorporates an
expiry date, the date should take account of the possibility of:
- extensions to the Time for Completion,
- the Contractor failing to complete within the extended Time for Completion,
and
- defects appearing and being notified on the last day of the delayed Defects
Notification Period, and the Contractor failing to remedy them within a
call in order to exert commercial pressure), and of the guarantor's recourse to be
paid by the Contractor. FIDIC does not recommend unconditional securities,
which may discourage tendering and/or result in higher pricing.
FIDIC's example forms incorporate (by reference) two sets of Uniform Rules
prepared for the International Chamber of Commerce ("ICC", 38 Cours Albert 1er,
75008 Paris, France) which has issued the following publications:
FIDIC's example forms of Performance Security
Two example forms of Performance Security are annexed to each GPPC:
comprising a form of independent guarantee in Annex C (which may be called a
conditional demand form); and a form of conditional accessory bond in Annex D.
These forms are considered fair as between the Parties and should therefore be
conducive to keen tendering. Competent tenderers will review the form(s) of
Performance Security annexed to the Particular Conditions, and should then take
account of the opportunity provided in the forms for unfair calling (or for threats to

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- 458 - Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees ("URDG", 1992);
- 510 - Guide to the ICC Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees (Professor
Roy Goode, 1992);
- 524 - Uniform Rules for Contract Bonds ("URCB", 1993);
- 536 - Guide to ICC Uniform Rules for Contract Bonds & Model Forms
(Richard J White, 1997);
- 547 - Bank Guarantees in International Trade (Roeland I V F Bertrams,
1996).
Incorporation of these Rules significantly reduces the wording in each example
form, and should facilitate a common international standard for securities.
The wording of each example form relies upon the incorporation of the Rules.
Capital Initial Letters are only used in the example forms for words which are
defined in the security or in the Rules (or both). This is essential in the case of
independent guarantees, where guarantors must not need to read the Contract.
URDG set out the arrangements whereby the beneficiary may call the guarantee
by a simple declaration that its pre-conditions have been fulfilled. No evidence
of the pre-conditions is required, so a correctly-worded demand should be
successful in the absence of fraud. The guarantee is thus an "independent"
guarantee, in the sense that a correctly-worded demand entitles the call,
independent of the Contract. If the Employer's declaration is subsequently
proved to be incorrect, the Contractor may subsequently have recourse under
the Laws and/or under the indemnity in the penultimate paragraph of Sub-
Clause 4.2.
The Performance Security proposed in Annex C states that it is subject to ICC's
URDG, so the guarantor will need to have a copy of URDG but not the Contract.
Under the example form in Annex C, and the similar forms of independent
guarantees in Annexes B and E to G, the guarantor has only to compare the
wording of the demand with that in the guarantee before making payment:
(a) there must be a clear statement that the Principal named in the guarantee
(namely the Contractor in the case of a Performance Security) is in breach
of his obligations under the Contract; and
(b) there must be a brief description of the breach, and of the obligation in
respect of which he is in breach, using expressions similar to those in the
Contract.
This independent guarantee form of security may be called a conditional demand
form, because the demand has to satisfy these conditions, (a) and (b).
The procedure for calling the independent guarantee form of security only
requires the preparation and submission of documentation by the Employer.
Although he may need legal advice, both to verify the entitlement and to draft the
demand, the position of an honest Employer (who does not intend to make an
unfair call) is little different from that which applies under an unconditional
guarantee. Essentially, the Employer has only to declare the basis of his
entitlement to call the Performance Security, albeit in wording consistent with that
specified in the guarantee.
In order to protect the Employer, the independent guarantee form of security
includes a requirement for authentication of the signature(s) on the demand. It is
understood that many banks require the protection of such authentication.
Although Article 21 of URDG requires each demand to be copied to the
Contractor "without delay", the Guarantor may pay immediately, without giving the
Contractor the opportunity to challenge any non-authentic signatures. An
alternative arrangement would be for the security to specify the Employer's bank
account into which any demanded payment shall be made.
Although Article 27 of URDG defines the applicable law as that of the place of
business of the guarantor, the Employer may prefer to specify (or approve) another
applicable law. In any event, it is wise for the guarantee to specify the applicable
law, for avoidance of misunderstanding on this important matter. Although the
Employer and the guarantor may each prefer its own country's law to apply, and
may not want a security to be subject to an unfamiliar foreign law, the Employer
should consider how he could enforce a valid demand under the applicable law.
He may prefer the law to be that of a country with a well-established case law in
respect of the enforcement of independent guarantees, or which has acceded to
the United Nations Convention on Independent Guarantees and Stand-By Letters
of Credit (New York, 11 December 1995).
The Performance Security proposed in Annex D is a form of conditional accessory
bond, incorporating ICC's Uniform Rules for Contract Bonds ("URCB"). In this
case, the guarantor (typically, a credit insurance company) would need to have
copies of the URCB and the Contract, because its obligations and liabilities are
inseparably linked ("co-extensive") with the Contractor's obligations and liabilities
under the Contract.
The Bond can only be called by reason of a "Default". URCB define "Default" as

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- defects appearing and being notified on the last day of the delayed Defects
Notification Period, and the Contractor failing to remedy them within a
reasonable time.
The example form of Surety Bond does not include any requirement for
authentication of signature(s). Under Article 7g of URCB, each claim under a bond
is copied to the Contractor by the Guarantor before satisfying the claim, so the
Contractor should be able to challenge any non-authentic signatures.
As far as practicable, a similar structure has been adopted for all the proposed
securities in the three Books, so that the necessary differences in substance do
not get confused with differences in style. However, it should be noted that the
General Conditions are equally suitable for other forms of securities.
Article 3 of each of ICC's Uniform Rules lists the following requirements for a
Performance Security:
any breach, default or failure to perform any "Contractual Obligation" which shall
give rise to a claim for performance, damages, compensation or other financial
remedy by the beneficiary and which is established pursuant to paragraph j of
Article 7 of URCB. URCB define "Contractual Obligation" as any duty, obligation
or requirement imposed by a clause, paragraph, section, term, condition,
provision or stipulation contained in or forming part of the Contract.
URCB indicates that, except where a contrary provision is included in the Bond,
it will expire six months after the latest date for performance. This would typically
be during the Defects Notification Period, so a contrary provision must be made.
The quoted expiry date should take account of the possibility of:
- extensions to the Time for Completion,
- the Contractor failing to complete within the extended Time for Completion,
and
URDG 3 states that Guarantees should stipulate
(a) the Contractor;
(b) the Employer;
(c) the guarantor (which may be a bank);
(d) the Contract name/number;
(e) the maximum aggregate liability of the guarantor, and the currencies in
which it is payable;
(f) the guarantee's expiry date;
(g) the terms for demanding payment;
(h) provisions for reduction of (e), if any.*
* if not required, the Security need not mention this aspect
URCB 3a states that the Bond should stipulate:
(i) the Contractor;
(ii) the Employer;
(iii) the guarantor (which may be a credit insurer);
(iv) the Contract;
(v) the Contractual Obligations, if the Bond does not extend to the whole of
the Contract;*
(vi) the maximum aggregate liability of the guarantor;
(vii) provisions for reduction of (vi), if any;*
(viii) the date when the Bond becomes effective;
(ix) whether the guarantor shall be entitled at its option to perform the Contract
(or part of it);
(x) the Bond's expiry date;
(xi) Parties' and guarantor's names, addresses, etc.;
(xii) applicability of Article 7(j)(i), if any;*
(xiii) how disputes under the Bond are to be settled.

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The Contractor shall appoint the Contractor’s
Representative and shall give him all authority
necessary to act on the Contractor’s behalf under
the Contract.
Unless the Contractor’s Representative is named in
the Contract, the Contractor shall, prior to the
Commencement Date, submit to the Engineer for
consent the name and particulars of the person the
Contractor proposes to appoint as Contractor’s
Representative. If consent is withheld or
subsequently revoked, or if the appointed person
fails to act as Contractor’s Representative, the
Contractor shall similarly submit the name and
particulars of another suitable person for such
appointment.
The Contractor shall not, without the prior consent
of the Engineer, revoke the appointment of the
Contractor’s Representative or appoint a
replacement.
The whole time of the Contractor’s Representative
shall be given to directing the Contractor’s
performance of the Contract. If the Contractor’s
Representative is to be temporarily absent from the
Site during the execution of the Works, a suitable
replacement person shall be appointed, subject to
the Engineer’s prior consent, and the Engineer shall
be notified accordingly.
The Contractor’s Representative shall, on behalf of
the Contractor, receive instructions under Sub-
Clause 3.3 [ Instructions of the Engineer ].
The Contractor’s Representative may delegate any
powers, functions and authority to any competent
person, and may at any time revoke the delegation.
the Contract.
Commencement Date, submit to the Engineer for
appointment.
of the Engineer, revoke the appointment of the
replacement.
The whole time of the Contractor’s Representative
shall be given to directing the Contractor’s
performance of the Contract. If the Contractor’s
Representative is to be temporarily absent from the
Site during the execution of the Works, a suitable
replacement person shall be appointed, subject to
the Engineer’s prior consent, and the Engineer shall
be notified accordingly.
The Contractor’s Representative shall, on behalf of
Clause 3.3 [ Instructions of the Engineer ].
The Contractor’s Representative may delegate any
the Contract.
Commencement Date, submit to the Employer for
appointment.
of the Employer, revoke the appointment of the
replacement.
The Contractor's Representative shall, on behalf of
Clause 3.4 [ Instructions ].
The Contractor's Representative may delegate any
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.3 Contractor’s Representative

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Any delegation or revocation shall not take effect
until the Engineer has received prior notice signed
by the Contractor’s Representative, naming the
person and specifying the powers, functions and
authority being delegated or revoked.
The Contractor’s Representative and all these
persons shall be fluent in the language for
communications defined in Sub-Clause 1.4 [ Law
and Language ].
until the Engineer has received prior notice signed
by the Contractor’s Representative, naming the
The Contractor’s Representative and all these
and Language ].
until the Employer has received prior notice signed
by the Contractor's Representative, naming the
The Contractor's Representative and all these
and Language ].
The role of Contractor's Representative is of much more importance than might
be inferred from the few mentions made of this person in the General Conditions.
The Contractor's Representative is the individual responsible for the performance
of the Contractor's obligations under the Contract, including directing the
Contractor's Personnel and Subcontractors. Therefore, before consent is given
under this Sub-Clause, both Parties should be reasonably satisfied that the
proposed individual appears competent for the task. Under Sub-Clause 1.3,
consents are to be given in writing and shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 15; YB 13.1; OB 4.3
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.4 Subcontractors
The Contractor shall not subcontract the whole of
the Works.
The Contractor shall be responsible for the acts or
defaults of any Subcontractor, his agents or
employees, as if they were the acts or defaults of
the Contractor. Unless otherwise stated in the
Particular Conditions:
the Works.
the Contractor. Unless otherwise stated in the
the Works.
the Contractor. Where specified in the Particular
Conditions, the Contractor shall give the Employer
As anticipated in the second sentence of Sub-Clause 4.3, it may be appropriate
for the Contractor's Representative to be named in the Contract. If the
Contractor's Representative is to be named in the Tender and thus in the
Contract, tenderers may wish to name alternates, in case a preferred
representative becomes unavailable during the period of validity of the Tender. If a
named Contractor's Representative has become unavailable by the time the
Contract has commenced, or if he/she is subsequently to be replaced, the
Contractor would have to seek two consents, namely to a revocation and to a
reappointment.

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(a) the Contractor shall not be required to obtain
consent to suppliers of Materials, or to a sub-
contract for which the Subcontractor is
named in the Contract;
(b) the prior consent of the Engineer shall be
obtained to other proposed Subcontractors;
(c) the Contractor shall give the Engineer not
less than 28 days’ notice of the intended
date of the commencement of each Sub-
contractor’s work, and of the commencement
of such work on the Site; and
(d) each subcontract shall include provisions
which would entitle the Employer to require
the subcontract to be assigned to the
Employer under Sub-Clause 4.5 [ Assignment
of Benefit of Subcontract ] (if or when
applicable) or in the event of termination under
Sub-Clause 15.2 [ Termination by Employer ].
(a) the Contractor shall not be required to obtain
consent to suppliers of Materials, or to a sub-
contract for which the Subcontractor is
named in the Contract;
(b) the prior consent of the Engineer shall be
obtained to other proposed Subcontractors;
and
(c) the Contractor shall give the Engineer not
less than 28 days’ notice of the intended
date of the commencement of each Sub-
contractor’s work, and of the commencement
of such work on the Site.
not less than 28 days' notice of:
(a) the intended appointment of the
Subcontractor, with detailed particulars which
shall include his relevant experience,
(b) the intended commencement of the
Subcontractor's work, and
(c) the intended commencement of the
Subcontractor's work on the Site.
CONS P&DB EPCT
"Subcontractors" include the subcontractors named in the Contract, other
persons to whom work has been subcontracted in accordance with this Sub-
Clause, and their respective legal successors; but not their assignees. The
Contractor is responsible for actions and omissions of all Subcontractors.
When the tender documents are being prepared, it may be necessary to consider
the extent to which tenderers are to be required to state their subcontracting
proposals. Subcontractors who are named in the Contract will be considered as
having been accepted by both Parties, so either Party may be able to insist upon
their being used. If the Employer requires tenderers to name their proposed
subcontractors:
- he should ensure that sufficient resources are available during the pre-
contract stage to review their proposals for subcontracting, and
- alternates may be named, in case (after award) the Contractor has difficulty
negotiating a subcontract with the only subcontractor named in the
Contract.
Under CONS or P&DB, the listed criteria are considered applicable to many
contracts but, depending on matters such as the nature of the Works, some of
the sub-paragraphs may need to be amended in the Particular Conditions. Under
Sub-Clause 1.3, the Engineer's consent under (b) shall be given in writing and
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. In respect of a design
Subcontractor under P&DB, the Engineer's prior consent is required under the
first paragraph of Sub-Clause 5.1.
Under EPCT, no requirements for consent or other criteria are generally
appropriate. However, the wording in the General Conditions facilitates the
RB 4.1; YB 4; OB 4.5

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in names of manufacturers and other details of each item of Plant.
Under Sub-Clause 7.7 (a), the Contractor relinquishes ownership of each item of
Plant and Materials when it arrives at the Site. If he is not then to be in breach of
the Contract, he must ensure that the terms of supply subcontracts permit him to
do so.
incorporation of Particular Conditions which specify the extent to which the
Contractor is to give notice of Subcontractors being appointed and commencing
work.
In practice, the Employer may be less interested in the names of Subcontractors
performing the work (which is the scope of this Sub-Clause) and more interested
If a Subcontractor’s obligations extend beyond the
expiry date of the relevant Defects Notification
Period and the Engineer, prior to this date, instructs
the Contractor to assign the benefit of such
obligations to the Employer, then the Contractor
shall do so. Unless otherwise stated in the
assignment, the Contractor shall have no liability to
the Employer for the work carried out by the
Subcontractor after the assignment takes effect.
In this Sub-Clause, "nominated Subcontractor"
means a Subcontractor whom the Engineer, under
Clause 13 [ Variations and Adjustments ], instructs
the Contractor to employ as a Subcontractor. The
Contractor shall not be under any obligation to
employ a nominated Subcontractor against whom
the Contractor raises reasonable objection by notice
to the Engineer as soon as practicable, with
In this Sub-Clause, "nominated Subcontractor"
means a Subcontractor whom the Employer, under
Clause 13 [ Variations and Adjustments ], instructs
the Contractor to employ as a Subcontractor. The
Contractor shall not be under any obligation to
to the Employer as soon as practicable, with
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.5 Assignment of Benefit
of Subcontract
4.5 Nominated Subcontractors
RB 5.9 (See CONS 5)
CONS 4.5 is only likely to be applied if the Employer becomes aware of a
Subcontractor having a continuing and assignable obligation. The General
Conditions do not require the Contractor to advise the Employer that a
Subcontractor's obligations extend beyond the relevant Defects Notification
Period. The Contractor and Employer might need to consider carefully the
terms of the assignment, in case it deprives the Contractor of his right to seek
legal redress from the Subcontractor for latent defects discovered
subsequently. If the Contractor is required to assign all benefits under the
subcontract, including his right to make any future claim against the
Subcontractor for defective performance, it may be appropriate for the terms of
the assignment to:
- entitle the Contractor to require the Employer to make the claim on the
Contractor's behalf, and/or
- relieve the Contractor from any further liability in respect of any work carried
out by this Subcontractor.
P&DB/EPCT 4.5 reduces the Contractor's obligation to comply with an
instruction under Clause 13 to enter into a subcontract with a particular entity,
because of the Contractor's responsibilities under the first paragraph of Sub-
Clause 4.1. The instruction might have named the entity directly, or the instruction
might be of a type with which the Contractor could only comply by employing a
particular entity. No description is given of the basis on which the Contractor
could raise a "reasonable objection". A few of the possible reasons are listed in
CONS 5.2, together with the possibility of overcoming objections by way of an
indemnification by the Employer. If the Employer wishes to nominate a
Subcontractor under P&DB or EPCT, it may be preferable to do so with the
Contractor's agreement, especially in the cases described in sub-paragraph (ii)
and (iii) of P&DB/EPCT 13.1.
RB 4.2; OB 4.6

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The Contractor shall, as specified in the Contract or
as instructed by the Engineer, allow appropriate
opportunities for carrying out work to:
(a) the Employer’s Personnel,
(b) any other contractors employed by the
Employer, and
(c) the personnel of any legally constituted public
authorities,
who may be employed in the execution on or near
the Site of any work not included in the Contract.
Any such instruction shall constitute a Variation if
and to the extent that it causes the Contractor to
incur Unforeseeable Cost. Services for these
personnel and other contractors may include the
use of Contractor’s Equipment, Temporary Works or
access arrangements which are the responsibility of
the Contractor.
If, under the Contract, the Employer is required to
give to the Contractor possession of any
foundation, structure, plant or means of access in
accordance with Contractor’s Documents, the
Contractor shall submit such documents to the
Engineer in the time and manner stated in the
Specification.
as instructed by the Engineer, allow appropriate
(a) the Employer's Personnel,
Employer, and
authorities,
incur Unforeseeable Cost. Services for these
personnel and other contractors may include the
use of Contractor's Equipment, Temporary Works or
access arrangements which are the responsibility of
the Contractor.
The Contractor shall be responsible for his
construction activities on the Site, and shall co-
ordinate his own activities with those of other
contractors to the extent (if any) specified in the
accordance with Contractor's Documents, the
Engineer in the time and manner stated in the
as instructed by the Employer, allow appropriate
(a) the Employer's Personnel,
Employer, and
authorities,
incur Cost in an amount which was not reasonably
date for submission of the Tender. Services for
these personnel and other contractors may include
the use of Contractor's Equipment, Temporary
Works or access arrangements which are the
responsibility of the Contractor.
The Contractor shall be responsible for his
construction activities on the Site, and shall co-
ordinate his own activities with those of other
contractors to the extent (if any) specified in the
accordance with Contractor's Documents, the
Employer in the time and manner stated in the
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.6 Co-operation
RB 31; YB 6.5 & 14.6; OB 4.4
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reasonably foreseeable by an experienced contractor, taking account of the
information available to tenderers, the instruction constitutes a Variation and
Clause 13 applies.
CONS omits the other Books' penultimate paragraph because it is usually
impractical to require a CONS Contractor to co-ordinate his activities with those
of other contractors to an extent which is defined in the Contract and therefore
which the Contractor can allow for in his Tender. The Contractor will nevertheless
be responsible for most of his construction activities on the Site, but there may be
a few exceptions where the Engineer is required to direct some such activities.
These few exceptions are difficult to describe in general terms, so CONS omits
the entire paragraph.
The Contractor shall set out the Works in relation to
original points, lines and levels of reference specified
in the Contract or notified by the Engineer. The
Contractor shall be responsible for the correct
positioning of all parts of the Works, and shall rectify
any error in the positions, levels, dimensions or
alignment of the Works.
The Employer shall be responsible for any errors in
these specified or notified items of reference, but
the Contractor shall use reasonable efforts to verify
their accuracy before they are used.
If the Contractor suffers delay and/or incurs Cost
from executing work which was necessitated by an
error in these items of reference, and an
experienced contractor could not reasonably have
discovered such error and avoided this delay and/or
Cost, the Contractor shall give notice to the
Engineer and shall be entitled subject to Sub-
Clause 20.1 [ Contractor’s Claims ] to:
in the Contract or notified by the Engineer. The
Contractor shall be responsible for the correct
positioning of all parts of the Works, and shall rectify
any error in the positions, levels, dimensions or
alignment of the Works.
The Employer shall be responsible for any errors in
these specified or notified items of reference, but
the Contractor shall use reasonable efforts to verify
their accuracy before they are used.
from executing work which was necessitated by an
error in these items of reference, and an
experienced contractor could not reasonably have
discovered such error and avoided this delay and/or
Cost, the Contractor shall give notice to the
Engineer and shall be entitled subject to Sub-Clause
20.1 [ Contractor's Claims ] to:
in the Contract. The Contractor shall be responsible
for the correct positioning of all parts of the Works,
and shall rectify any error in the positions, levels,
dimensions or alignment of the Works.
As stated in the second sentence of Sub-Clause 2.1, the Contractor may not have
exclusive right of access to, and possession of, the Site. In addition to the
Employer's Personnel, the Contractor must also allow the Employer's other
contractors to carry out their work. Under Sub-Clause 2.3(a), the Employer is
responsible for ensuring that his other contractors co-operate with the
Contractor’s efforts under this Sub-Clause 4.6.
It is preferable for the tender documents to describe the extent to which the
Contractor will have to "allow appropriate opportunities" under Sub-Clause 4.6. If
instructions are given under the first sentence of Sub-Clause 4.6, the Contractor
is expected to have allowed in his Tender for the Cost which an experienced
contractor could reasonably have foreseen. To the extent that the Cost was not
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.7 Setting Out
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Completion ], and
Price.
reasonably have been discovered, and (ii) the
Completion ], and
Price.
reasonably have been discovered, and (ii) the
Typically, the Contractor is responsible for setting out the Works, based upon
items of reference comprising one point, one bearing and a level. From these
minimum survey data references, all setting out can be established.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Employer is responsible for the accuracy of the items
of reference, but the Contractor is required to verify their accuracy to the extent to
which it is practicable to do so. In particular, P&DB 5.1 requires the Contractor to
notify the Engineer of any error or other defect in these items of reference, within
the period stated in the Appendix to Tender. If an error is subsequently found in
any of these original items of reference, which an experienced contractor could
not reasonably have discovered, the Contractor may give notice to the Engineer
in order to be entitled to extension of time and reimbursement of Cost. The
Contractor is also stated as being entitled to reasonable profit, because of the
presumption that the Employer should have been able to have prevented the error.
CONS/P&DB 1.3 requires the Contractor to send a copy of the notice to the
Employer.
8.4 and 20.1.
Under EPCT 5.1 and subject to its sub-paragraphs, the Contractor is responsible
for the accuracy of the setting out data specified in the Employer's Requirements.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 17; YB 8.2; OB 4.7
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.8 Safety Procedures
The Contractor shall:
(a) comply with all applicable safety regulations,
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(b) take care for the safety of all persons entitled
to be on the Site,
(c) use reasonable efforts to keep the Site and
Works clear of unnecessary obstruction so as
to avoid danger to these persons,
(d) provide fencing, lighting, guarding and
watching of the Works until completion and
taking over under Clause 10 [ Employer’s
Taking Over ], and
(e) provide any Temporary Works (including
roadways, footways, guards and fences)
which may be necessary, because of the
execution of the Works, for the use and
protection of the public and of owners and
occupiers of adjacent land.
to be on the Site,
Taking Over ], and
to be on the Site,
Taking Over ], and
(unless the Particular Conditions state otherwise). These things may form part
of the "arrangements and methods which the Contractor proposes to adopt
for the execution of the Works" under Sub-Clause 4.1.
Sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) describe general obligations which may also be
obligations under applicable Laws. These sub-paragraphs are therefore also
included as Employer's obligations in Sub-Clause 2.3(b).
Sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) describe things which the Contractor is to provide
RB 19.1; YB 14.2; OB 4.17
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.9 Quality Assurance
The Contractor shall institute a quality assurance
system to demonstrate compliance with the
requirements of the Contract. The system shall be
in accordance with the details stated in the
Contract. The Engineer shall be entitled to audit any
aspect of the system.
Details of all procedures and compliance
documents shall be submitted to the Engineer for
Contract. The Engineer shall be entitled to audit any
aspect of the system.
documents shall be submitted to the Engineer for
Contract. The Employer shall be entitled to audit
any aspect of the system.
documents shall be submitted to the Employer for
CONS P&DB EPCT
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information before each design and execution stage
is commenced. When any document of a technical
nature is issued to the Engineer, evidence of the
prior approval by the Contractor himself shall be
apparent on the document itself.
Compliance with the quality assurance system shall
not relieve the Contractor of any of his duties,
obligations or responsibilities under the Contract.
nature is issued to the Engineer, evidence of the
nature is issued to the Employer, evidence of the
CONS P&DB EPCT
The Contractor is required to institute a quality assurance system in accordance
with the details stated in the Contract, unless no such details are so stated. The
international standard ISO 9001 introduced the concept of quality assurance, but
it may be inappropriate for some Works or for work in some countries. If this Sub-
Clause is to apply, details of the quality assurance system should be included in
the Contract, and could have been proposed by tenderers.
CONS P&DB EPCT
OB 4.8
4.10 Site Data
The Employer shall have made available to the
Contractor for his information, prior to the Base
Date, all relevant data in the Employer’s possession
on sub-surface and hydrological conditions at the
Site, including environmental aspects. The Employer
shall similarly make available to the Contractor all
such data which come into the Employer’s
possession after the Base Date. The Contractor
shall be responsible for interpreting all such data.
To the extent which was practicable (taking account
of cost and time), the Contractor shall be deemed
to have obtained all necessary information as to
risks, contingencies and other circumstances which
may influence or affect the Tender or Works. To the
same extent, the Contractor shall be deemed to
have inspected and examined the Site, its
Date, all relevant data in the Employer’s possession
on sub-surface and hydrological conditions at the
such data which come into the Employer’s
possession after the Base Date. The Contractor
shall be responsible for interpreting all such data.
To the extent which was practicable (taking account
of cost and time), the Contractor shall be deemed
to have obtained all necessary information as to
risks, contingencies and other circumstances which
may influence or affect the Tender or Works. To the
same extent, the Contractor shall be deemed to
have inspected and examined the Site, its
Date, all relevant data in the Employer's possession
on subsurface and hydrological conditions at the
such data which come into the Employer's
possession after the Base Date.
The Contractor shall be responsible for verifying and
interpreting all such data. The Employer shall have
no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency or
completeness of such data, except as stated in
Sub-Clause 5.1 [ General Design Responsibilities ].
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may find it difficult to anticipate their preferred locations.
Tenderers require considerable data for the preparation of tenders for an EPCT
contract, under which the Contractor assumes much greater risks than under a
CONS or P&DB contract. Since, for example, the risk of sub-surface conditions is
allocated to the Contractor, each tenderer needs to assess how adverse the
actual conditions may be, both in terms of working in these conditions and in
terms of their effect on the design of the works. If the risk of sub-surface
conditions is significant, taking account of the type of works, it may be in the
Employer's interests for the contract to allocate this risk to the Employer, either by
amending EPCT 4.12 or by using P&DB.
In all Books, the Employer asserts that he has made available "all relevant data" in
his possession, which would include:
- data which he obtained from investigations for the Works, and
- data obtained by others, including data which may be publicly available but
is in the Employer's possession.
surroundings, the above data and other available
information, and to have been satisfied before
submitting the Tender as to all relevant matters,
including (without limitation):
(a) the form and nature of the Site, including
sub-surface conditions,
(b) the hydrological and climatic conditions,
(c) the extent and nature of the work and Goods
necessary for the execution and completion
of the Works and the remedying of any
defects,
(d) the Laws, procedures and labour practices of
the Country, and
(e) the Contractor’s requirements for access,
accommodation, facilities, personnel, power,
transport, water and other services.
surroundings, the above data and other available
information, and to have been satisfied before
submitting the Tender as to all relevant matters,
including (without limitation):
(a) the form and nature of the Site, including
sub-surface conditions,
(b) the hydrological and climatic conditions,
(c) the extent and nature of the work and Goods
necessary for the execution and completion
defects,
(d) the Laws, procedures and labour practices of
the Country, and
(e) the Contractor’s requirements for access,
accommodation, facilities, personnel, power,
transport, water and other services.
For many types of Works, the Employer may have carried out many types of
investigations. The latter could include studies of feasibility (to verify the likelihood
of the Works being economically advantageous), and various sub-surface,
hydrological and environmental investigations. Tenderers typically need the factual
results of all these investigations, so that they can foresee the conditions in which
the Works are to be constructed.
Under a P&DB or EPCT contract, and also in the case of a CONS contract which
includes a significant element of Contractor design, tenderers will require data in
order to carry out pre-contract design and determine the details of the works for
which costs are to be estimated (waiting until after award of the Contract
enhances risk). Tenderers for Contractor-design works require as much data as
that required by the Employer's designer under CONS. They may require more
data, because the Employer's designer would co-ordinate the pre-tender sub-
surface investigations to suit his preferred location of each pier of a multi-span
bridge, for example. In contrast, when the Employer arranges for pre-tender
investigations in order to obtain the data needed by the tenderers' designers, he
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 11; YB 11.1; OB 4.9
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The Employer should make as much information as possible available to
tenderers, although it would be unwise for him to state that no other information
was available. For a successful contract, it is in both Parties' interests for all of the
tenderers and (subsequently) both of the Parties to have as much factual
information, relevant to the Site and Works, as is available. However, the
Employer's obligation is only to make "all relevant data … on sub-surface and
hydrological conditions" available. The Employer does not have to (although he
may) make available:
- any data which is clearly not "relevant" to the Contractor's performance of
obligations under the Contract,
- information which is known to be incorrect and thus not "data" (but dubious
data must be made available, albeit with suitable explanations),
- experts' opinions and other non-factual interpretations, which are not
"data",
- information which is neither data on sub-surface conditions nor data on
hydrological conditions. Note that:
(i) "sub-surface conditions" are the conditions below the surface, including
those within a body of water and those below the river-bed or sea-bed,
(ii) "hydrological conditions" means the flows of water, including those in
rivers and the underwater currents in open seas, and
(iii) "environmental aspects" include such matters as the (known or
suspected) presence of pollutants.
In this Sub-Clause, the Employer asserts that all his relevant data (on sub-surface
and hydrological conditions) were made available before the Base Date, and that
he shall similarly make available to the Contractor data which came or comes into
his possession after the Base Date (in effect, between the Base Date and the
completion of the Works). Failure in this respect may have significant
consequences, under the Contract in general and under CONS/P&DB 4.12 in
particular, including the extent to which conditions will be regarded as
"Unforeseeable". In some countries, negligent or intentional withholding of data
may entitle the Contractor to termination, and consequential personal injury may
result in private and/or criminal liability.
The Employer should endeavour to ensure that he obtains all his data as early as
possible: preferably before the tender documents are issued to prospective
tenderers, so that they can study the data before they visit the Site for the first
time. The principle enshrined in the General Conditions is that the Employer
makes data available by the Base Date at the latest, so that tenderers have up to
28 days within which to review the final items of data and finalise their Tenders. If
important or unexpected data becomes available thereafter, such data must be
made available, and it may be appropriate to consider postponing the date by
which the Tenders are to be submitted.
The Contractor is responsible for the interpretation of the Site data, and for
obtaining other information, so far as was practicable. The practicability of
obtaining information will clearly depend upon the time allowed for the preparation
of the Tender, and upon aspects such as the accessibility of the Site. Under EPCT,
the Contractor is also responsible for verifying the data, and the Employer is only
responsible to the extent specified in the sub-paragraphs of EPCT 5.1.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Contractor is deemed to have obtained all other
necessary information, to the extent which was practicable. This extent clearly
depends upon the cost and time necessary to obtain the information, within the
prescribed tender period. No such provisions were considered necessary for
inclusion in EPCT 4.10 because of the greater extent of the Contractor's
responsibilities, particularly those under EPCT 4.12.
The Contractor shall be deemed to:
(a) have satisfied himself as to the correctness
and sufficiency of the Accepted Contract
Amount, and
The Contractor shall be deemed to:
(a) have satisfied himself as to the correctness
and sufficiency of the Accepted Contract
Amount, and
The Contractor shall be deemed to have satisfied
himself as to the correctness and sufficiency of the
Contract Price.
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.11 Sufficiency of the Accepted Contract Amount 4.11 Sufficiency of the Contract Price
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RB 12.1; YB 11.2; OB 4.10
Sub-Clause 4.11 confirms the Contractor's responsibility for the adequacy of
CONS/P&DB's Accepted Contract Amount or of EPCT's Contract Price.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Accepted Contract Amount is a fixed amount, and the
Contract Price is defined in Sub-Clause 14.1.
Under EPCT, the Contract Price is largely referred to as being fixed, at least to a
greater extent than under P&DB. However, EPCT's Contract Price may be
adjusted, so:
- the definition of Contract Price in EPCT 1.1.4.1 refers to the subsequent
"adjustments in accordance with the Contract", and
- the Particular Conditions should define the amount of Performance
Security, advance payment, and limit of Retention Money as percentages
of the "Contract Price stated in the Contract Agreement".
Under CONS/P&DB's sub-paragraph (b), the Contractor is deemed to have
based his Tender on various matters referred to in Sub-Clause 4.10. P&DB's
Accepted Contract Amount is also to have been based upon "any further data
relevant to the Contractor's design", because the information obtained by the
Employer may have been based on design assumptions which were not wholly
identical to those made by the Contractor's designers. The Employer should not
assume, for example, that all tenderers' designers will locate a bridge's piers, or
align a tunnel, the same as the Employer's Personnel may have done.
No such provisions were considered necessary for inclusion in EPCT 4.11,
because of the greater extent of the Contractor's responsibilities, particularly
those under EPCT 4.12.
Unless otherwise stated in the Contract, the Accepted Contract Amount or
EPCT's Contract Price is deemed to cover all the Contractor's obligations. Work
carried out under Provisional Sums (see Sub-Clause 13.5) must therefore be
included within the scope of insurance cover under Clause 18, for example.
(b) have based the Accepted Contract Amount
on the data, interpretations, necessary
information, inspections, examinations and
satisfaction as to all relevant matters referred
to in Sub-Clause 4.10 [ Site Data ].
Unless otherwise stated in the Contract, the Accepted
Contract Amount covers all the Contractor’s
obligations under the Contract (including those under
Provisional Sums, if any) and all things necessary for
the proper execution and completion of the Works
and the remedying of any defects.
(b) have based the Accepted Contract Amount on
the data, interpretations, necessary information,
inspections, examinations and satisfaction as
to all relevant matters referred to in Sub-Clause
4.10 [ Site Data ] and any further data relevant
to the Contractor's design.
Unless otherwise stated in the Contract, the Accepted
Contract Amount covers all the Contractor's
obligations under the Contract (including those under
Provisional Sums, if any) and all things necessary for
the proper design, execution and completion of the
Works and the remedying of any defects.
Unless otherwise stated in the Contract, the Contract
Price covers all the Contractor's obligations under the
Contract (including those under Provisional Sums, if
any) and all things necessary for the proper design,
execution and completion of the Works and the
In this Sub-Clause, “physical conditions” means In this Sub-Clause, "physical conditions" means Except as otherwise stated in the Contract:
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.12 Unforeseeable Physical Conditions 4.12 Unforeseeable Difficulties
CONS P&DB EPCT
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natural physical conditions and man-made and other
physical obstructions and pollutants, which the
Contractor encounters at the Site when executing
the Works, including sub-surface and hydrological
conditions but excluding climatic conditions.
If the Contractor encounters adverse physical
conditions which he considers to have been Unfore-
seeable, the Contractor shall give notice to the
Engineer as soon as practicable.
This notice shall describe the physical conditions,
so that they can be inspected by the Engineer, and
shall set out the reasons why the Contractor
considers them to be Unforeseeable. The
Contractor shall continue executing the Works,
using such proper and reasonable measures as
are appropriate for the physical conditions, and
shall comply with any instructions which the
Engineer may give. If an instruction constitutes a
Variation, Clause 13 [ Variations and Adjustments ]
shall apply.
If and to the extent that the Contractor encounters
physical conditions which are Unforeseeable, gives
such a notice, and suffers delay and/or incurs Cost
due to these conditions, the Contractor shall be
entitled subject to Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor’s
Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
(b) payment of any such Cost, which shall be
included in the Contract Price.
After receiving such notice and inspecting and/or
investigating these physical conditions, the Engineer
natural physical conditions and man-made and other
physical obstructions and pollutants, which the
Contractor encounters at the Site when executing
the Works, including sub-surface and hydrological
conditions but excluding climatic conditions.
If the Contractor encounters adverse physical
conditions which he considers to have been
Unforeseeable, the Contractor shall give notice to
the Engineer as soon as practicable.
This notice shall describe the physical conditions,
so that they can be inspected by the Engineer, and
shall set out the reasons why the Contractor
considers them to be Unforeseeable. The
Contractor shall continue executing the Works,
using such proper and reasonable measures as
are appropriate for the physical conditions, and
shall comply with any instructions which the
Engineer may give. If an instruction constitutes a
Variation, Clause 13 [ Variations and Adjustments ]
shall apply.
If and to the extent that the Contractor encounters
physical conditions which are Unforeseeable, gives
such a notice, and suffers delay and/or incurs Cost
due to these conditions, the Contractor shall be
entitled subject to Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's
Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
After receiving such notice and inspecting and/or
investigating these physical conditions, the Engineer
CONS P&DB EPCT
(a) the Contractor shall be deemed to have
obtained all necessary information as to risks,
contingencies and other circumstances which
may influence or affect the Works;
(b) by signing the Contract, the Contractor
accepts total responsibility for having
foreseen all difficulties and costs of
successfully completing the Works; and
(c) the Contract Price shall not be adjusted to
take account of any unforeseen difficulties or
costs.
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RB 12.2; YB 11.3; OB 4.11
shall proceed in accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5
and (if so) to what extent these physical conditions
were Unforeseeable, and (ii) the matters described
in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) above related to this
extent.
However, before additional Cost is finally agreed or
determined under sub-paragraph (ii), the Engineer
may also review whether other physical conditions
in similar parts of the Works (if any) were more
favourable than could reasonably have been
foreseen when the Contractor submitted the Tender.
If and to the extent that these more favourable
conditions were encountered, the Engineer may
[ Determinations ] to agree or determine the
reductions in Cost which were due to these
conditions, which may be included (as deductions)
in the Contract Price and Payment Certificates.
However, the net effect of all adjustments under
sub-paragraph (b) and all these reductions, for all
the physical conditions encountered in similar parts
of the Works, shall not result in a net reduction in
the Contract Price.
The Engineer may take account of any evidence of
the physical conditions foreseen by the Contractor
when submitting the Tender, which may be made
available by the Contractor, but shall not be bound
by any such evidence.
shall proceed in accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5
and (if so) to what extent these physical conditions
were Unforeseeable, and (ii) the matters described
in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) above related to this
extent.
However, before additional Cost is finally agreed or
determined under sub-paragraph (ii), the Engineer
may also review whether other physical conditions
in similar parts of the Works (if any) were more
favourable than could reasonably have been
foreseen when the Contractor submitted the Tender.
If and to the extent that these more favourable
conditions were encountered, the Engineer may
[ Determinations ] to agree or determine the
reductions in Cost which were due to these
conditions, which may be included (as deductions)
in the Contract Price and Payment Certificates.
However, the net effect of all adjustments under
sub-paragraph (b) and all these reductions, for all
the physical conditions encountered in similar parts
of the Works, shall not result in a net reduction in
the Contract Price.
The Engineer may take account of any evidence of
the physical conditions foreseen by the Contractor
when submitting the Tender, which may be made
available by the Contractor, but shall not be bound
by any such evidence.
Under EPCT, Sub-Clause 4.12 sets out EPCT's principles that risks lie with the
Contractor, except where the contrary is expressly stated in the Contract: in
Clause 19, for example. Therefore, the Contractor is not entitled to compensation
for climatic events or other difficulties, unless they are so adverse and exceptional
as to constitute Force Majeure as defined in Sub-Clause 19.1. The remaining
comments on this Sub-Clause apply to CONS and P&DB only.
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of conditions encountered at "any additional areas which may be obtained by the
Contractor", to which the first sentence of Sub-Clause 4.23 refers.
The Contractor's entitlement arises if such physical conditions are
"Unforeseeable", which means "not reasonably foreseeable by an experienced
contractor by the date for submission of the Tender", taking account (for example)
of Sub-Clause 4.11(b) and of the data and matters mentioned in Sub-Clause 4.10.
In Sub-Clause 4.10, the Employer asserts that all his relevant data (on sub-surface
and hydrological conditions) were made available before the Base Date, and that
he shall similarly make available to the Contractor data which came or comes into
his possession after the Base Date. The Employer should have made data
available by the Base Date at the latest, so that tenderers have 28 days within
which to review the final items of data and finalise their Tenders. If important or
unexpected data becomes available thereafter, such data must also be made
available. It may be appropriate to consider postponing the date by which the
Tenders are to be submitted or, if data becomes available thereafter, to consider
what is to be regarded as "Unforeseeable".
Having encountered physical conditions which he considers may be both adverse
and Unforeseeable, the Contractor should promptly issue a notice, which could
also serve as the notice referred to in the first sentence of Sub-Clause 20.1 (to
which Sub-Clause 4.21(f) refers). Failure to give notice within the period stated in
Sub-Clause 20.1 deprives the Contractor of his entitlement to an extension of time
and compensation. CONS/P&DB 1.3 requires the Contractor to send a copy of
his notices to the Employer.
The notice should describe the physical conditions, state that it is issued under
Sub-Clauses 4.12 and 20.1, and be issued as soon as practicable so that the
Engineer:
- has the maximum opportunity to carry out an inspection and assess for
himself whether the described conditions were Unforeseeable, taking
account of the Contractor's reasons set out in the notice, and
- may consider initiating a Variation (although there is no obligation to do so),
in order to lessen the losses which might otherwise be suffered by the
Employer.
Unless the physical conditions constitute Force Majeure and notice has been
given under Clause 19.2, the Contractor is required to continue executing the
Works, and not await instructions from the Engineer. When an experienced
contractor encounters adverse physical conditions, he is expected to use his
Under CONS or P&DB, Sub-Clause 4.12 entitles the Contractor to an extension of
time for delay, and to reimbursement of additional Cost, if he encounters
Unforeseeable physical conditions at the Site. As asserted in Sub-Clause 4.10, the
Employer will have made available all information which he has, relating to the Site.
Sub-Clause 4.12 not only protects the Contractor if the actual conditions were not
foreseeable. It also protects the Employer by providing a method of dealing with
the possibility of inaccuracies in the data referred to in Sub-Clause 4.10.
The "physical conditions" are defined widely, so as to include natural sub-surface
conditions, natural and artificial physical obstructions, and the presence of
chemical pollutants, for example. The physical conditions are those which the
Contractor "encounters at the Site", so they must be a type of condition which is
physical in the sense that it is "encountered". Climatic conditions on the Site, such
as the direct effects of rainfall, are excluded. Note that:
- "sub-surface conditions" are the conditions below the surface, including
those within a body of water and those below the river-bed or sea-bed,
- "hydrological conditions" means the flows of water, including those which
are attributable to off-Site climatic conditions, and
- "physical conditions" exclude "climatic conditions" at the Site, and therefore
exclude the hydrological consequences of climatic conditions at the Site.
The adjective "Unforeseeable" is defined in Sub-Clause 1.1.6.8 as meaning "not
reasonably foreseeable by an experienced contractor by the date for submission
of the Tender". The question whether hydrological conditions are Unforeseeable
may be resolved by reference to the duration of the Time for Completion of the
Works and to the statistical frequency of the hydrological event, based upon
historic records. For example, if the Time for Completion is three years, an
experienced contractor might be expected to foresee an event which occurs (on
average) once in every six years, but an event which occurs only once in every ten
years might be regarded as Unforeseeable. If hydrological conditions are likely to
have a major effect on the execution of the Works, it may be desirable for the
Contract to define Unforeseeable hydrological conditions and to clarify the
consequences of extremely adverse hydrological conditions.
Note the limitation to the "Site", which means "the places where the Permanent
Works are to be executed and to which Plant and Materials are to be delivered,
and any other places as may be specified in the Contract as forming part of the
Site". These places are those made available by the Employer under Sub-Clause
2.1. Sub-Clause 4.12 does not entitle the Contractor to compensation in respect
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expertise, overcome the conditions, and execute and complete the Works in
accordance with the Contract. Although an experienced contractor should
typically not require guidance on construction techniques, the Engineer should
consider whether there is any need for Variations or other instructions.
Having given such prompt notice, the Contractor is entitled to an extension of time
and reimbursement of the Cost attributable to the Unforeseeable physical
conditions, compared with the anticipated physical conditions which could
reasonably have been foreseen (which are deemed covered by the rates and
prices contained in the Contract). In other words, the payment due should
normally be the sum of:
(a) the original contract value, namely of the work which would have been
required if he had only encountered foreseeable physical conditions, plus
(b) the additional Cost attributable to the extent to which the physical
conditions actually encountered are Unforeseeable. This is the Cost which
is in addition to the cost (deemed included in amounts (a)) which would
have been incurred if he had encountered foreseeable physical conditions.
The original contract value (a) of the work in foreseeable conditions is the various
amounts stated in the Contract, typically for excavating the zone over which the
Unforeseeable conditions were encountered. The Contractor may consider that
he should be paid the total Cost of excavating Unforeseeable conditions, even if
they were only Unforeseeable to a limited degree. However, Sub-Clause 4.12
states that his entitlement is payment of the Cost due to the extent to which the
conditions were Unforeseeable. Typically, it is therefore necessary to identify the
additional time and resources required, compared with those which would have
been involved in the excavation of the zone if it had only comprised foreseeable
physical conditions. In the infrequent cases when the conditions are so adverse
that it proves impossible to determine the costs which would have been incurred
if he had encountered foreseeable physical conditions, it would be reasonable for
the Contractor to be paid his total Cost of excavating the adverse zone (in lieu of
the contract value (a) of excavating foreseeable conditions).
The original contract value (a) above would include the profit which the Contractor
would have earned if he had encountered foreseeable physical conditions. In
effect, the risk is shared, insofar as the Contractor loses the profit which he would
have included in his Tender pricing if he had been aware of the existence of the
adverse conditions.
Under the penultimate paragraph of Sub-Clause 4.12, the Engineer may review
whether physical conditions in any other parts of the Works were more favourable
than could reasonably have been foreseen. This review is described as being
before "additional Cost is finally agreed or determined", the word "finally" confirming
that there may well (and should) have been previous interim determinations of Cost
for the purposes of Interim Payment Certificates. The Engineer should not delay or
withhold his interim determination and certification under Sub-Clause 4.12(a)&(b)
whilst waiting to see if more-favourable conditions are going to be encountered.
Sub-Clause 1.3 states that "determinations shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed"; and Sub-Clause 20.1 entitles the Contractor "to payment for such part
of the claim as he has been able to substantiate".
This penultimate paragraph concludes by preventing a net reduction for all
conditions encountered in similar parts of the Works, in order to impose a
reasonable limitation on the Contractor's liability. The other parts of the Works,
where more-favourable conditions were encountered, must be "similar" to the parts
where adverse Unforeseeable conditions were encountered. Parts of the Works will
be "similar" if their overall construction requirements are similar. For example:
- the Works may comprise a number of similar elements, such as dwellings,
pylons or pumping stations;
- a multi-span structure, such as a viaduct, may have many similar pier
foundations;
- a road cutting or tunnel may have similar section profiles at different locations.
Sub-Clause 4.12 concludes with a paragraph enabling the Engineer to take
account of any reliable evidence of the physical conditions which the Contractor
actually foresaw, although the possibility of misleading evidence having been
prepared for the purposes of this paragraph should not be overlooked. It may be
appropriate for the Contractor to make such reliable evidence available (although
he is not obliged to do so) in order to avoid or resolve a dispute. If a dispute arises
and is referred to arbitration, the arbitrators may be given sight of such evidence,
may wish to question its authors, and may enquire why it was not made available
to the Engineer under this paragraph.
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The Contractor shall bear all costs and charges
for special and/or temporary rights-of-way which
he may require, including those for access to the
Site. The Contractor shall also obtain, at his risk
and cost, any additional facilities outside the Site
which he may require for the purposes of the
Works.
Works.
Works.
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.13 Rights of Way and Facilities
RB 42.3; OB 4.13
This Sub-Clause and Sub-Clause 4.15 assume that access to the Site is
physically practicable, but that the Contractor may need special or temporary
rights-of-way or additional facilities. They may be located on the "additional
areas which may be obtained by the Contractor" mentioned in first sentence
of Sub-Clause 4.23.
The Contractor shall not interfere unnecessarily or
improperly with:
(a) the convenience of the public, or
(b) the access to and use and occupation of all
roads and footpaths, irrespective of whether
they are public or in the possession of the
Employer or of others.
The Contractor shall indemnify and hold the
Employer harmless against and from all damages,
expenses) resulting from any such unnecessary or
improper interference.
improperly with:
improperly with:
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.14 Avoidance of Interference
RB 29
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The Contractor is required to avoid any unnecessary interference, and to
indemnify the Employer in respect of claims from third parties resulting from any
unnecessary or improper interference.
Under the last paragraph of Sub-Clause 17.1, the Employer indemnifies the
Contractor in respect of the matters for which liability may be excluded from
insurance cover, as described in sub-paragraph (d) of Sub-Clause 18.3. Under
Sub-Clauses 17.1 and 18.3(d)(ii), the Employer indemnifies the Contractor from
claims in respect of "damage which is an unavoidable result of the Contractor's
obligations", but not in respect of any other damage which is a result of the
particular arrangements and methods which the Contractor elected to adopt in
order to perform his obligations. The Contractor should adopt appropriate
arrangements and methods so as to minimise claims from third parties due to the
performance of his obligations under the Contract.
4.15 Access Route
CONS P&DB EPCT
The Contractor shall be deemed to have been
satisfied as to the suitability and availability of
access routes to the Site. The Contractor shall use
reasonable efforts to prevent any road or bridge
from being damaged by the Contractor’s traffic or
by the Contractor’s Personnel. These efforts shall
include the proper use of appropriate vehicles and
routes.
(a) the Contractor shall (as between the Parties)
be responsible for any maintenance which
may be required for his use of access
routes;
(b) the Contractor shall provide all necessary
signs or directions along access routes, and
shall obtain any permission which may be
required from the relevant authorities for his
use of routes, signs and directions;
(c) the Employer shall not be responsible for any
claims which may arise from the use or
otherwise of any access route,
(d) the Employer does not guarantee the
suitability or availability of particular access
routes, and
routes.
routes;
routes, and
routes.
routes;
routes, and
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(e) Costs due to non-suitability or non-availability,
for the use required by the Contractor, of
access routes shall be borne by the
Contractor.
Contractor.
Contractor.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 30; OB 4.12
Under Sub-Clause 2.1, the Employer is required to grant the Contractor the
right of access to the Site, such that the Contractor is entitled to go on to the
Site.
The word "route" indicates something which can be represented as a line on a
map, typically overland, without implying that a road to the Site exists. It is only
assumed that there is a route by which access would be physically practicable.
The Contractor is entitled to make use of the route without negotiating with its
owners, but this entitlement does not indicate that the route is suitable for
transport. The wording of the Sub-Clause does not preclude the possibility that
he might have to construct a road along the route. If so, any constraints may need
to be specified in the Contract.
The practical difficulties in getting to and from the Site are to be solved by the
Contractor. Under sub-paragraph (a), he is held responsible for maintaining his
chosen access routes. The phrase "(as between the Parties)" recognises that the
Sub-Clause may well apply to highways which are the responsibility of third
parties, but the Employer has no responsibility under this Sub-Clause for any
failure on their part. However, Sub-Clause 8.5 may be applicable.
If the Site is totally surrounded by land owned by third parties, the Contract should
clarify:
(i) the alignment of the route through the third parties' lands, along which the
Employer will be granting the right of access, and
(ii) how the Contractor can gain access; for example, whether access will be
hindered by third parties' control measures.
If the Site is surrounded by private land, but there is a route to the Site along the
Employer's land, it may be appropriate for the Contract to include details similar
to those of (i) and (ii) above. In some countries, it might even be appropriate (and
in the interests of both Parties) for the Contract to make the Employer responsible
for the maintenance of the part of the access road which is on his land,
notwithstanding this Sub-Clause.
If the Contractor will be installing Plant on a Site on which most personnel are
employed by an entity other than the Contractor, this entity (who might be another
contractor or the Employer) may be the most appropriate maintainer of access
roads. This aspect should be considered by the Employer when preparing the
tender documents.
Unless otherwise stated in the Particular Conditions:
(a) the Contractor shall give the Engineer not
less than 21 days' notice of the date on
which any Plant or a major item of other
Goods will be delivered to the Site;
(a) the Contractor shall give the Engineer not
(a) the Contractor shall give the Employer not
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.16 Transport of Goods
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RB 30.2; YB 22; OB 7.2
Unless this Sub-Clause is amended in the Particular Conditions, the
Contractor is required to give notice of the intended arrival on the Site of any
Plant or of a major item of other Goods, and he is required to indemnify the
Employer in respect of claims arising from their transport.
On some projects, the Employer may need advance warning of arrival of
Goods on a congested Site. P&DB's GPPC proposes a provision requiring the
Contractor to obtain approval before delivery. Alternatively, notice might only
be required in respect of items in excess of specified dimensions or weights.
On some contracts, the indemnity may be considered inappropriate. For
example, the Employer may be made responsible for any damage to bridges
which is attributable to the transport of Plant or Materials, if the Contract
requires the item to be transported in one large piece.
Under the last paragraph of Sub-Clause 17.1, the Employer indemnifies the
Contractor in respect of the matters for which liability may be excluded from
insurance cover, as described in sub-paragraph (d) of Sub-Clause 18.3. Under
Sub-Clauses 17.1 and 18.3(d)(ii), the Employer indemnifies the Contractor
from claims in respect of "damage which is an unavoidable result of the
Contractor's obligations", but not in respect of any other damage which is a
result of the particular arrangements and methods which the Contractor
elected to adopt in order to perform his obligations. The Contractor should
adopt appropriate arrangements and methods so as to minimise claims from
third parties due to the performance of his obligations under the Contract.
Under Sub-Clause 18.2, Goods must be insured when they are within the
Country. If they are being manufactured in the Country, it may be difficult to
define the stage of manufacture at which an item constitutes "Goods" and
must therefore be insured.
(b) the Contractor shall be responsible for
packing, loading, transporting, receiving,
unloading, storing and protecting all Goods
and other things required for the Works; and
(c) the Contractor shall indemnify and hold the
Employer harmless against and from all
damages, losses and expenses (including
legal fees and expenses) resulting from the
transport of Goods, and shall negotiate and
pay all claims arising from their transport.
The Contractor shall be responsible for all
Contractor’s Equipment. When brought on to the
Site, Contractor’s Equipment shall be deemed to be
exclusively intended for the execution of the Works.
Contractor’s Equipment. When brought on to the
Site, Contractor’s Equipment shall be deemed to be
Contractor's Equipment. When brought on to the
Site, Contractor's Equipment shall be deemed to be
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.17 Contractor’s Equipment
CONS P&DB EPCT
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Contractor's Equipment, which includes Subcontractor's equipment, is deemed to
be intended for the execution of the Works, and not for use elsewhere. Consent is
required before each major item leaves the Site, except in respect of transport
vehicles, which typically leave the Site daily. Under Sub-Clause 1.3, consent shall
be given in writing and shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
Reasonable grounds for withholding consent might be based upon indications in
previous submissions, which (for example) may have indicated that the item
would be required at a later stage. The item might become unavailable if it arrived
on another site and was then deemed to be intended for exclusive use there.
Previous submissions under the following Sub-Clauses may be relevant:
4.1 details of the arrangements and methods which the Contractor
proposes to adopt for the execution of the Works;
4.21 progress reports;
8.3 programme.
The Contractor shall not remove from the Site any
major items of Contractor’s Equipment without the
consent of the Engineer. However, consent shall not
be required for vehicles transporting Goods or
Contractor’s Personnel off Site.
The Contractor shall not remove from the Site any
major items of Contractor’s Equipment without the
consent of the Engineer. However, consent shall not
be required for vehicles transporting Goods or
Contractor’s Personnel off Site.
RB 54.1 & 54.2; YB 14.1; OB 4.16
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.18 Protection of the Environment
The Contractor shall take all reasonable steps to
protect the environment (both on and off the Site)
and to limit damage and nuisance to people and
property resulting from pollution, noise and other
results of his operations.
The Contractor shall ensure that emissions, surface
discharges and effluent from the Contractor’s
activities shall not exceed the values indicated in the
Specification, and shall not exceed the values
prescribed by applicable Laws.
discharges and effluent from the Contractor's
Employer's Requirements, and shall not exceed the
values prescribed by applicable Laws.
discharges and effluent from the Contractor's
Employer's Requirements, and shall not exceed the
values prescribed by applicable Laws.
RB 19.1(c); OB 4.18
CONS P&DB EPCT
The Contractor is required to take all reasonable steps to protect the environment,
and is required to limit emissions to specified values. If he fails to do so, the
Contractor would be liable. He is not required to indemnify the Employer under this
Sub-Clause, but Sub-Clause 17.1 may be applicable. See also Sub-Clause 2.3(b).
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CONS P&DB EPCT
4.19 Electricity, Water and Gas
The Contractor shall, except as stated below, be
responsible for the provision of all power, water and
other services he may require.
The Contractor shall be entitled to use for the
purposes of the Works such supplies of electricity,
water, gas and other services as may be available
on the Site and of which details and prices are
given in the Specification. The Contractor shall, at
his risk and cost, provide any apparatus necessary
for his use of these services and for measuring the
quantities consumed.
The quantities consumed and the amounts due (at
these prices) for such services shall be agreed or
determined by the Engineer in accordance with
Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s Claims ] and Sub-
Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ]. The Contractor shall
pay these amounts to the Employer.
given in the Employer's Requirements. The
Contractor shall, at his risk and cost, provide any
apparatus necessary for his use of these services
and for measuring the quantities consumed.
determined by the Engineer in accordance with
Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer's Claims ] and Sub-
Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ]. The Contractor shall
pay these amounts to the Employer.
given in the Employer's Requirements. The
Contractor shall, at his risk and cost, provide any
apparatus necessary for his use of these services
and for measuring the quantities consumed.
determined in accordance with Sub-Clause 2.5
[ Employer's Claims ] and Sub-Clause 3.5
[ Determinations ]. The Contractor shall pay these
amounts to the Employer.
Sub-Clauses 4.19 and 4.20 include basic provisions in respect of things which the
Employer may be able to provide for the Contractor's use, thereby reducing the
overall costs of the project. The provisions entitle the Contractor to use whichever
of these things are described as being available, in the Contract: in CONS'
Specification, or in P&DB/EPCT's Employer's Requirements. These Sub-Clauses
do not require the Employer to make available, and do not entitle the Contractor to
use, anything which is not so described as being available, in the Contract.
Sub-Clause 4.19 includes basic provisions in respect of utility services, including
YB 14.3; OB 4.19
any which are under the care and control of the Employer. The first sentence of
the Sub-Clause excludes the Employer's responsibility, except to the extent (if
any) to which he has undertaken to make specified services available.
When preparing the tender documents, the Employer may wish to consider whether
it would be advisable to take any responsibility in respect of existing utility services.
For example, if the Site is an unoccupied (green-field) site, the Employer may prefer
to let the Contractor make any necessary arrangements direct with the providers of
these utility services, and not involve the Employer in the arrangements.
The second paragraph only relates to the Contractor's activities, and not to the
operation of the Works after handing over. The Contractor cannot prevent the
Employer operating the Works in such a way that "emissions, surface discharges
and effluent" exceed "the values indicated". Matters such as emission requirements
for the Contractor-designed Works should be specified in P&DB/EPCT's
Employer's Requirements, and could form part of the Tests after Completion.
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4.20 Employer’s Equipment and Free-Issue Material
CONS P&DB EPCT
The Employer shall make the Employer’s Equipment
(if any) available for the use of the Contractor in the
execution of the Works in accordance with the
details, arrangements and prices stated in the
Specification. Unless otherwise stated in the
Specification:
(a) the Employer shall be responsible for the
Employer’s Equipment, except that
(b) the Contractor shall be responsible for each
item of Employer’s Equipment whilst any of
the Contractor’s Personnel is operating it,
driving it, directing it or in possession or
control of it.
The appropriate quantities and the amounts due (at
such stated prices) for the use of Employer’s
Equipment shall be agreed or determined by the
Engineer in accordance with Sub-Clause 2.5
[ Employer’s Claims ] and Sub-Clause 3.5
The Employer shall supply, free of charge, the “free-
issue materials” (if any) in accordance with the
details stated in the Specification. The Employer
shall, at his risk and cost, provide these materials at
the time and place specified in the Contract. The
Contractor shall then visually inspect them, and
shall promptly give notice to the Engineer of any
shortage, defect or default in these materials.
The Employer shall make the Employer's Equipment
Employer's Requirements. Unless otherwise stated
in the Employer's Requirements:
Employer's Equipment, except that
item of Employer's Equipment whilst any of
the Contractor's Personnel is operating it,
control of it.
such stated prices) for the use of Employer's
Equipment shall be agreed or determined by the
Engineer in accordance with Sub-Clause 2.5
[ Employer's Claims ] and Sub-Clause 3.5
The Employer shall supply, free of charge, the "free-
issue materials" (if any) in accordance with the
details stated in the Employer's Requirements. The
Employer shall, at his risk and cost, provide these
materials at the time and place specified in the
Contract. The Contractor shall then visually inspect
them, and shall promptly give notice to the
Engineer of any shortage, defect or default in these
The Employer shall make the Employer's Equipment
Employer's Requirements. Unless otherwise stated
in the Employer's Requirements:
Employer's Equipment, except that
item of Employer's Equipment whilst any of
the Contractor's Personnel is operating it,
control of it.
such stated prices) for the use of Employer's
Equipment shall be agreed or determined in
accordance with Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer's
Claims ] and Sub-Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ]. The
Contractor shall pay these amounts to the
Employer.
The Employer shall supply, free of charge, the "free-
issue materials" (if any) in accordance with the
details stated in the Employer's Requirements. The
Employer shall, at his risk and cost, provide these
materials at the time and place specified in the
Contract. The Contractor shall then visually inspect
them, and shall promptly give notice to the
Employer of any shortage, defect or default in these
If the Employer is to make any of these services available, details and prices must
be given in CONS' Specification, or P&DB/EPCT's Employer's Requirements. If
the Contractor will need to rely upon the continued availability of a service, the
Contract should indicate who bears the cost of a failure in the supply. It may be
reasonable for the Employer to be responsible for services which he controls,
and for other specified services to be at the risk of the Contractor.
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Unless otherwise agreed by both Parties, the
Employer shall immediately rectify the notified
shortage, defect or default.
After this visual inspection, the free-issue materials
shall come under the care, custody and control of
the Contractor. The Contractor’s obligations of
inspection, care, custody and control shall not relieve
the Employer of liability for any shortage, defect or
default not apparent from a visual inspection.
materials. Unless otherwise agreed by both Parties,
the Employer shall immediately rectify the notified
the Contractor. The Contractor's obligations of
materials. Unless otherwise agreed by both Parties,
the Employer shall immediately rectify the notified
the Contractor. The Contractor's obligations of
CONS P&DB EPCT
YB 14.4; OB 4.20
Sub-Clauses 4.19 and 4.20 include basic provisions in respect of things which the
Employer may be able to provide, thereby reducing the overall costs of the project.
The provisions entitle the Contractor to use whichever of these things are
described as being available, in the Contract: in CONS' Specification, or in
P&DB/EPCT's Employer's Requirements. These Sub-Clauses do not require the
Employer to make available, and do not entitle the Contractor to use, anything
which is not so described as being available, in the Contract.
Sub-Clause 4.20 refers to the possibility of two categories of items being made
available to the Contractor:
- Employer's Equipment, which Sub-Clause 1.1.6.3 defines as excluding
Plant which has not been taken over by the Employer, and
- "free-issue materials", namely the materials which are to be issued to the
Contractor, free of charge. Although some free-issue materials may be
required to be incorporated into the Works, they do not become "Materials"
and "Goods" which are to be provided by the Contractor (see Sub-Clauses
1.1.5.3 and 4.1).
When preparing the tender documents, the Employer may wish to consider
whether it would be advisable to have responsibility for making any items available.
It is usually preferable to let the Contractor select his Equipment and make the
necessary arrangements direct with manufacturers and suppliers for procurement
of all necessary equipment, plant and materials. However, the Employer may, for
example, elect to provide the following, accepting the risks of so doing:
- any Employer's cranes (or his other equipment) which are permanently
allocated to the Site, and/or
- any plant and/or materials which will take so long to procure that the Works
would be completed sooner if they are ordered before the Parties enter into
the Contract.
For Employer's Equipment, the details in CONS' Specification or in P&DB/EPCT's
Employer's Requirements should include details of the equipment, availability
arrangements, prices, and particular requirements such as who will drive or
operate the items, and/or who will be responsible for their care, custody, control
and insurance. Such details take precedence over the typical provisions contained
in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Sub-Clause.
For free-issue materials, the details in CONS' Specification or in P&DB/EPCT's
Employer's Requirements should include details of the materials, availability
arrangements (time, place, transport and/or off-loading arrangements, and the
like), and particular requirements (for example, to give the Contractor the
opportunity to suggest minor modifications to fabricated materials so as to
facilitate installation). After each item of free-issue materials has been issued to the
Contractor, it comes under his care, custody and control. The Contractor may
consider it advisable to effect insurance in respect of his liability, even if no such
requirement is stated in CONS' Specification or in P&DB/EPCT's Employer's
Requirements.
The Contract requirements in respect of Plant and Materials, including fitness for
purpose, do not impose obligations in respect of plant and materials provided by
the Employer.
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4.21 Progress Reports
Unless otherwise stated in the Particular Conditions,
monthly progress reports shall be prepared by the
Contractor and submitted to the Engineer in six
copies. The first report shall cover the period up to
the end of the first calendar month following the
Commencement Date. Reports shall be submitted
monthly thereafter, each within 7 days after the last
day of the period to which it relates.
Reporting shall continue until the Contractor has
completed all work which is known to be
outstanding at the completion date stated in the
Taking-Over Certificate for the Works.
Each report shall include:
(a) charts and detailed descriptions of progress,
including each stage of design (if any),
Contractor’s Documents, procurement,
manufacture, delivery to Site, construction,
erection and testing; and including these
stages for work by each nominated Sub-
contractor (as defined in Clause 5
[ Nominated Subcontractors ]),
(b) photographs showing the status of
manufacture and of progress on the Site;
(c) for the manufacture of each main item of
Plant and Materials, the name of the
manufacturer, manufacture location,
percentage progress, and the actual or
expected dates of:
(i) commencement of manufacture,
(ii) Contractor’s inspections,
(iii) tests, and
(iv) shipment and arrival at the Site;
Contractor and submitted to the Engineer in six
including each stage of design, Contractor's
Documents, procurement, manufacture,
delivery to Site, construction, erection,
testing, commissioning and trial operation;
expected dates of:
(ii) Contractor's inspections,
(iii) tests, and
Contractor and submitted to the Employer in six
including each stage of design, Contractor's
delivery to Site, construction, erection,
testing, commissioning and trial operation;
expected dates of:
(ii) Contractor's inspections,
(iii) tests, and
CONS P&DB EPCT
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(d) the details described in Sub-Clause 6.10
[ Records of Contractor’s Personnel and
Equipment ];
(e) copies of quality assurance documents, test
results and certificates of Materials;
(f) list of notices given under Sub-Clause 2.5
[ Employer’s Claims ] and notices given under
Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor’s Claims ];
(g) safety statistics, including details of any
hazardous incidents and activities relating to
environmental aspects and public relations;
and
(h) comparisons of actual and planned progress,
with details of any events or circumstances
which may jeopardise the completion in
accordance with the Contract, and the
measures being (or to be) adopted to
overcome delays.
[ Records of Contractor's Personnel and
Equipment ];
(f) list of Variations, notices given under Sub-
Clause 2.5 [ Employer's Claims ] and notices
given under Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's
Claims ];
and
which may jeopardise the completion in
overcome delays.
[ Records of Contractor's Personnel and
Equipment ];
(f) list of Variations, notices given under Sub-
Clause 2.5 [ Employer's Claims ] and notices
given under Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's
Claims ];
and
which may jeopardize the completion in
overcome delays.
CONS P&DB EPCT
Unless this Sub-Clause is amended (or deleted) in the Particular Conditions, the
Contractor is required to submit monthly reports. The Sub-Clause specifies them
in some detail, but it is recognised that less detail may be appropriate for some
projects. This detailed report on the progress during the month is considered to
be an essential part of competent project management.
Under Sub-Clause 14.3, the Contractor's Statement has to be submitted
together with supporting documents which include the report in accordance with
OB 4.15
Sub-Clause 4.21. The period for payment under paragraph (b) of Sub-Clause
14.7 does not commence until all these supporting documents have been
received.
The Contractor is to provide these reports regularly, until he has completed all
work which is known to be outstanding at the completion date stated in the
Taking-Over Certificate for the Works; namely, the work which is mentioned in
Sub-Clause 11.1(a).
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(a) the Contractor shall be responsible for
keeping unauthorised persons off the Site,
and
(b) authorised persons shall be limited to the
Contractor’s Personnel and the Employer’s
Personnel; and to any other personnel
notified to the Contractor, by the Employer or
the Engineer, as authorised personnel of the
Employer’s other contractors on the Site.
and
notified to the Contractor, by the Employer or
the Engineer, as authorised personnel of the
and
notified to the Contractor, by (or on behalf of)
the Employer, as authorised personnel of the
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.22 Security of the Site
On many sites, it is important (for legal and practical reasons) to allocate
responsibility for security. Unless this Sub-Clause is amended in the Particular
Conditions, the Contractor is responsible for security. Typically, he may be the only
organisation whose personnel are on the Site full-time.
YB 14.7; OB 4.22
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.23 Contractor’s Operations on Site
The Contractor shall confine his operations to the
Site, and to any additional areas which may be
obtained by the Contractor and agreed by the
Engineer as working areas. The Contractor shall
take all necessary precautions to keep Contractor’s
Equipment and Contractor’s Personnel within the
Site and these additional areas, and to keep them
off adjacent land.
During the execution of the Works, the Contractor
shall keep the Site free from all unnecessary
obstruction, and shall store or dispose of any
Engineer as working areas. The Contractor shall
take all necessary precautions to keep Contractor’s
Equipment and Contractor’s Personnel within the
off adjacent land.
Employer as working areas. The Contractor shall
take all necessary precautions to keep Contractor's
Equipment and Contractor's Personnel within the
off adjacent land.
When preparing the tender documents, the Employer may wish to consider
amending this Sub-Clause and accepting responsibility for security.
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Contractor’s Equipment or surplus materials. The
Contractor shall clear away and remove from the
Site any wreckage, rubbish and Temporary Works
which are no longer required.
Upon the issue of a Taking-Over Certificate, the
Contractor shall clear away and remove, from that
part of the Site and Works to which the Taking-Over
Certificate refers, all Contractor’s Equipment,
surplus material, wreckage, rubbish and Temporary
Works. The Contractor shall leave that part of the
Site and the Works in a clean and safe condition.
However, the Contractor may retain on Site, during
the Defects Notification Period, such Goods as are
required for the Contractor to fulfil obligations under
the Contract.
Contractor’s Equipment or surplus materials. The
Upon the issue of a Taking-Over Certificate, the
Contractor shall clear away and remove, from that
part of the Site and Works to which the Taking-Over
Certificate refers, all Contractor’s Equipment,
surplus material, wreckage, rubbish and Temporary
Works. The Contractor shall leave that part of the
Site and the Works in a clean and safe condition.
However, the Contractor may retain on Site, during
the Defects Notification Period, such Goods as are
required for the Contractor to fulfil obligations under
the Contract
Contractor's Equipment or surplus materials. The
Upon the issue of the Taking-Over Certificate for the
Works, the Contractor shall clear away and remove
all Contractor's Equipment, surplus material,
wreckage, rubbish and Temporary Works. The
Contractor shall leave the Site and the Works in a
clean and safe condition. However, the Contractor
may retain on Site, during the Defects Notification
Period, such Goods as are required for the
Contractor to fulfil obligations under the Contract.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 32 & 33; YB 14.5; OB 4.21 & 4.23
The Contractor is required to confine his operations to:
- the Site, which the Employer made available, to which Plant and Materials
are delivered, and on which the Permanent Works are executed,
and
- any agreed additional working areas, which do not become parts of the
Site. These agreed working areas are obtained by the Contractor, the
Employer is not responsible for them, Plant and Materials are not
required to be delivered thereto, and Permanent Works are not executed
thereon.
The Employer will usually require such restrictions, so as to facilitate the
inspections carried out by the Employer's Personnel. The Employer may also wish
to minimise inconvenience to, and claims from, the occupiers of land which is
adjacent to the Site, rather than merely relying upon Sub-Clause 17.1.
The Contractor is held responsible for keeping the Site tidy, and for removing
rubbish from a part of the Works for which a Taking-Over Certificate has already
been issued. Therefore, a Taking-Over Certificate cannot be withheld for the sole
reason that rubbish has not yet been removed, unless it prejudices safe use,
because this Sub-Clause refers to it being removed after the Taking-Over
Certificate is issued.
Having received a Taking-Over Certificate, the Contractor must evacuate the part
taken over, except that any necessary Goods may be retained on the Site. Under
EPCT, the last paragraph of the Sub-Clause only relates to the Taking-Over
Certificate for the Works, consistent with the "turnkey" concept.
CONS P&DB EPCT
4.24 Fossils
All fossils, coins, articles of value or antiquity, and
structures and other remains or items of geological
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or archaeological interest found on the Site shall be
placed under the care and authority of the
Employer. The Contractor shall take reasonable
precautions to prevent Contractor's Personnel or
other persons from removing or damaging any of
these findings.
The Contractor shall, upon discovery of any such
finding, promptly give notice to the Engineer, who
shall issue instructions for dealing with it. If the
Contractor suffers delay and/or incurs Cost from
complying with the instructions, the Contractor shall
give a further notice to the Engineer and shall be
Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
matters.
these findings.
finding, promptly give notice to the Engineer, who
give a further notice to the Engineer and shall be
Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
matters.
these findings.
finding, promptly give notice to the Employer, who
give a further notice to the Employer and shall be
Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
added to the Contract Price.
After receiving this further notice, the Employer shall
matters.
CONS P&DB EPCT
reference to the finding having to be unforeseeable, because the Contract should
specify the procedure in respect of foreseeable findings. CONS/P&DB 1.3
8.4 and 20.1.
As between the Parties, fossils and other antiquities are the property of and the
liability of the Employer, although other parties may have rights and/or liabilities
under the Laws of the Country.
The Contractor is required to give notice upon discovery of the finding, and await
instructions for dealing with it. He should endeavour to utilise his resources
economically, but he is entitled to extension of time and reimbursement of Costs
arising from compliance with the instructions. The Sub-Clause makes no
RB 27; OB 4.24
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This Clause includes basic provisions which should only be invoked with a degree
of caution. Generally, the Contractor should be given reasonable freedom to
decide (subject to Sub-Clause 4.4) what parts of the Works he wishes to
subcontract, and to whom. The Contractor's freedom to subcontract may be
restricted other than by invoking Clause 5:
- If there are particular restrictions related to the manufacturer of certain items
of Plant or Materials, the Specification may refer to the named manufacturer
without making him a nominated Subcontractor.
- If the Employer wishes to ensure that a part of the Works is executed by a
specialist company and not by the Contractor himself, the Specification
may list acceptable potential Subcontractors, and/or tenderers could be
invited to specify their chosen Subcontractors in a Schedule. For avoidance
of doubt, the Specification or Schedule may also state that the
Subcontractor is not a nominated Subcontractor under this Clause.
- If the Employer wishes to ensure that part of the project is designed and
executed by a specialist company, and/or wishes to participate (either
directly or through the Engineer) in the choice of plant to be provided by
such company, a separate contract may be less problematic than a
nominated subcontract.
In accordance with the second sentence of Sub-Clause 4.4, the Contractor is
responsible for the acts or defaults of each nominated Subcontractor. The
Employer and Engineer should not deal directly with a nominated Subcontractor
(or with any Subcontractor) but should only deal with the Contractor (unless he
agrees otherwise).
The following apparent advantages of instructing the employment of a nominated
Subcontractor may be persuasive, namely that the Employer and/or Engineer:
- can choose the specialist company: as noted above, this can be achieved
other than by nomination;
- can participate in the choice of plant: again, this can be achieved other than
by nomination, and the need to discuss technical matters through the
Contractor often causes problems; and/or
- can avoid participation in co-ordination of the interface between the
nominated Subcontractor's and the Contractor's works: this apparent
advantage is frequently not achieved in practice, because the Contractor
may incur Cost as a result of the requirements for co-ordination, and the
Contractor may have been unaware of them and/or of the terms of the
subcontract when he priced his Tender (which thus excluded such Cost).
In the Contract, “nominated Subcontractor” means
a Subcontractor:
(a) who is stated in the Contract as being a
nominated Subcontractor, or
(b) whom the Engineer, under Clause 13
[ Variations and Adjustments ], instructs the
Contractor to employ as a Subcontractor.
5.1 Definition of “nominated Subcontractor”
CONS
RB 59.1
Clause 5 CONS: Nominated Subcontractors
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subcontract.
(b) The Engineer may instruct the Contractor to employ a named specialist
company; typically under Sub-Clause 13.3 (as a Variation), under Sub-
Clause 13.5 (in respect of a Provisional Sum), or under Sub-Clause 13.6 (as
daywork).
Sub-Clause 5.1 defines two types of nominated Subcontractor, without implying
that any Subcontractors will be nominated:
(a) The Contract may specify the named specialist company to be appointed
for a particular part of the Works; in which case it should also specify co-
ordination and other requirements, and the terms of the proposed
5.2 Objection to Nomination
The Contractor shall not be under any obligation to
to the Engineer as soon as practicable, with
supporting particulars. An objection shall be
deemed reasonable if it arises from (among other
things) any of the following matters, unless the
Employer agrees to indemnify the Contractor
against and from the consequences of the matter:
(a) there are reasons to believe that the Sub-
contractor does not have sufficient
competence, resources or financial strength;
(b) the subcontract does not specify that the
nominated Subcontractor shall indemnify the
Contractor against and from any negligence
or misuse of Goods by the nominated
Subcontractor, his agents and employees; or
(c) the subcontract does not specify that, for the
subcontracted work (including design, if any),
the nominated Subcontractor shall:
(i) undertake to the Contractor such
obligations and liabilities as will enable the
Contractor to discharge his obligations
and liabilities under the Contract, and
(ii) indemnify the Contractor against and from
CONS
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all obligations and liabilities arising under
or in connection with the Contract and
from the consequences of any failure by
the Subcontractor to perform these
obligations or to fulfil these liabilities.
RB 59.2 & 59.3
CONS
Some of the other problems which can arise, in addition to those mentioned in
the above comments on Clause 5, are indicated in the matters described in the
sub-paragraphs of Sub-Clause 5.2.
If the Contractor wishes to object to the nomination, he must do so promptly,
describing all the grounds on which his objections are based. The grounds need
not be restricted to those described in the sub-paragraphs, although they list the
most likely grounds for objection under a CONS contract. The grounds listed in
these sub-paragraphs may also be relevant to objections raised under Sub-
Clause 4.5 of a P&DB or EPCT contract, but may not be the most likely grounds.
The Sub-Clause provides the Employer with a possible resolution of the objection,
namely indemnification. The Engineer is not authorised to issue such indemnities
on behalf of the Employer.
If the Contractor does not object to the nomination, or if his objections are
resolved by indemnification and/or negotiations between the Parties and the
prospective Subcontractor, the Contractor must comply with the instruction in
accordance with Sub-Clauses 3.3 and 5.1(b).
The Contractor shall pay to the nominated Sub-
contractor the amounts which the Engineer certifies
to be due in accordance with the subcontract.
These amounts plus other charges shall be included
in the Contract Price in accordance with sub-
paragraph (b) of Sub-Clause 13.5 [ Provisional
Sums ], except as stated in Sub-Clause 5.4
[ Evidence of Payments ].
5.3 Payments to nominated Subcontractors
CONS
RB 59.4
Sub-Clause 13.5(b) states that the Contractor shall be paid the actual amounts
which he pays to the nominated Subcontractor plus a percentage for the
Contractor's overheads and profit. The Engineer is required to certify such actual
amounts as are due to be paid to the Subcontractor. These certificates may be in
the form of a letter incorporating the following words:
"We hereby certify that the amount of … is due to be paid to … in respect of his
application for payment...”…
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CONS
Before issuing a Payment Certificate which includes
an amount payable to a nominated Subcontractor,
the Engineer may request the Contractor to supply
reasonable evidence that the nominated Sub-
contractor has received all amounts due in
accordance with previous Payment Certificates, less
applicable deductions for retention or otherwise.
Unless the Contractor:
(a) submits this reasonable evidence to the
Engineer, or
(b) (i) satisfies the Engineer in writing that the
Contractor is reasonably entitled to
withhold or refuse to pay these amounts,
and
(ii) submits to the Engineer reasonable
evidence that the nominated
Subcontractor has been notified of the
Contractor’s entitlement,
then the Employer may (at his sole discretion) pay,
direct to the nominated Subcontractor, part or all of
such amounts previously certified (less applicable
deductions) as are due to the nominated Sub-
contractor and for which the Contractor has failed to
submit the evidence described in sub-paragraphs (a)
or (b) above. The Contractor shall then repay, to the
Employer, the amount which the nominated Sub-
contractor was directly paid by the Employer.
5.4 Evidence of Payments
RB 59.5
The Engineer should not normally request evidence of previous payments,
unless he has reason to believe that the Contractor is in default under the
subcontract.
The nominated Subcontractor may feel that, since he was selected and
nominated by (or on behalf of) the Employer, he should be entitled to seek the
support of the Employer or Engineer in respect of any disagreements which he
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is having with the Contractor. However, the Employer may have originally opted
for nomination with the intention of minimising any dealings with the
Subcontractor.
The Engineer has no stated duty to request the evidence of previous payments.
The nominated Subcontractor is not a party to the Contract, so he is not entitled
to rely upon its provisions. However, he may be entitled to certain rights under the
applicable law, particularly if specific undertakings were given to the
Subcontractor to encourage him to enter into the subcontract. Such undertakings
should be honoured, and should have been copied to the tenderers for the main
Contract.
If the Engineer requests the evidence of previous payments to a nominated
Subcontractor, he must do so sufficiently in advance of issuing a Payment
Certificate. The Contractor must be allowed a reasonable time to present the
documents described in sub-paragraph (a) or (b), and the Engineer will need time
to review these documents and issue a Payment Certificate within the time
specified in Clause 14.
If the Contractor fails to provide the documents described in sub-paragraph (a) or
(b) of Sub-Clause 5.4, the Employer is entitled to pay the Subcontractor directly.
There is no obligation to do so, unless (as mentioned above) specific undertakings
were given. Payment is at the Employer's (not the Engineer's) discretion. The
Engineer should therefore consult the Employer before requesting the Contractor
to provide the reasonable evidence.
If the Employer elects to pay the Subcontractor directly, he should ensure that the
procedure set out in this Sub-Clause is adhered to. In accordance with Sub-
Clause 2.5:
- the Employer or the Engineer should give prompt notice to the Contractor
of the amount which the Employer directly paid, and
- "This amount may be included as a deduction in the Contract Price and
Payment Certificates."
If the procedures specified in Sub-Clauses 2.5 and 5.4 are not adhered to, the
Employer may not be entitled to this deduction.
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Although the General Conditions do not refer to any specified stages of the design
process, it may comprise three stages:
(a) Conceptual design by (or on behalf of) the Employer, for inclusion in the
Employer's Requirements in order to define the Works. This might involve
less than 10% of total design input, and it might be necessary to distinguish
between early ideas and definite requirements.
(b) Preliminary design by (or on behalf of) each tenderer for inclusion in the
Tender (including P&DB's Proposal). The Instructions to Tenderers should
have indicated the extent of detail required, taking account of tenderers'
understandable reluctance to incur excessive tendering costs if the
likelihood of success seemed low.
(c) Final design for the working drawings (Contractor's Documents), which
might involve two sub-stages: general arrangement drawings and detailed
drawings. Note that the fourth paragraph of Sub-Clause 5.2 refers to each
document being ready "for use", which could cover the completion of a
general arrangement drawing which is to be used for the next design stage,
but is not itself to be used for construction or manufacture.
If the Contractor is required to be responsible for a design provided by the
Employer, tenderers must be allowed to check the design and to propose
amendments.
5.1 General Design Obligations
The Contractor shall carry out, and be responsible
for, the design of the Works. Design shall be
prepared by qualified designers who are engineers
or other professionals who comply with the criteria
(if any) stated in the Employer's Requirements.
Unless otherwise stated in the Contract, the
Contractor shall submit to the Engineer for consent
the name and particulars of each proposed
designer and design Subcontractor.
The Contractor warrants that he, his designers and
design Subcontractors have the experience and
capability necessary for the design. The Contractor
undertakes that the designers shall be available to
attend discussions with the Engineer at all
reasonable times, until the expiry date of the
relevant Defects Notification Period.
Upon receiving notice under Sub-Clause 8.1
[ Commencement of Works ], the Contractor shall
The Contractor shall be deemed to have
scrutinised, prior to the Base Date, the Employer's
Requirements (including design criteria and
calculations, if any). The Contractor shall be
responsible for the design of the Works and for the
accuracy of such Employer's Requirements
(including design criteria and calculations), except
as stated below.
The Employer shall not be responsible for any error,
inaccuracy or omission of any kind in the
Employer's Requirements as originally included in
the Contract and shall not be deemed to have given
any representation of accuracy or completeness of
any data or information, except as stated below.
Any data or information received by the Contractor,
from the Employer or otherwise, shall not relieve the
Contractor from his responsibility for the design and
execution of the Works.
P&DB EPCT
Clause 5 P&DB/EPCT: Design
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YB 6.4; OB 4.1 & 5.1
scrutinise the Employer's Requirements (including
design criteria and calculations, if any) and the items
of reference mentioned in Sub-Clause 4.7 [ Setting
Out ]. Within the period stated in the Appendix to
Tender, calculated from the Commencement Date,
the Contractor shall give notice to the Engineer of
any error, fault or other defect found in the
Employer's Requirements or these items of
reference.
determine whether Clause 13 [ Variations and
Adjustments ] shall be applied, and shall give notice
to the Contractor accordingly. If and to the extent
that (taking account of cost and time) an
experienced contractor exercising due care would
have discovered the error, fault or other defect when
examining the Site and the Employer's
Requirements before submitting the Tender, the
Time for Completion shall not be extended and the
Contract Price shall not be adjusted.
However, the Employer shall be responsible for the
correctness of the following portions of the
Employer's Requirements and of the following data
and information provided by (or on behalf of) the
Employer:
(a) portions, data and information which are
stated in the Contract as being immutable or
the responsibility of the Employer,
(b) definitions of intended purposes of the Works
or any parts thereof,
(c) criteria for the testing and performance of the
completed Works, and
(d) portions, data and information which cannot
be verified by the Contractor, except as
otherwise stated in the Contract.
P&DB 5.1 commences by requiring the designers to comply with criteria (if any)
specified in the Employer's Requirements, and requiring the Contractor to seek
the Engineer's consent to each of the designers (which, under Sub-Clause 1.3,
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). These criteria might, for example,
be necessary for structures where the consequences of failure might be
catastrophic. In addition, the Employer might require the Contractor's principal
designers to be fluent in a particular language. Although the Contract does not
establish a contractual relationship between the Employer and an individual
designer, the applicable Laws may impose duties of care. Designers are required
to be available to discuss design aspects with the Engineer, although they are not
required to travel to such meetings at the cost of the Contractor.
EPCT 5.1 contains no such requirements for designers to comply with criteria or
for them to be subject to anyone's consent. It is assumed that the Employer
should not become involved in the choice of designer(s), and that they need not
discuss design aspects.
P&DB 5.1 requires the Contractor, before commencing design, to scrutinise any
design criteria and calculations in the Employer's Requirements. Tenderers may
have started some of these activities during the tender period. The detailed effects
of these provisions could depend on such matters as the nature of the Works, the
detailed criteria, the Laws of the Country, and previous assertions by the Parties.
The Contractor is thus given the opportunity to verify that the Works can be
provided in accordance with the Contract, and give notice to the Engineer. P&DB
13 empowers the Engineer then to resolve any defects in the Employer's
Requirements, although it is obviously preferable for any defects to have been
resolved before the tender documents are issued. P&DB 5.1 concludes by stating
that the Contractor is not entitled to an extension of time or reimbursement of
P&DB EPCT
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provided by the Employer, which the Contract states are immutable (wholly
unchangeable) or the Employer's responsibility; the writers of the
Employer's Requirements should take account of the wording in this sub-
paragraph;
(b) definitions of the intended purposes, to which the second sentence of Sub-
Clause 4.1 refers;
(c) testing and performance criteria which the Employer requires, so as to
define levels of acceptability;
(d) portions of the Employer's Requirements, and data and information
provided by the Employer, "which cannot be verified by the Contractor" (not
the tenderer).
If the Employer retains the services of a consulting engineer, it is to be expected
that the agreement between them would prohibit the consulting engineer
subsequently accepting an appointment with any of the tenderers. Similarly, the
Employer should not require the Contractor to employ the Employer's designer,
whose allegiance would thus be transferred from Employer to Contractor. This
latter arrangement might cause problems:
- for the tenderers, because they would each need a designer, who would be
discouraged by not being able to develop his design for the Contractor, and
- for the transferred designer, because of any discomfort or other problems
developing the design provided by the tenderer's designer; and/or because
of conflict of interest: initially, whilst anticipating his role as Contractor's
designer, and subsequently, because he had been the Employer's designer.
Costs to the extent that an experienced contractor could have discovered the error
and raised the matter by the date when Tenders were to have been submitted.
P&DB 1.9 entitles the Contractor to an extension of time and reimbursement of
Costs to the extent that an experienced contractor could not have discovered an
error or defect during the (typically longer) period when scrutinising the Employer's
Requirements under P&DB 5.1. P&DB 4.7 contains similar entitlements in respect
of errors in the items of reference used for setting out the Works.
EPCT 5.1 commences with the Contractor's assertion that he scrutinised the
Employer's Requirements before the Base Date. The Contractor is required to be
responsible for the accuracy of the Employer's Requirements, except as stated in
the four sub-paragraphs. Subject to the same exception, the second paragraph
of EPCT 5.1 confirms that the Employer is not responsible for their accuracy. At
first, it may appear strange that one of the two Parties to a Contract agrees to be
responsible for a technical document prepared by the other Party for inclusion in
a Contract. However, the intention is to minimise the extent of the Employer's
responsibility, recognising that EPCT will often be used in situations where the
Contractor's technical resources exceed those of the Employer. The Employer's
Requirements may incorporate documents (for example, standard specifications)
which the Employer thinks may be appropriate, but some of these documents
may specify an inappropriate level of quality, which is insufficient to achieve the
mandatory requirements described in the sub-paragraphs of EPCT 5.1.
EPCT 5.1 concludes with the sub-paragraphs describing the extent of the
Employer's responsibility for correctness:
(a) portions of the Employer's Requirements, and data and information
5.2 Contractor’s Documents
P&DB EPCT
The Contractor's Documents shall comprise the
technical documents specified in the Employer's
Requirements, documents required to satisfy all
regulatory approvals, and the documents described
in Sub-Clause 5.6 [ As-Built Documents ] and Sub-
Clause 5.7 [ Operation and Maintenance Manuals ].
Unless otherwise stated in the Employer's
Requirements, the Contractor's Documents shall be
The Contractor's Documents shall comprise the
technical documents specified in the Employer's
Requirements, documents required to satisfy all
regulatory approvals, and the documents described
in Sub-Clause 5.6 [ As-Built Documents ] and Sub-
Clause 5.7 [ Operation and Maintenance Manuals ].
Requirements, the Contractor's Documents shall be
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written in the language for communications defined
in Sub-Clause 1.4 [ Law and Language ].
The Contractor shall prepare all Contractor's
Documents, and shall also prepare any other
documents necessary to instruct the Contractor's
Personnel. The Employer's Personnel shall have the
right to inspect the preparation of all these
documents, wherever they are being prepared.
If the Employer's Requirements describe the
Contractor's Documents which are to be submitted
to the Engineer for review and/or for approval, they
shall be submitted accordingly, together with a
notice as described below. In the following
provisions of this Sub-Clause, (i) "review period"
means the period required by the Engineer for
review and (if so specified) for approval, and (ii)
"Contractor's Documents" exclude any documents
which are not specified as being required to be
submitted for review and/or for approval.
Requirements, each review period shall not exceed
21 days, calculated from the date on which the
Engineer receives a Contractor's Document and the
Contractor's notice. This notice shall state that the
Contractor's Document is considered ready, both
for review (and approval, if so specified) in
accordance with this Sub-Clause and for use. The
notice shall also state that the Contractor's
Document complies with the Contract, or the extent
to which it does not comply.
The Engineer may, within the review period, give
notice to the Contractor that a Contractor's
Document fails (to the extent stated) to comply with
the Contract. If a Contractor's Document so fails to
comply, it shall be rectified, resubmitted and
written in the language for communications defined
in Sub-Clause 1.4 [ Law and Language ].
The Contractor shall prepare all Contractor's
Documents, and shall also prepare any other
documents necessary to instruct the Contractor's
Personnel.
If the Employer's Requirements describe the
Contractor's Documents which are to be submitted
to the Employer for review, they shall be submitted
accordingly, together with a notice as described
below. In the following provisions of this Sub-
Clause, (i) "review period" means the period
required by the Employer for review, and (ii)
"Contractor's Documents" exclude any documents
which are not specified as being required to be
submitted for review.
Requirements, each review period shall not exceed
21 days, calculated from the date on which the
Employer receives a Contractor's Document and
the Contractor's notice. This notice shall state that
the Contractor's Document is considered ready,
both for review in accordance with this Sub-Clause
and for use. The notice shall also state that the
Contractor's Document complies with the Contract,
or the extent to which it does not comply.
The Employer may, within the review period, give
notice to the Contractor that a Contractor's
Document fails (to the extent stated) to comply with
the Contract. If a Contractor's Document so fails to
comply, it shall be rectified, resubmitted and
P&DB EPCT
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reviewed (and, if specified, approved) in accordance
with this Sub-Clause, at the Contractor's cost.
For each part of the Works, and except to the
extent that the prior approval or consent of the
Engineer shall have been obtained:
(a) in the case of a Contractor's Document
which has (as specified) been submitted for
the Engineer's approval:
(i) the Engineer shall give notice to the
Contractor that the Contractor's
Document is approved, with or without
comments, or that it fails (to the extent
stated) to comply with the Contract;
(ii) execution of such part of the Works shall
not commence until the Engineer has
approved the Contractor's Document; and
(iii) the Engineer shall be deemed to have
approved the Contractor's Document
upon the expiry of the review periods for
all the Contractor's Documents which are
relevant to the design and execution of
such part, unless the Engineer has
previously notified otherwise in
accordance with sub-paragraph (i);
(b) execution of such part of the Works shall not
commence prior to the expiry of the review
periods for all the Contractor's Documents
which are relevant to its design and execution;
(c) execution of such part of the Works shall be
in accordance with these reviewed (and, if
specified, approved) Contractor's
Documents; and
(d) if the Contractor wishes to modify any design
or document which has previously been
P&DB EPCT
reviewed in accordance with this Sub-Clause, at the
Contractor's cost.
For each part of the Works, and except to the
extent that the Parties otherwise agree:
(a) execution of such part of the Works shall not
commence prior to the expiry of the review
periods for all the Contractor's Documents
which are relevant to its design and execution;
(b) execution of such part of the Works shall be
in accordance with these Contractor's
Documents, as submitted for review; and
(c) if the Contractor wishes to modify any design
or document which has previously been
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submitted for review (and, if specified,
approval), the Contractor shall immediately
give notice to the Engineer. Thereafter, the
Contractor shall submit revised documents to
the Engineer in accordance with the above
procedure.
If the Engineer instructs that further Contractor's
Documents are required, the Contractor shall
prepare them promptly.
Any such approval or consent, or any review (under
this Sub-Clause or otherwise), shall not relieve the
Contractor from any obligation or responsibility
submitted for review, the Contractor shall
immediately give notice to the Employer.
Thereafter, the Contractor shall submit
revised documents to the Employer in
accordance with the above procedure.
Any such agreement (under the preceding
paragraph) or any review (under this Sub-Clause or
otherwise) shall not relieve the Contractor from any
obligation or responsibility.
P&DB EPCT
This Sub-Clause specifies procedural requirements for "Contractor's Documents",
which include calculations, computer software (programs), drawings, manuals
and models: see Sub-Clause 1.1.6.1. The first paragraph of Sub-Clause 5.2
describes them as comprising:
- documents specified in the Employer's Requirements, which must
therefore specify the documents which the Employer requires the
Contractor to submit;
- documents which are required to satisfy regulatory approvals, irrespective
of whether they are specified in the Employer's Requirements, and
- as-built documents and operation and maintenance manuals under Sub-
Clauses 5.6 and 5.7, which may be elaborated in the Employer's
Requirements.
The General Conditions do not specify which documents are to be supplied, as
"Contractor's Documents"; and do not imply that the Contractor submits all
design documents. On the contrary, Sub-Clauses 1.10 and 5.2 refer to some of
his design documents as not being "Contractor's Documents" because the
Contract does not require him to supply them to the Employer or Engineer. The
Employer's Requirements must therefore specify:
- which documents are to be supplied by the Contractor, namely the
"Contractor's Documents", possibly elaborating on Sub-Clauses 5.6 and
5.7, and
- which (if any) of such Contractor's Documents are to be submitted for
review under Sub-Clause 5.2 (and under P&DB, whether for approval) and
other necessary information: for example, the extent of detail required for
the submissions, and procedures and periods for the reviews.
Different procedures and/or periods may be appropriate for different types of
documents. For example, under P&DB, the Contractor may be required to submit
general arrangement drawings for approval, and drawings of concrete
reinforcement for review, but not to submit the bending schedules detailing this
reinforcement.
For some types of Works, it may be appropriate for the Employer's Requirements
to refer to the various stages of design development and to specify reviews for
YB 6.1 - 6.3 & 7.1; OB 5.2
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Engineer or EPCT's Employer, but not exceeding 21 days. If the reviewer does not
notify that Contractor's Documents fails to comply with the Contract, the
Contractor may commence execution of the relevant works when the specified
review period expires, although the Contractor's Documents are not deemed to
comply with the Contract. Under P&DB, they would be deemed approved under
sub-paragraph (a)(iii) if the Employer's Requirements specified that they had to be
(and they had been) submitted for the Engineer's "approval". If the Employer's
Requirements specified that they had to be (and they had been) submitted for
"consent" but it was not given within 21 days, the situation is the same as would
apply if the Contract had not specified that they had to be submitted for consent.
Compliance with the Contract is not evidenced by the Contractor not being
notified "that a Contractor's Document fails (…) to comply with the Contract".
In respect of Contractor's Documents which are specified as having to be
submitted for review (not for approval under P&DB), the Contractor may thus
proceed after the review period expires unless he receives the notice that a
Contractor's Document fails (to the extent stated) to comply with the Contract. In
other words, the Contract specifies the Contractor's Documents which must be
submitted for review and the duration of each review period, and entitles him to
proceed after such period unless a Contractor's Document fails to comply with
the Contract. He does not, for example, have to await a permission which could
then be wrongfully withheld.
Notification that a Contractor's Document fails ("to the extent stated") to comply
with the Contract entitles the Employer to claim compensation for the costs of the
subsequent review, subject to the procedures specified in Sub-Clause 2.5. If the
Contractor receives such notice, he should rectify the Contractor's Document
(including "the extent stated") and resubmit. If the Contractor considers that the
Contractor's Document does comply with the Contract, he made need to
demonstrate such compliance and request a binding instruction to effect the
amendment sought by (or on behalf of) the Employer. If the Parties did not agree
whether this instruction constitutes a Variation, the dispute may be resolved under
Clause 20. Note that the DAB would decide upon the status of the instruction,
and should not decide the details of the Works.
With a review procedure, it is possible that the Contractor may submit
Contractor's Documents which he suspects may not comply with the Contract.
He might feel that such actions are justified because he wishes to propose a
Variation, without including all the items listed in Sub-Clause 13.3, and without
offering an adjustment to the Contract Price. Such a careless disregard for the
certain types of documents which will be produced in the initial stages. Although
these design development documents may not be required for construction, they
would (if specified as being required for review) become Contractor's Documents
and have to be submitted when considered ready for use, namely for use in the
subsequent stages of design development.
The purposes of the pre-construction review are:
- to permit the Employer's Personnel (including P&DB's Engineer) to verify
that Contractor's Documents comply with the Contract, and
- to give the earliest possible opportunity to consider whether the proposed
works are what the Employer actually requires. If not, it would typically be
necessary to initiate a Variation.
Under P&DB 5.2, the Employer's Requirements may specify that some
Contractor's Documents are to be submitted for approval: for example, general
arrangement drawings, or details required for co-ordination with other
contractors. The need to obtain approvals may be seen as facilitating interference
in the design process. Notwithstanding the last paragraph of P&DB 5.2, it may be
difficult (if a dispute arises) for the Employer to refute all liability for an approved
submission. Even a "deemed approval" under Sub-Clause 5.2(a)(iii) could give rise
to such problems. There would seem to be no point in requiring documents to be
submitted for approval if the recipient does not intend to give approval. The
procedure for review (excluding approval) is specified in P&DB 5.2 in such a way
as not to impose on the Engineer any duty to consent to execution proceeding,
although it does not prevent him doing so if it is appropriate. Before the expiry of
the review period for Contractor's Documents which are relevant to the design
and execution of a part of the Works, the Engineer should either give prior written
consent to proceed, or notify the Contractor that the review period is shorter or
has expired, or notify the Contractor of any non-compliance with the Contract.
Under EPCT 5.2, the procedure for review (which excludes approval) is similarly
specified in Sub-Clause 5.2 in such a way as not to impose on the Employer any
duty to agree to execution proceeding, although it does not prevent him doing so
if it is appropriate. Before the expiry of the review period for Contractor's
Documents which are relevant to the design and execution of a part of the Works,
the Employer should either agree that the Contractor should proceed, or notify the
Contractor that the review period is shorter or has expired, or notify the Contractor
of any non-compliance with the Contract.
The review period is defined as the period required by the reviewer, P&DB's
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Contract is fraught with risks because, irrespective of whether the Contractor is
notified of the non-compliance, the Works must comply with the Contract. If the
Contractor wishes to propose a Variation, or suspects that his design intentions
do not comply with the Contract, he should submit a proposal in accordance with
(and mentioning) Sub-Clause 13.2.
The final sub-paragraph of Sub-Clause 5.2 requires the Contractor to give notice
if a Contractor's Document, which was previously subject to a review, is to be
amended. This notice should be accompanied by an explanation of the need for
amendment. Prompt correction of errors should be encouraged.
The penultimate paragraph of P&DB 5.2 empowers the Engineer to instruct
further Contractor's Documents. If he requires further Contractor's Documents,
and they are not within the scope of Contractor's Documents which the
Contractor is required to submit to the Engineer under the Contract, the
instruction would usually constitute a Variation.
Under EPCT, such instructions (that further Contractor's Documents are required)
must comply with Sub-Clause 3.4.
Under Sub-Clause 1.3, approvals and consents shall be given in writing and shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
The Contractor undertakes that the design, the
Contractor's Documents, the execution and the
completed Works will be in accordance with:
(a) the Laws in the Country, and
(b) the documents forming the Contract, as
altered or modified by Variations.
The Contractor undertakes that the design, the
Contractor's Documents, the execution and the
completed Works will be in accordance with:
(a) the Laws in the Country, and
(b) the documents forming the Contract, as
altered or modified by Variations.
5.3 Contractor’s Undertaking
P&DB EPCT
OB 5.3
This Sub-Clause defines the fundamental criteria with which the Works must
comply: Laws, Variations, and the Contract documents in the order of
precedence specified in Sub-Clause 1.5. If certain Laws specifically relate to
the Works, the Employer might wish to consider drawing them to the
attention of tenderers, and/or dealing with their effects in the Contract. For
example, major works may require legislation before construction can begin,
and/or may require various agreements to be entered into with other affected
parties.
It is not envisaged that the Employer needs to list out all relevant legislation for the
convenience of tenderers or of the Contractor. If the Employer only lists some of
the relevant legislation, the limited extent of the list should be stated, for
avoidance of doubt.
A Variation changes the "Works", but does not amend the "Contract".
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The design, the Contractor's Documents, the
execution and the completed Works shall comply
with the Country's technical standards, building,
construction and environmental Laws, Laws
applicable to the product being produced from the
Works, and other standards specified in the
Employer's Requirements, applicable to the Works,
or defined by the applicable Laws.
All these Laws shall, in respect of the Works and
each Section, be those prevailing when the Works
or Section are taken over by the Employer under
Clause 10 [ Employer's Taking Over ]. References in
the Contract to published standards shall be
understood to be references to the edition
applicable on the Base Date, unless stated
otherwise.
If changed or new applicable standards come into
force in the Country after the Base Date, the
Contractor shall give notice to the Engineer and (if
appropriate) submit proposals for compliance. In the
event that:
(a) the Engineer determines that compliance is
required, and
(b) the proposals for compliance constitute a
variation,
then the Engineer shall initiate a Variation in
accordance with Clause 13 [ Variations and
Adjustments ].
The design, the Contractor's Documents, the
execution and the completed Works shall comply
with the Country's technical standards, building,
construction and environmental Laws, Laws
applicable to the product being produced from the
Works, and other standards specified in the
Employer's Requirements, applicable to the Works,
or defined by the applicable Laws.
All these Laws shall, in respect of the Works and
each Section, be those prevailing when the Works
or Section are taken over by the Employer under
Clause 10 [ Employer's Taking Over ]. References in
the Contract to published standards shall be
understood to be references to the edition
applicable on the Base Date, unless stated
otherwise.
If changed or new applicable standards come into
force in the Country after the Base Date, the
Contractor shall give notice to the Employer and (if
appropriate) submit proposals for compliance. In the
event that:
(a) the Employer determines that compliance is
required, and
(b) the proposals for compliance constitute a
variation,
then the Employer shall initiate a Variation in
accordance with Clause 13 [ Variations and
Adjustments ].
P&DB EPCT
5.4 Technical Standards and Regulations
OB 5.4
Sub-Clause 1.13 requires the Contractor to comply with all relevant regulations,
including paying fees and giving notices under these regulations.
In Sub-Clause 5.4, the first sentence specifies various criteria for the design,
Contractor's Documents and Works. If any of these conflict, it will be necessary
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to ascertain their order of precedence. Although the Laws take priority over other
requirements, under Sub-Clause 5.3, some of the criteria included in the first
sentence of Sub-Clause 5.4 may also be legal requirements. The order of
precedence of contract documents is specified in Sub-Clause 1.5.
In some countries, certain types of work may have to receive statutory approval
and/or certification. Sub-Clause 5.4 imposes on the Contractor the responsibility
to comply with these statutory requirements. However, the Employer's
Requirements should take account of statutory requirements which are applicable
to the operation of the Works.
If substantially changed or new criteria are promulgated, they may be legal
requirements (see Sub-Clause 13.7), or they may be optional. The Contractor
is required to prepare and submit proposals for compliance, but the
proposals need not include all the items listed in Sub-Clause 13.3. On the
contrary, the final sentence of Sub-Clause 5.4 clarifies that a determination
under sub-paragraph (a) precedes a Variation being initiated "either by an
instruction or by a request for the Contractor to submit a proposal" (Sub-
Clause 13.1).
Under P&DB 3.1, EPCT 3.3 and Sub-Clause 5.8, approvals, consents, and the
like shall not relieve the Contractor from any responsibility.
Under Sub-Clause 13.1, the Employer's Requirements may be varied. It is
advisable to seek prior agreement of the consequences of each Variation,
especially if it affects the scope or purpose of the Works.
The Contractor shall carry out the training of
Employer's Personnel in the operation and
maintenance of the Works to the extent specified in
the Employer's Requirements. If the Contract
specifies training which is to be carried out before
taking-over, the Works shall not be considered to be
completed for the purposes of taking-over under
Sub-Clause 10.1 [ Taking Over of the Works and
Sections ] until this training has been completed.
The Contractor shall carry out the training of
Employer's Personnel in the operation and
maintenance of the Works to the extent specified in
the Employer's Requirements. If the Contract
specifies training which is to be carried out before
taking-over, the Works shall not be considered to be
completed for the purposes of taking-over under
Sub-Clause 10.1 [ Taking Over of the Works and
Sections ] until this training has been completed.
P&DB EPCT
5.5 Training
The Contractor is required to carry out training, but only to the extent (if any)
specified in the Employer's Requirements. There is thus no obligation to provide
training unless it is specified in the Employer's Requirements.
The main reason for including this Sub-Clause in the General Conditions
arises from its second sentence. The Employer's Requirements may specify
the extent of training to be carried out before a Section or the whole of the
Works is taken over by the Employer. In that case, Sub-Clause 10.1 cannot
be applied until such training has been completed. Under P&DB 10.2, a
Taking-Over Certificate may be issued for a part of the Works, at the sole
discretion of the Employer, and the part could be stated to exclude
incomplete training.
The training must be executed in a competent manner, as further described in
Sub-Clause 7.1. However, the Contractor's obligation under the second
sentence of Sub-Clause 4.1, to provide Works which are fit for purpose when
completed, does not itself imply an obligation to provide training under Sub-
Clause 5.5 to achieve the level of competence necessary to operate the Works.
Clearly, the Contractor cannot be responsible for the suitability of those
Employer's Personnel who are selected, by (or on behalf of) the Employer, to be
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- when making these arrangements, the Employer may assume that training
will be carried out at the Works.
If there is a delay in the provision of prospective trainees, the immediate
consequence is delay, impediment or prevention which is attributable to the
Employer or Employer's Personnel, in terms of Sub-Clause 8.4. However, if some
trainees are provided, the Contractor is entitled to proceed (so that he can comply
with Sub-Clauses 5.5, 8.2 and 10.1), unless he receives instructions under Sub-
Clause 8.8 to suspend training.
trainees. If the training is required to achieve a specified level of competence, then
it and the qualities and abilities of these Employer's Personnel should be clearly
defined in the Employer's Requirements.
The Employer's Personnel selected as trainees should be made available by the
Employer when indicated in the programme submitted under Sub-Clause 8.3, free
of charge. Therefore, unless otherwise stated in the Contract:
- the Contractor is not required to pay trainees or to provide transport or
sleeping accommodation; and
The Contractor shall prepare, and keep up-to-date,
a complete set of "as-built" records of the execution
of the Works, showing the exact as-built locations,
sizes and details of the work as executed. These
records shall be kept on the Site and shall be used
exclusively for the purposes of this Sub-Clause. Two
copies shall be supplied to the Engineer prior to the
commencement of the Tests on Completion.
In addition, the Contractor shall supply to the
Engineer as-built drawings of the Works, showing all
Works as executed, and submit them to the
Engineer for review under Sub-Clause 5.2
[ Contractor's Documents ]. The Contractor shall
obtain the consent of the Engineer as to their size,
the referencing system, and other relevant details.
Prior to the issue of any Taking-Over Certificate, the
Contractor shall supply to the Engineer the specified
numbers and types of copies of the relevant as-built
drawings, in accordance with the Employer's
Requirements. The Works shall not be considered
to be completed for the purposes of taking-over
under Sub-Clause 10.1 [ Taking Over of the Works
and Sections ] until the Engineer has received these
documents.
The Contractor shall prepare, and keep up-to-date,
a complete set of "as-built" records of the execution
of the Works, showing the exact as-built locations,
sizes and details of the work as executed. These
records shall be kept on the Site and shall be used
exclusively for the purposes of this Sub-Clause. Two
copies shall be supplied to the Employer prior to the
commencement of the Tests on Completion.
In addition, the Contractor shall supply to the
Employer as-built drawings of the Works, showing
all Works as executed, and submit them to the
Employer for review under Sub-Clause 5.2
[ Contractor's Documents ]. The Contractor shall
obtain the consent of the Employer as to their size,
the referencing system, and other relevant details.
Prior to the issue of any Taking-Over Certificate, the
Contractor shall supply to the Employer the
specified numbers and types of copies of the
relevant as-built drawings, in accordance with the
Employer's Requirements. The Works shall not be
considered to be completed for the purposes of
taking-over under Sub-Clause 10.1 [ Taking Over of
the Works and Sections ] until the Employer has
received these documents.
P&DB EPCT
5.6 As-Built Documents
OB 5.6
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The Contractor is required to prepare various documents under this Sub-Clause.
Other details may need to be specified in the Employer's Requirements.
As-built documents are "Contractor's Documents" which the Employer uses subject
to Sub-Clause 1.10. Under the second paragraph of P&DB 5.2, appropriate
Employer's Personnel may inspect the preparation of these Documents.
Firstly, "as-built" records have to be kept up-to-date, throughout the execution of
the Works, and two copies supplied before the Tests on Completion. The
Employer's Requirements may specify a larger number of copies, and their format
and the extent of technical detail may be described in such Requirements or in
any document prepared or completed by the tenderer. However, these factual
records do not have to be submitted for review under Sub-Clause 5.2, unless the
Employer's Requirements specify otherwise.
Secondly, the Contractor is required to provide as-built drawings showing the
Works as executed, and submit them for review under Sub-Clause 5.2. The
purpose of this review is to permit the Employer's Personnel to verify compliance
with the Contract, particularly in respect of the size, referencing system and scope
of the drawings. Although the final paragraph of Sub-Clause 5.2 states that the
outcome of its review procedure shall not relieve the Contractor from
responsibility, the reviewer should avoid taking any action which could be
construed as detailing an amendment which might then be regarded as
something required by (and the responsibility of) the Employer.
Under the final paragraph of the Sub-Clause, if the Employer's Requirements
specify the numbers and types of as-built drawings required, the Contractor
must complete them before the Works are taken over by the Employer. In that
case, Sub-Clause 10.1 cannot be applied until the drawings have been supplied,
"except for any minor outstanding work and defects which will not substantially
affect the use of the Works or Section for their intended purpose". This exception
arises under Sub-Clause 10.1(a), the Contractor then being required to complete
the minor outstanding work and remedy the defects, under Sub-Clauses 5.8
and 11.1.
Sub-Clauses 2.1 and 10.2 constrain the Employer from premature use of the Works,
with EPCT 10.2 making such use of a part of the Works a breach of the Contract
unless it states otherwise. Under P&DB 10.2, a Taking-Over Certificate may be issued
for a part of the Works, at the sole discretion of the Employer, and the part could be
stated to exclude any as-built drawings which the Engineer has not received.
Prior to commencement of the Tests on
Completion, the Contractor shall supply to the
Engineer provisional operation and maintenance
manuals in sufficient detail for the Employer to
operate, maintain, dismantle, reassemble, adjust
and repair the Plant.
The Works shall not be considered to be completed
for the purposes of taking-over under Sub-Clause
10.1 [ Taking Over of the Works and Sections ] until
the Engineer has received final operation and
maintenance manuals in such detail, and any other
manuals specified in the Employer's Requirements
for these purposes.
Prior to commencement of the Tests on
Completion, the Contractor shall supply to the
Employer provisional operation and maintenance
manuals in sufficient detail for the Employer to
operate, maintain, dismantle, reassemble, adjust
and repair the Plant.
The Works shall not be considered to be completed
for the purposes of taking-over under Sub-Clause
10.1 [ Taking Over of the Works and Sections ] until
the Employer has received final operation and
maintenance manuals in such detail, and any other
manuals specified in the Employer's Requirements
for these purposes.
P&DB EPCT
5.7 Operation and Maintenance Manuals
YB 6.6; OB 5.7
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taken over by the Employer. Sub-Clause 10.1 cannot be applied until these final
manuals have been supplied, "except for any minor outstanding work and defects
which will not substantially affect the use of the Works or Section for their intended
purpose". This exception arises under Sub-Clause 10.1(a), the Contractor then
being required to complete the minor outstanding work and remedy defects,
under Sub-Clauses 5.8 and 11.1.
Sub-Clauses 2.1 and 10.2 constrain the Employer from premature use of the Works,
with EPCT 10.2 making such use of a part of the Works a breach of the Contract
unless it states otherwise. Under P&DB 10.2, a Taking-Over Certificate may be
issued for a part of the Works, at the sole discretion of the Employer, and the part
could be stated to exclude any manuals which the Engineer has not received.
The Contractor is required to prepare operation and maintenance manuals in two
stages under this Sub-Clause. It may need to be elaborated in the Employer's
Requirements. Manuals are "Contractor's Documents" which the Employer uses
subject to Sub-Clause 1.10. Under the second paragraph of P&DB 5.2, appropriate
Employer's Personnel may inspect the preparation of these Documents.
Firstly, provisional manuals have to be supplied before the Tests on Completion.
The scope of these manuals should be the same as will be required for the final
manuals. The reference to "provisional" is intended to indicate that (in practice) it
is usually necessary for the final manuals to take account of the outcome of the
Tests on Completion.
Secondly, the Contractor is required to provide final manuals before the Works are
If errors, omissions, ambiguities, inconsistencies,
inadequacies or other defects are found in the
Contractor's Documents, they and the Works shall be
corrected at the Contractor's cost, notwithstanding
any consent or approval under this Clause.
If errors, omissions, ambiguities, inconsistencies,
inadequacies or other defects are found in the
Contractor's Documents, they and the Works shall be
corrected at the Contractor's cost, notwithstanding
any consent or approval under this Clause.
5.8 Design Error
P&DB EPCT
YB 7.1; OB 5.8
The first paragraph of Sub-Clause 5.2 describes Contractor's Documents as
comprising:
- documents specified in the Employer's Requirements, which must
therefore so specify;
- documents which are required to satisfy regulatory approvals, irrespective
of whether they are specified in the Employer's Requirements, and
- as-built documents and operation and maintenance manuals under Sub-
Clauses 5.6 and 5.7, which may be elaborated in the Employer's Requirements
Errors in the Employer's Documents are covered in Sub-Clause 5.1 and P&DB
1.9.
Under the last paragraph of Sub-Clause 1.8, each Party is required to notify the
other Party of errors of a technical nature. The law may also impose this duty.
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obligations must be specified precisely. The consequences of shortcomings may
need to be considered carefully before specifying these obligations.
Except as otherwise stated in the Specification, the
Contractor shall make arrangements for the
engagement of all staff and labour, local or
otherwise, and for their payment, housing, feeding
and transport.
Except as otherwise stated in the Employer's
Requirements, the Contractor shall make
arrangements for the engagement of all staff and
labour, local or otherwise, and for their payment,
housing, feeding and transport.
Requirements, the Contractor shall make
arrangements for the engagement of all staff and
labour, local or otherwise, and for their payment,
housing, feeding and transport.
This Sub-Clause removes any implication of obligation on the part of the Employer
to provide personnel, except to the extent (if any) that the Employer has
undertaken to do so. If the Employer is to make any personnel available, his
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 34; YB 18.1; OB 6.1
6.1 Engagement of Staff and Labour
The Contractor shall pay rates of wages, and
observe conditions of labour, which are not lower
than those established for the trade or industry
where the work is carried out. If no established
rates or conditions are applicable, the Contractor
shall pay rates of wages and observe conditions
which are not lower than the general level of wages
and conditions observed locally by employers
whose trade or industry is similar to that of the
Contractor.
Contractor
Contractor
CONS P&DB EPCT
6.2 Rates of Wages and Conditions of Labour
It is considered reasonable to require the Contractor to be a good employer of his
labour force. If the Contractor does not comply with the Sub-Clause, the
Employer might have difficulty proving the extent of any loss suffered as a result,
OB 6.2
but he would be able to resist claims from the Contractor in respect of events
caused by the non-compliance.
Clause 6 Staff and Labour
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The Contractor shall not recruit, or attempt to
recruit, staff and labour from amongst the
Employer's Personnel.
It is also reasonable not to allow the Contractor to undermine the Employer's
activities, either on the project or elsewhere, by encouraging Employer's
Personnel to transfer their employment to the Contractor.
Each Party should seek the other Party's prior agreement to the recruitment of its
personnel.
OB 6.3
6.3 Persons in Service of Employer
CONS P&DB EPCT
CONS P&DB EPCT
6.4 Labour Laws
The Contractor shall comply with all the relevant
labour Laws applicable to the Contractor's
Personnel, including Laws relating to their
employment, health, safety, welfare, immigration
and emigration, and shall allow them all their legal
rights.
The Contractor shall require his employees to obey
all applicable Laws, including those concerning
safety at work.
rights.
safety at work.
rights.
safety at work.
Under Sub-Clauses 1.13 and 6.4, the Contractor must comply with the Laws of
the Country. If the Contractor does not comply with Sub-Clause 6.4, the Employer
might have difficulty proving the extent of any loss suffered as a result, but he
OB 6.4
would be able to resist claims from the Contractor in respect of events caused by
the non-compliance.
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Under EPCT, the phrase "normal working hours" is not defined. If the Employer
wishes to specify working hours, he should state them in the Employer's
Requirements or the Particular Conditions. However, the Contractor usually
decides the timing of the "normal working hours" under an EPCT Contract. Unless
he states them in his Tender, the phrase "normal working hours" may be regarded
as being whatever working hours the Contractor establishes as normal.
The three sub-paragraphs then list the exceptions to the first two lines of the Sub-
Clause, namely another provision in the Contract, prior consent, or urgency.
Under Sub-Clause 1.3, consent shall be given in writing and shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed.
When the tender documents are being prepared, consideration may be given as
to whether this Sub-Clause is required (if not, it may be deleted) and, if so, for
what reason. The Employer may wish to specify the working hours, especially for
work on an existing operational facility. Alternatively, the Employer's Personnel
may simply wish to know the Contractor's working hours well in advance, so as
to plan and manage their activities.
Under CONS or P&DB, if the Employer wishes to specify working hours, he
should state them in the Appendix to Tender. If the Employer's Personnel wish to
know the Contractor's intentions, the item in the Appendix to Tender may be left
blank in the tender documents, to be completed by each tenderer.
RB 45; YB 18.3 & 18.4; OB 6.5
Except as otherwise stated in the Specification, the
Contractor shall provide and maintain all necessary
accommodation and welfare facilities for the
Contractor’s Personnel. The Contractor shall also
Requirements, the Contractor shall provide and
maintain all necessary accommodation and welfare
facilities for the Contractor's Personnel. The
Requirements, the Contractor shall provide and
maintain all necessary accommodation and welfare
facilities for the Contractor's Personnel. The
CONS P&DB EPCT
6.6 Facilities for Staff and Labour
No work shall be carried out on the Site on locally
recognised days of rest, or outside the normal
working hours stated in the Appendix to Tender,
unless:
(a) otherwise stated in the Contract,
(b) the Engineer gives consent, or
(c) the work is unavoidable, or necessary for the
protection of life or property or for the safety
of the Works, in which case the Contractor
shall immediately advise the Engineer.
CONS P&DB EPCT
6.5 Working Hours
recognised days of rest, or outside the normal
working hours stated in the Appendix to Tender,
unless:
(b) the Engineer gives consent, or
shall immediately advise the Engineer.
recognised days of rest, or outside normal working
hours, unless:
(b) the Employer gives consent, or
shall immediately advise the Employer.
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provide facilities for the Employer’s Personnel as
stated in the Specification.
The Contractor shall not permit any of the
Contractor’s Personnel to maintain any temporary or
permanent living quarters within the structures
forming part of the Permanent Works.
Contractor shall also provide facilities for the
Employer's Personnel as stated in the Employer's
Requirements.
Contractor's Personnel to maintain any temporary
or permanent living quarters within the structures
Contractor shall also provide facilities for the
Employer's Personnel as stated in the Employer's
Requirements.
Contractor's Personnel to maintain any temporary
or permanent living quarters within the structures
This Sub-Clause removes any implication of obligation on the part of the Employer
to arrange facilities for the Contractor's personnel, except to the extent (if any) that
the Employer has undertaken to do so. If the Employer is to make any of these
arrangements, his obligations must be specified precisely. The consequences of
shortcomings may need to be considered carefully before specifying these
obligations.
CONS P&DB EPCT
OB 6.6
It may be difficult to establish what accommodation and facilities are "necessary"
under this Sub-Clause, until the effects of their inadequacy have become
apparent. In that event, the Employer cannot be held responsible for these effects,
and he would be able to resist claims from the Contractor associated with these
effects.
The Contractor shall at all times take all reasonable
precautions to maintain the health and safety of the
Contractor's Personnel. In collaboration with local
health authorities, the Contractor shall ensure that
medical staff, first aid facilities, sick bay and
ambulance service are available at all times at the
Site and at any accommodation for Contractor's
and Employer's Personnel, and that suitable
arrangements are made for all necessary welfare
and hygiene requirements and for the prevention of
epidemics.
The Contractor shall appoint an accident prevention
officer at the Site, responsible for maintaining safety
and protection against accidents. This person shall
be qualified for this responsibility, and shall have the
epidemics.
epidemics.
CONS P&DB EPCT
6.7 Health and Safety
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local facilities seem likely to be insufficient for the numbers of personnel on Site,
the Contractor must overcome the shortfall. In certain circumstances, it may even
be necessary for him to provide a fully-equipped hospital.
authority to issue instructions and take protective
measures to prevent accidents. Throughout the
execution of the Works, the Contractor shall provide
whatever is required by this person to exercise this
responsibility and authority.
The Contractor shall send, to the Engineer, details
of any accident as soon as practicable after its
occurrence. The Contractor shall maintain records
and make reports concerning health, safety and
welfare of persons, and damage to property, as the
Engineer may reasonably require.
The Contractor shall send, to the Engineer, details
Engineer may reasonably require.
The Contractor shall send, to the Employer, details
Employer may reasonably require.
This Sub-Clause sets out the Contractor's overall responsibility for health and
safety. Liaison with local health authorities may result in their facilities being used
as ambulance service, for example.
The importance of planning for possible accidents must not be overlooked. If the
CONS P&DB EPCT
OB 6.7
CONS P&DB EPCT
6.8 Contractor’s Superintendence
Throughout the design and execution of the Works,
and as long thereafter as is necessary to fulfil the
Contractor's obligations, the Contractor shall
provide all necessary superintendence to plan,
arrange, direct, manage, inspect and test the work.
Superintendence shall be given by a sufficient
number of persons having adequate knowledge of
the language for communications (defined in Sub-
Clause 1.4 [ Law and Language ]) and of the
operations to be carried out (including the methods
and techniques required, the hazards likely to be
encountered and methods of preventing
Throughout the design and execution of the Works,
and as long thereafter as is necessary to fulfil the
Throughout the execution of the Works, and as
long thereafter as is necessary to fulfil the
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RB 15 & 16.1(a); OB 6.8
CONS P&DB EPCT
accidents), for the satisfactory and safe execution
of the Work
of the Work
of the Work
It may be difficult to establish what is "necessary" and how many are "sufficient"
under this Sub-Clause, until the effects of any inadequacies have become
apparent. In that event, the Employer cannot be held responsible for these effects,
and he would be able to resist claims from the Contractor associated with these
effects. Failure to comply might be evident by constructional problems, which
might be serious enough to necessitate an instruction to suspend the Works
under Sub-Clause 8.8.
CONS P&DB EPCT
The Contractor’s Personnel shall be appropriately
qualified, skilled and experienced in their respective
trades or occupations. The Engineer may require
the Contractor to remove (or cause to be removed)
any person employed on the Site or Works,
including the Contractor’s Representative if
applicable, who:
(a) persists in any misconduct or lack of care,
(b) carries out duties incompetently or
negligently,
(c) fails to conform with any provisions of the
Contract, or
(d) persists in any conduct which is prejudicial to
safety, health, or the protection of the
environment.
If appropriate, the Contractor shall then appoint (or
cause to be appointed) a suitable replacement
person.
trades or occupations. The Engineer may require
applicable, who:
negligently,
Contract, or
environment.
person.
trades or occupations. The Employer may require
applicable, who:
negligently,
Contract, or
environment.
person.
6.9 Contractors Personnel
RB 16; YB 13.2; OB 6.9
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the Contractor should comply with the instruction (see CONS/P&DB 3.3) unless
under EPCT the instruction does not comply with EPCT 3.4. Thereafter, if the
Contractor demonstrates that the opinion (of CONS' or P&DB's Engineer or
EPCT's Employer) was unreasonable and unfounded, the Contractor may be
entitled to compensation under applicable law.
It may not be necessary to require removal of personnel under this Sub-Clause,
because the Contractor may wish to take his own action, without instruction.
Typically, the Contractor may readily be persuaded to remove the person, and
such removal by agreement is preferable to enforcement under this Sub-Clause.
However, if the Contractor is required to remove any person employed on the Site,
CONS P&DB EPCT
6.10 Records of Contractor’s Personnel and Equipment
The Contractor shall submit, to the Engineer, details
showing the number of each class of Contractor’s
Personnel and of each type of Contractor’s
Equipment on the Site. Details shall be submitted
each calendar month, in a form approved by the
Engineer, until the Contractor has completed all
work which is known to be outstanding at the
completion date stated in the Taking-Over
Certificate for the Works.
The Contractor shall submit, to the Engineer, details
Engineer, until the Contractor has completed all
The Contractor shall submit, to the Employer, details
Employer, until the Contractor has completed all
RB 35; YB 18.2; OB 4.15 (d)
4.21. The period for payment under paragraph (b) of Sub-Clause 14.7 does not
commence until the relevant report has been submitted under Sub-Clause 4.21,
including the data described in Sub-Clause 6.10.
Sub-Clause 6.10 may become an "other Sub-Clause which may apply to a claim",
mentioned in the last paragraph of Sub-Clause 20.1, unless the claim is one to
which these records of Contractor's Personnel and Equipment do not apply.
In order to facilitate the evaluation of claims and Variations, it is necessary to
establish basic record-keeping from the commencement of a contract.
The data required to be submitted under Sub-Clause 6.10 must be included in
each of the Contractor's reports, in accordance with Sub-Clause 4.21(d). Under
Sub-Clause 14.3, the Contractor's Statement has to be submitted together with
supporting documents which include the report in accordance with Sub-Clause
precautions to prevent any unlawful, riotous or
6.11 Disorderly Conduct
CONS P&DB EPCT
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disorderly conduct by or amongst the Contractor’s
Personnel, and to preserve peace and protection of
persons and property on and near the Site.
CONS P&DB EPCT
It may be difficult to establish what are "reasonable precautions" under this Sub-
Clause, until the effects of any inadequacies have become apparent. In that event,
the Employer cannot be held responsible for these effects, it might be necessary
OB 6.10
for the civil police to be involved, and the Employer would be able to resist claims
from the Contractor associated with these effects.
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RB 36.1; YB 19.1; OB 7.1
The Contractor shall carry out the manufacture of
Plant, the production and manufacture of Materials,
and all other execution of the Works:
(a) in the manner (if any) specified in the
Contract,
(b) in a proper workmanlike and careful manner,
in accordance with recognised good practice,
and
(c) with properly equipped facilities and non-
hazardous Materials, except as otherwise
specified in the Contract
Contract,
and
Contract,
and
7.1 Manner of Execution
CONS P&DB EPCT
- Materials must not be hazardous thereafter, during their working life or
during any subsequent procedures for their demolition and disposal.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Engineer is not empowered to relax this provision of
the Contract. If he consents to the use of Materials which are subsequently found
to be hazardous, the Contractor will be in breach of this Sub-Clause and will have
to replace the Materials, because he retains responsibility in accordance with Sub-
Clause 3.1(c).
If the Contractor wishes to use Materials which do not comply with Sub-Clause
7.1, he may propose their use under the procedures specified in Sub-Clause 13.2,
drawing attention to the hazards. If a tenderer wishes (if he becomes the
Contractor) to use Materials which do not comply with Sub-Clause 7.1, he should
so state and ensure that his proposal is incorporated into the Contract, relying
upon Sub-Clause 7.1(a).
This Sub-Clause specifies general requirements in respect of the manner in which
the Works are to be executed. More detailed requirements will be derived from
other provisions in the Contract, to which sub-paragraph (a) refers.
The reference in sub-paragraph (c) to "non-hazardous Materials" prohibits the use
of materials which may be hazardous except to the extent that the use of
particular Materials is specified in the Contract. In this context, there are three
different hazardous situations:
- Many manufacturing processes are hazardous, but do not result in
hazardous "Materials", which are defined as the things supplied by the
Contractor. Sub-Clause 7.1 requires the Contractor to supply Materials
which have been manufactured in accordance with its sub-paragraphs, but
does not require the manufacturing processes to be non-hazardous. Off-
Site manufacture creates, but does not use, the "Materials" as defined in
Sub-Clause 1.1.5.3.
- Materials must not require the use of hazardous Site procedures for them
to "form … part of the Permanent Works" (Sub-Clause 1.1.5.3) on the Site.
Clause 7 Plant, Materials and Workmanship
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The Contractor shall submit the following samples
of Materials, and relevant information, to the
Engineer for consent prior to using the Materials in
or for the Works:
(a) manufacturer’s standard samples of Materials
and samples specified in the Contract, all at
the Contractor’s cost, and
(b) additional samples instructed by the Engineer
as a Variation.
Each sample shall be labelled as to origin and
intended use in the Works.
The Contractor shall submit the following samples
of Materials, and relevant information, to the
Engineer for review in accordance with the
procedures for Contractor's Documents described
in Sub-Clause 5.2 [ Contractor's Documents ]:
(a) manufacturer's standard samples of Materials
and samples specified in the Contract, all at
the Contractor's cost, and
(b) additional samples instructed by the Engineer
as a Variation.
Each sample shall be labelled as to origin and
The Contractor shall submit samples to the
Employer, for review in accordance with the
procedures for Contractor's Documents described
in Sub-Clause 5.2 [ Contractor's Documents ], as
specified in the Contract and at the Contractor's
cost. Each sample shall be labelled as to origin and
The Contractor is required to submit samples as specified in the Contract and,
except under EPCT, manufacturer's standard samples.
Under CONS or P&DB, the samples are to be accompanied by "relevant
information". It would depend on the type of Materials involved, but typically
could include details relevant to the use (application) of the Materials and to
their maintenance requirements. Under CONS 7.2, the Engineer's prior
consent is required before the Materials are used, and Sub-Clause 1.3
requires the consent to be given in writing and not unreasonably withheld or
delayed.
Under P&DB or EPCT, the samples are to be submitted for review in accordance
with the procedure specified in Sub-Clause 5.2. Unless (under its fifth paragraph)
the Contractor received notice that the sample "fails (to the extent stated) to
comply with the Contract", he is entitled to proceed as soon as the "review period"
has expired.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 36.1 & 36.2; YB 6.1; OB 5.5
7.2 Samples
The Employer’s Personnel shall at all reasonable
times:
(a) have full access to all parts of the Site and to
all places from which natural Materials are
being obtained, and
The Employer’s Personnel shall at all reasonable
times:
being obtained, and
The Employer's Personnel shall at all reasonable
times:
being obtained, and
CONS P&DB EPCT
7.3 Inspection
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(b) during production, manufacture and
construction (at the Site and elsewhere), be
entitled to examine, inspect, measure and
test the materials and workmanship, and to
check the progress of manufacture of Plant
and production and manufacture of Materials.
The Contractor shall give the Employer’s Personnel
full opportunity to carry out these activities, including
providing access, facilities, permissions and safety
equipment. No such activity shall relieve the
Contractor from any obligation or responsibility.
whenever any work is ready and before it is covered
up, put out of sight, or packaged for storage or
transport. The Engineer shall then either carry out
the examination, inspection, measurement or testing
without unreasonable delay, or promptly give notice
to the Contractor that the Engineer does not require
to do so. If the Contractor fails to give the notice, he
shall, if and when required by the Engineer, uncover
the work and thereafter reinstate and make good, all
at the Contractor’s cost.
construction (at the Site and elsewhere), be
and production and manufacture of Materials
The Contractor shall give the Employer’s Personnel
whenever any work is ready and before it is covered
up, put out of sight, or packaged for storage or
transport. The Engineer shall then either carry out
the examination, inspection, measurement or testing
without unreasonable delay, or promptly give notice
to the Contractor that the Engineer does not require
to do so. If the Contractor fails to give the notice, he
shall, if and when required by the Engineer, uncover
the work and thereafter reinstate and make good, all
at the Contractor’s cost.
construction (at the Site and, to the extent
specified in the Contract, elsewhere), be
and production and manufacture of Materials.
The Contractor shall give the Employer's Personnel
In respect of the work which Employer's Personnel
are entitled to examine, inspect, measure and/or
test, the Contractor shall give notice to the
Employer whenever any such work is ready and
before it is covered up, put out of sight, or
packaged for storage or transport. The Employer
shall then either carry out the examination,
inspection, measurement or testing without
unreasonable delay, or promptly give notice to the
Contractor that the Employer does not require to do
so. If the Contractor fails to give the notice, he shall,
if and when required by the Employer, uncover the
work and thereafter reinstate and make good, all at
the Contractor's cost.
CONS P&DB EPCT
- Sub-Clause 7.4 relates to the specified testing by the Contractor, namely
the tests to be carried during the execution of the work and the tests to be
carried out upon completion (before the Employer's taking over);
- Sub-Clause 9.1 relates to the specified testing by the Contractor upon
completion, before the taking over;
- P&DB 12 and EPCT 12 relate to the specified testing, if any, to be carried
out after the taking over (typically, one or two months after taking over).
The Employer's Personnel are to be given all reasonable access to inspect and
test materials and workmanship. Note that the tests which Sub-Clause 7.3 entitles
them to carry out are not limited to any which are described in the Contract. The
tests referred to in Sub-Clause 7.3 are thus in a different category to those
covered elsewhere:
- Sub-Clause 7.3 relates to the testing by the Employer's Personnel during
the execution of the work;
RB 37.1, 37.2 & 38; YB 14.7, 19.2, 19.3 & 20.2; OB 7.3
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Unless the relevant details are described in (or reasonably to be inferred from) the
Contract, the Contractor would not have allowed in his pricing for costs
attributable to the testing by the Employer's Personnel under Sub-Clause 7.3,
such as the provision of test equipment or special access arrangements. Whilst
the Contractor is obliged to give the Employer's Personnel full opportunity to
inspect and test, this Sub-Clause assumes that no significant Unforeseeable Cost
will be incurred. Tenderers must make appropriate allowance for providing facilities
for inspections and testing mentioned in the Contract.
If the Employer's Personnel intend to carry out inspections or testing for which the
Contractor will be required to provide additional facilities or other things at
significant Cost, details should be specified in the Contract. If these facilities or
other things are not so specified, they may be instructed under Clause 13.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Contractor is required to give notice when any Plant
or Materials is about to be packaged or covered up. If he fails to notify, and
proceeds with packaging and/or covering up, he must unpack and uncover at
his own cost, notwithstanding that the Plant or Materials may be in accordance
with the Contract. If the Contractor does notify, the Engineer must be
reasonably prompt in responding, by carrying out the examination, inspection,
measurement or testing without unreasonable delay, or by giving written notice
to the Contractor that it is considered unnecessary. Unreasonable delay may
entitle the Contractor to an extension of time under Sub-Clause 8.4(e). Under
Sub-Clause 1.3, these notices must be given in writing and a copy sent to the
Employer.
Under EPCT, the situation is similar but the extent of off-Site examinations and
inspections must have been specified in the Contract. The Employer's Personnel
are not expected to monitor the execution of the Works as thoroughly as is usually
expected of the Engineer under CONS or P&DB..
This Sub-Clause shall apply to all tests specified in the
Contract, other than the Tests after Completion (if any).
The Contractor shall provide all apparatus,
assistance, documents and other information,
electricity, equipment, fuel, consumables,
instruments, labour, materials, and suitably qualified
and experienced staff, as are necessary to carry out
the specified tests efficiently. The Contractor shall
agree, with the Engineer, the time and place for the
specified testing of any Plant, Materials and other
parts of the Works.
The Engineer may, under Clause 13 [ Variations and
Adjustments ], vary the location or details of
specified tests, or instruct the Contractor to carry
out additional tests. If these varied or additional
tests show that the tested Plant, Materials or
workmanship is not in accordance with the
Contract, the cost of carrying out this Variation shall
agree, with the Engineer, the time and place for the
parts of the Works.
The Engineer may, under Clause 13 [ Variations and
agree, with the Employer, the time and place for the
parts of the Works.
The Employer may, under Clause 13 [ Variations and
CONS P&DB EPCT
7.4 Testing
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be borne by the Contractor, notwithstanding other
provisions of the Contract.
The Engineer shall give the Contractor not less than
24 hours’ notice of the Engineer’s intention to
attend the tests. If the Engineer does not attend at
the time and place agreed, the Contractor may
proceed with the tests, unless otherwise instructed
by the Engineer, and the tests shall then be deemed
to have been made in the Engineer’s presence.
from complying with these instructions or as a result
of a delay for which the Employer is responsible, the
[ Contractor’s Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
Price.
The Contractor shall promptly forward to the
Engineer duly certified reports of the tests. When
the specified tests have been passed, the Engineer
shall endorse the Contractor’s test certificate, or
issue a certificate to him, to that effect. If the
Engineer has not attended the tests, he shall be
deemed to have accepted the readings as accurate.
24 hours' notice of the Engineer's intention to
attend the tests. If the Engineer does not attend at
by the Engineer, and the tests shall then be deemed
to have been made in the Engineer's presence.
Completion ], and
Price.
Engineer duly certified reports of the tests. When
the specified tests have been passed, the Engineer
shall endorse the Contractor's test certificate, or
Engineer has not attended the tests, he shall be
The Employer shall give the Contractor not less than
24 hours' notice of the Employer's intention to
attend the tests. If the Employer does not attend at
by the Employer, and the tests shall then be deemed
to have been made in the Employer's presence.
Contractor shall give notice to the Employer and
Completion ], and
profit, which shall be added to the Contract
Price.
Employer duly certified reports of the tests. When
the specified tests have been passed, the Employer
shall endorse the Contractor's test certificate, or
Employer has not attended the tests, he shall be
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 36 & 37.3; YB 20.3 - 20.5, 28.2 & 28.4; OB 7.4
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If, as a result of an examination, inspection,
measurement or testing, any Plant, Materials or
workmanship is found to be defective or otherwise
not in accordance with the Contract, the Engineer
may reject the Plant, Materials or workmanship by
giving notice to the Contractor, with reasons. The
Contractor shall then promptly make good the
defect and ensure that the rejected item complies
with the Contract.
If the Engineer requires this Plant, Materials or
workmanship to be retested, the tests shall be
repeated under the same terms and conditions. If
the rejection and retesting cause the Employer to
incur additional costs, the Contractor shall subject
to Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s Claims ] pay these
costs to the Employer.
If, as a result of an examination, inspection,
measurement or testing, any Plant, Materials,
design or workmanship is found to be defective or
otherwise not in accordance with the Contract, the
Engineer may reject the Plant, Materials, design or
workmanship by giving notice to the Contractor,
with reasons. The Contractor shall then promptly
make good the defect and ensure that the rejected
item complies with the Contract.
If the Engineer requires this Plant, Materials, design
or workmanship to be retested, the tests shall be
to Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer's Claims ] pay these
if, as a result of an examination, inspection,
measurement or testing, any Plant, Materials,
design or workmanship is found to be defective or
otherwise not in accordance with the Contract, the
Employer may reject the Plant, Materials, design or
workmanship by giving notice to the Contractor,
with reasons. The Contractor shall then promptly
make good the defect and ensure that the rejected
item complies with the Contract.
If the Employer requires this Plant, Materials, design
or workmanship to be retested, the tests shall be
Sub-Clause 7.3 obliges the Contractor to give full opportunity for others to carry
out tests, many of which may not be described in the Contract.
Sub-Clause 7.4 refers to the Contractor's responsibility to carry out all the tests
specified in the Contract, except for any Tests after Completion. Sub-Clause 7.4
thus also applies to the Tests on Completion, and is referred to in the first
sentence of Clause 9.
Sub-Clause 7.4 makes no specific mention of the possible addition of tests not
provided for in the Contract, because additional tests would be instructed as
Variations under Clause 13. It is advisable to seek prior agreement of the
consequences of each Variation, but it may not be possible to do so.
If the Contractor suffers delay or incurs Cost, he gives notice under the fifth
paragraph. CONS/P&DB 1.3 requires the Contractor to send a copy of the notice
to the Employer. Sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) describe the Contractor's
entitlements in terms which are used elsewhere in the General Conditions. See the
Table in this Guide at the end of the commentary on Clause 3, and also the
commentaries on Sub-Clauses 8.4 and 20.1.
Tests may be required at many stages of manufacture, construction, erection and
commissioning, and could be significant in terms of verifying that Plant and
Materials, and P&DB/EPCT's Works, are fit for their intended purposes, in
accordance with Sub-Clause 4.1. The final paragraph therefore requires the
outcome of the specified tests (i.e., those specified in the Contract) to be properly
recorded in a Contractor's report and a certificate.
CONS P&DB EPCT
7.5 Rejection
RB 37.4; YB 21; OB 7.5
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Under CONS/P&DB 15.2(c)(ii), inexcusable failure to comply with Sub-Clause 7.5
and/or 7.6 entitles the Employer to termination. There is no necessity for the
Engineer to issue a notice under Sub-Clause 15.1, although the giving of a notice
may be in the interests of the Employer.
EPCT 15.2 does not refer to Sub-Clause 7.5 or 7.6, because the Employer's
Personnel are not expected to monitor the execution of the Works as thoroughly
as is usually expected of the Engineer under CONS or P&DB.
The first paragraph applies if, following any of the activities described in Sub-
Clause 7.3 or 7.4, something is found to be defective. The Contractor is then
required to remedy the defect and make the thing comply with the Contract. He
may request clarification (in borderline cases) of the reasons why it is considered
to be defective, but there is no need for the Engineer or other Employer's
Personnel to identify the cause of the defect.
Employer's Personnel may prefer to avoid prescribing the method of rectification,
which should remain the Contractor's responsibility.
CONS P&DB EPCT
7.6 Remedial Work
Notwithstanding any previous test or certification,
the Engineer may instruct the Contractor to:
(a) remove from the Site and replace any Plant
or Materials which is not in accordance with
the Contract,
(b) remove and re-execute any other work which
is not in accordance with the Contract, and
(c) execute any work which is urgently required
for the safety of the Works, whether because
of an accident, unforeseeable event or
otherwise.
The Contractor shall comply with the instruction
within a reasonable time, which shall be the time (if
any) specified in the instruction, or immediately if
urgency is specified under sub-paragraph (c).
If the Contractor fails to comply with the instruction,
the Employer shall be entitled to employ and pay
other persons to carry out the work. Except to the
extent that the Contractor would have been entitled
to payment for the work, the Contractor shall
subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s Claims ] pay
to the Employer all costs arising from this failure.
the Engineer may instruct the Contractor to:
the Contract,
otherwise.
The Contractor shall comply with the instruction
within a reasonable time, which shall be the time (if
any) specified in the instruction, or immediately if
urgency is specified under sub-paragraph (c).
If the Contractor fails to comply with the instruction,
the Employer shall be entitled to employ and pay
other persons to carry out the work. Except to the
extent that the Contractor would have been entitled
to payment for the work, the Contractor shall
subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer's Claims ] pay
to the Employer all costs arising from this failure.
the Employer may instruct the Contractor to:
the Contract,
otherwise.
If the Contractor fails to comply with any such
instruction, which complies with Sub-Clause 3.4
[ Instructions ], the Employer shall be entitled to
employ and pay other persons to carry out the
work. Except to the extent that the Contractor
would have been entitled to payment for the work,
the Contractor shall subject to Sub-Clause 2.5
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[ Employer's Claims ] pay to the Employer all costs
arising from this failure.
Under CONS/P&DB 15.2(c)(ii), inexcusable failure to comply with Sub-Clause 7.6
entitles the Employer to termination. There is no necessity for the Engineer to
issue a notice under Sub-Clause 15.1, although the giving of a notice may be in
the interests of the Employer.
EPCT 3.4 requires each instruction to state the obligations to which it relates,
without which it is not a valid instruction. Therefore, EPCT 7.6 omits the paragraph
requiring the Contractor to comply with the instruction, and the final paragraph
refers to EPCT 3.4. EPCT 15.2 does not refer to Sub-Clause 7.5 or 7.6, because
the Employer's Personnel are not expected to monitor the execution of the Works
as thoroughly as is usually expected of the Engineer under CONS or P&DB.
CONS P&DB EPCT
7.7 Ownership of Plant and Materials
Each item of Plant and Materials shall, to the extent
consistent with the Laws of the Country, become
the property of the Employer at whichever is the
earlier of the following times, free from liens and
other encumbrances:
(a) when it is delivered to the Site;
(b) when the Contractor is entitled to payment of
the value of the Plant and Materials under
Sub-Clause 8.10 [ Payment for Plant and
Materials in Event of Suspension ].
other encumbrances:
other encumbrances:
YB 32; OB 7.6
The Plant and Materials are required to become the property of the Employer "free
from liens and other encumbrances", which include the rights which a seller may
have until such time that he receives payment from the purchaser/buyer.
Under sub-paragraph (a), the Contractor relinquishes ownership on delivery at
Site, irrespective of Sub-Clause 14.5. If he is not then able to transfer ownership
(because of the terms of his supply subcontract, for example), he is in breach of
As a legal matter, it may be important to establish the ownership of Plant and
Materials, particularly in case of bankruptcy/liquidation of the person who is in
possession of them. In some countries, the Employer may have certain rights in
respect of items for which he has paid, entitling him to take possession of them.
To the extent that any part of Sub-Clause 7.7 is inconsistent with applicable Laws,
they are stated to prevail.
RB 39 & 64
CONS P&DB EPCT
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Unless otherwise stated in the Specification, the
Contractor shall pay all royalties, rents and other
payments for:
(a) natural Materials obtained from outside the
Site, and
(b) the disposal of material from demolitions and
excavations and of other surplus material
(whether natural or man-made), except to the
extent that disposal areas within the Site are
specified in the Contract.
Requirements, the Contractor shall pay all royalties,
rents and other payments for:
Site, and
Requirements, the Contractor shall pay all royalties,
rents and other payments for:
Site, and
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 28.2
7.8 Royalties
The owner of goods may be liable for the payment of taxes or duties, and
ownership may also be a factor in determining liability for care, custody and
control.
Contractors are sometimes reluctant to have these provisions in the
Contract, because of the possibility of inconsistency with the requirements of
suppliers and Subcontractors. However, subcontracts must be consistent
with the main contract, which typically becomes effective before subcontracts
do so.
the Contract. Sub-Clause 14.5 may have entitled him previously to payment when
shipped; or may not entitle him to payment even though the item has become the
Employer's property under Sub-Clause 7.7(a).
Under sub-paragraph (b), the change in ownership occurs as soon as the
Contractor is entitled under Sub-Clause 8.10 to payment, and not when he
subsequently receives payment. In other words, change in ownership does not
depend upon the Contractor having received payment in full, which might
sometimes be difficult to establish.
The Employer will have provided the Site (although the land may be owned by
others), so the Contractor is typically entitled to use the earth, rock and other
natural Materials on the Site for any earthworks which may be required on the Site,
without paying the Employer (or others) for these Materials. These earthworks may
be part of the Permanent or Temporary Works.
Similarly, if the execution of the Works involves the disposal of material in areas
within the Site, the Contractor would not expect to pay the Employer for such use
of these areas. These typical arrangements may be implied from Sub-Clauses 2.1
and 7.8, unless other arrangements are specified in the Contract.
The Contractor is responsible for making the necessary arrangements with
owners and/or occupiers of quarries, borrow areas and spoil tips, if the Works:
- involve earth, rock or other natural Materials being obtained from outside
the Site, and/or
- involve off-Site disposal of surplus material from the required excavation
and demolition works.
These owners and/or occupiers may, however, be prepared to pay the Contractor
for the benefit of being able to use surplus material from the required excavation
and demolition Permanent Works. The General Conditions do not prevent the
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Contractor retaining these payments for the disposal described in sub-paragraph
(b). Typically, if a contract requires the Contractor to dispose of things off the Site,
they become his property. However, he is not entitled to take the Employer's
property (whether natural or man-made) which is either specified to be placed in
"disposal areas within the Site" or is not surplus material from the required
excavation and demolition Permanent Works.
On a project involving a substantial amount of earthworks or off-Site disposal, the
Contract should clarify the extent to which the Contractor may dispose of surplus
material on the Site, and may have to define the boundaries of the Site accurately.
If the Contract specifies the land areas that are to be used for the disposal of
surplus material, the requirement to use these land areas may have the effect of
making them parts of the Site, unless the Contract states otherwise.
Under Sub-Clause 2.1, the Employer is responsible for giving the Contractor free
right of access to all parts of the Site, but not to any other land areas which the
Contractor uses, such as for the disposal of surplus material from the required
excavation and demolition works.
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It may be necessary to add further information regarding the arrangements for
giving the Contractor possession of the Site in accordance with Sub-Clause 2.1.
The Employer should not enter into the Contract until he expects to be able to
comply with Sub-Clause 2.1. The Contractor cannot start work on the Site until
possession has been given under Sub-Clause 2.1. The period of 42 days is
specified because one or both of the Parties usually prefers an early
Commencement Date.
Failure to notify the Commencement Date in accordance with Sub-Clause 8.1
would constitute a breach of the Contract, the effect of which would depend upon
the magnitude of the failure and applicable Laws. For example, if the notified
Commencement Date were only a few days after the six weeks had expired, the
Contractor might only be entitled to relatively small financial compensation, and
not to termination.
The importance of the last sentence of Sub-Clause 8.1 should not be overlooked.
7 days' notice of the Commencement Date. Unless
otherwise stated in the Particular Conditions, the
Commencement Date shall be within 42 days after
the Contractor receives the Letter of Acceptance.
The Contractor shall commence the execution of
the Works as soon as is reasonably practicable after
the Commencement Date, and shall then proceed
with the Works with due expedition and without
delay.
7 days' notice of the Commencement Date. Unless
otherwise stated in the Particular Conditions, the
Commencement Date shall be within 42 days after
the Contractor receives the Letter of Acceptance.
The Contractor shall commence the design and
execution of the Works as soon as is reasonably
practicable after the Commencement Date, and
shall then proceed with the Works with due
expedition and without delay.
Unless otherwise stated in the Contract Agreement:
(a) the Employer shall give the Contractor not
less than 7 days' notice of the
Commencement Date; and
(b) the Commencement Date shall be within 42
days after the date on which the Contract
comes into full force and effect under Sub-
Clause 1.6 [ Contract Agreement ].
The Contractor shall commence the design and
execution of the Works as soon as is reasonably
practicable after the Commencement Date, and
shall then proceed with the Works with due
expedition and without delay.
The "Commencement Date" is the date on which the Time for Completion
commences. The Contractor is required to commence the execution of the Works
as soon as practicable thereafter. No period is specified within which he has to
commence, because of the practical difficulties in defining what constitutes
commencement. The date on which the Works are completed is typically more
important than the date on which they appear to have been commenced.
If the Contract Agreement defines the Commencement Date, such a definition will
be binding, because the Contract Agreement has the highest priority under Sub-
Clause 1.5. CONS/P&DB 8.1 does not refer to the Contract Agreement, but only
because the notification by the Engineer is the procedure most often used.
The notice should be given soon after (and not before) the Contract becomes
legally effective, and need only state:
"We hereby give notice, in the terms of Sub-Clause 8.1 of the Conditions of
Contract, that the Commencement Date shall be …"
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 41; YB 1.1.1; OB 8.1
8.1 Commencement of Work
Clause 8 Commencement, Delays and Suspension
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The Contractor shall complete the whole of the
Works, and each Section (if any), within the Time for
Completion for the Works or Section (as the case
may be), including:
(a) achieving the passing of the Tests on
Completion, and
(b) completing all work which is stated in the
Contract as being required for the Works or
Section to be considered to be completed for
the purposes of taking-over under Sub-
Sections ].
may be), including:
Completion, and
Sections ].
may be), including:
Completion, and
Sections ].
Notwithstanding extensions to the Time for Completion, particularly for delays
which only affect part of the Works, the Contractor has to proceed expeditiously.
This may, depending on the circumstances, oblige him to complete other parts
(which were not affected by a delay which entitled him to an extension of time)
before the expiry of the extended Time for Completion. However, the
circumstances may give rise to practical difficulties in defining what constitutes
"due expedition", particularly if the Employer considers himself entitled to
termination under Sub-Clause 15.2(c).
CONS P&DB EPCT
8.2 Time for Completion
RB 43; YB 25; OB 8.2
This is the Contractor's fundamental time-related obligation, namely completion
within the Time for Completion calculated from the Commencement Date (see
Sub-Clause 8.1).
If different parts of the Works are required to be completed within different Times
for Completion, these parts should be defined as Sections: in the Appendix to
Tender under CONS/P&DB, or in EPCT's Particular Conditions. Precise
geographical definitions are advisable, in order to minimise ambiguity regarding
each Party's responsibilities when the Employer takes over a Section.
The Sub-Clause defines the extent of the work to be completed within the Time
for Completion and before taking-over, in accordance with the first sentence of
Sub-Clause 10.1 (sub-paragraph (i)), but subject to the exception of some items
of minor outstanding work and defects permitted in Sub-Clause 10.1(a).
The work to be completed within the Time for Completion includes, under sub-
paragraph (b), all work for which the Contract uses the following provision:
"The Works shall not be considered to be completed for the purposes of taking-
over under Sub-Clause 10.1 of the Conditions of Contract until …"
These quoted words should be used wherever the Contract is to require a
particular item of work to be completed within the Time for Completion and
before taking-over. These words are used in CONS 4.1(d) and in P&DB/EPCT 5.5,
5.6 and 5.7, except that the phrase "of the Conditions of Contract" is omitted.
The exception permitted in Sub-Clause 10.1(a), namely of some items of minor
outstanding work, should not be regarded as including an entire item of work
which is expressly stated as being required for the Works to be considered to be
completed for the purposes of taking over.
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The Contractor shall submit a detailed time
programme to the Engineer within 28 days after
receiving the notice under Sub-Clause 8.1
[ Commencement of Works ]. The Contractor shall
also submit a revised programme whenever the
previous programme is inconsistent with actual
progress or with the Contractor’s obligations. Each
programme shall include:
(a) the order in which the Contractor intends to
carry out the Works, including the anticipated
timing of each stage of design (if any),
Contractor’s Documents, procurement,
manufacture of Plant, delivery to Site,
construction, erection and testing,
(b) each of these stages for work by each
nominated Subcontractor (as defined in
Clause 5 [ Nominated Subcontractors ]),
(c) the sequence and timing of inspections and
tests specified in the Contract, and
(d) a supporting report which includes:
(i) a general description of the methods
which the Contractor intends to adopt,
and of the major stages, in the execution
of the Works, and
(ii) details showing the Contractor’s
reasonable estimate of the number of
each class of Contractor’s Personnel and
of each type of Contractor’s Equipment,
required on the Site for each major stage.
Unless the Engineer, within 21 days after receiving a
The Contractor shall submit a detailed time
programme to the Engineer within 28 days after
receiving the notice under Sub-Clause 8.1
[ Commencement of Works ]. The Contractor shall
also submit a revised programme whenever the
previous programme is inconsistent with actual
progress or with the Contractor’s obligations. Each
programme shall include:
timing of each stage of design, Contractor’s
inspection, delivery to Site, construction,
erection, testing, commissioning and trial
operation,
(b) the periods for reviews under Sub-Clause 5.2
[ Contractor’s Documents ] and for any other
submissions, approvals and consents
specified in the Employer’s Requirements,
which the Contractor intends to adopt,
and of the major stages, in the execution
of the Works, and
(ii) details showing the Contractor’s
reasonable estimate of the number of
each class of Contractor’s Personnel and
of each type of Contractor’s Equipment,
required on the Site for each major stage.
Unless the Engineer, within 21 days after receiving a
The Contractor shall submit a time programme to
the Employer within 28 days after the
Commencement Date. The Contractor shall also
submit a revised programme whenever the previous
programme is inconsistent with actual progress or
with the Contractor's obligations. Unless otherwise
stated in the Contract, each programme shall
include:
timing of each major stage of the Works,
(b) the periods for reviews under Sub-Clause 5.2
[ Contractor's Documents ],
which the Contractor intends to adopt for
the execution of each major stage of the
Works, and
(ii) the approximate number of each class of
Contractor's Personnel and of each type
of Contractor's Equipment for each major
stage.
Unless the Employer, within 21 days after receiving
CONS P&DB EPCT
8.3 Programme
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programme, gives notice to the Contractor stating
the extent to which it does not comply with the
Contract, the Contractor shall proceed in
accordance with the programme, subject to his
other obligations under the Contract. The
Employer’s Personnel shall be entitled to rely upon
the programme when planning their activities.
The Contractor shall promptly give notice to the
Engineer of specific probable future events or
circumstances which may adversely affect the work,
increase the Contract Price or delay the execution of
the Works. The Engineer may require the Contractor
to submit an estimate of the anticipated effect of the
future event or circumstances, and/or a proposal
under Sub-Clause 13.3 [ Variation Procedure ].
If, at any time, the Engineer gives notice to the
Contractor that a programme fails (to the extent
stated) to comply with the Contract or to be
consistent with actual progress and the Contractor’s
stated intentions, the Contractor shall submit a
revised programme to the Engineer in accordance
with this Sub-Clause.
programme, gives notice to the Contractor stating
Employer’s Personnel shall be entitled to rely upon
Engineer of specific probable future events or
circumstances which may adversely affect the work,
increase the Contract Price or delay the execution of
the Works. The Engineer may require the Contractor
to submit an estimate of the anticipated effect of the
future event or circumstances, and/or a proposal
under Sub-Clause 13.3 [ Variation Procedure ].
If, at any time, the Engineer gives notice to the
Contractor that a programme fails (to the extent
stated) to comply with the Contract or to be
consistent with actual progress and the Contractor’s
stated intentions, the Contractor shall submit a
revised programme to the Engineer in accordance
with this Sub-Clause.
a programme, gives notice to the Contractor stating
Employer's Personnel shall be entitled to rely upon
Employer of specific probable future events or
circumstances which may adversely affect or delay
the execution of the Works. In this event, or if the
Employer gives notice to the Contractor that a
programme fails (to the extent stated) to comply with
the Contract or to be consistent with actual progress
and the Contractor's stated intentions, the
Contractor shall submit a revised programme to the
Employer in accordance with this Sub-Clause.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 14.1 & 14.2; YB 12; OB 4.14
An experienced contractor will always prepare an up-to-date programme. It will be
required under CONS/P&DB by the Engineer to monitor progress, and under all
Books by Employer's Personnel to plan their activities. However, this Sub-Clause
does not empower them to give or withhold approval to the programme, only to
notify the extent to which it does not comply with the Contract. Therefore, neither
Party can misuse the programme in order to achieve an unfair advantage over the
other Party. Since there is no approval:
- approval cannot be wrongfully withheld unless and until the programme
incorporates a constraint which was not envisaged in the Contract; and
- if the Contractor wrongfully submits an over-optimistic programme or
supporting report (in terms of productivity, for example), there will be no
approved programme or report to be used thereafter for the
unquestionable validation of a claim for extension of time. It would not be
reasonable for obligations to be imposed on the Employer by reason of a
document which was prepared after the Contract became effective and to
which consent was not required to be given, and was not given.
The Employer's Personnel will, of course, be bound by any constraints contained
in the Contract (the periods for reviews under P&DB 5.2, for example), and the
programme may (or may not) be suitable for calculating an extension of time.
The Employer's Personnel are stated to be entitled to rely upon the programme.
They may, for example, need to arrange for certain people to be available when
particular parts of the Works are being executed, or when particular Contractor's
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General Conditions, because an inadvertent failure might then be construed as
excusing delayed completion.
Under the second and the last sentences of Sub-Clause 8.3, the Contractor
should revise the programme whenever the previous programme is inconsistent
with:
- actual progress (which may be either behind or ahead of the current version
of the programme),
- the Contractor's obligations (accelerated completion would be consistent
with such obligations), or
- his stated intentions (for example, "the arrangements and methods … for
the execution of the Works" mentioned in Sub-Clause 4.1).
Documents are to be submitted for review. More of them may need to be on Site
during periods when the rate of progress is at its peak, especially if the
Contractor's Personnel will be working multiple shifts, including night-work.
The third paragraph requires the Contractor to give notice of probable future
events which may adversely affect the Works, and particularly those which may
increase the actual time required for completion. Note that it is the actual time
which is referred to as being affected, not the Time for Completion to which the
Contractor is entitled, so the obligation to notify includes events other than those
listed in Sub-Clause 8.4. Anticipation of future problems is an important part of
project management.
Similarly, the Employer's Personnel should keep the Contractor informed of these
probable future events, it being in the Employer's interest to ensure that the
Contractor is fully aware of them. There is no statement to this effect in the
The Contractor shall be entitled subject to Sub-
Clause 20.1 [ Contractor’s Claims ] to an extension
of the Time for Completion if and to the extent that
completion for the purposes of Sub-Clause 10.1
[ Taking Over of the Works and Sections ] is or will
be delayed by any of the following causes:
(a) a Variation (unless an adjustment to the Time
for Completion has been agreed under Sub-
Clause 13.3 [ Variation Procedure ]) or other
substantial change in the quantity of an item
of work included in the Contract,
(b) a cause of delay giving an entitlement to
extension of time under a Sub-Clause of
these Conditions,
(c) exceptionally adverse climatic conditions,
(d) Unforeseeable shortages in the availability of
personnel or Goods caused by epidemic or
governmental actions, or
Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's Claims ] to an extension
Clause 13.3 [ Variation Procedure ]),
these Conditions,
(c) exceptionally adverse climatic conditions,
(d) Unforeseeable shortages in the availability of
personnel or Goods caused by epidemic or
governmental actions, or
Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's Claims ] to an extension
Clause 13.3 [ Variation Procedure ]),
these Conditions, or
CONS P&DB EPCT
8.4 Extension of Time for Completion
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(e) any delay, impediment or prevention caused
by or attributable to the Employer, the
Employer’s Personnel, or the Employer’s
other contractors on the Site.
If the Contractor considers himself to be entitled to
an extension of the Time for Completion, the
Contractor shall give notice to the Engineer in
accordance with Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor’s
Claims ]. When determining each extension of time
under Sub-Clause 20.1, the Engineer shall review
previous determinations and may increase, but shall
not decrease, the total extension of time.
(e) any delay, impediment or prevention caused
Employer's Personnel, or the Employer's
Contractor shall give notice to the Engineer in
accordance with Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's
under Sub-Clause 20.1, the Engineer shall review
(c) any delay, impediment or prevention caused
Employer's Personnel, or the Employer's
Contractor shall give notice to the Employer in
accordance with Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's
under Sub-Clause 20.1, the Employer shall review
Provisions for extension of time are for the benefit of both parties. The Sub-Clause
benefits the Contractor by giving him more time if any of the listed events occurs
and delays completion. The Sub-Clause protects the Employer (especially if there
is a delay, impediment or prevention by the Employer under the final sub-
paragraph) from the possibility of Sub-Clause 8.2 being invalidated under
applicable Laws. Note the following aspects of the first sentence:
- "The Contractor shall be entitled …": which is not stated as being subject
to anyone's opinion.
- "… subject to Sub-Clause 20.1 …": the second and the final paragraphs of
which may affect the entitlement to an extension of time.
- "… to an extension … if and to the extent that completion … is … delayed
by …": so the extension should typically be calculated by reference to the
delay in completion attributable to a listed cause. It may have disrupted
progress, but may not itself have been the cause of any delay in
completion. For example, a listed cause may only delay works which are
not on the critical path and thus do not delay "completion for the purposes
of Sub-Clause 10.1".
- "...completion for the purposes of Sub-Clause 10.1 …": its first sentence
(sub-paragraph 10.1(i)) defines the extent of the work which is to be
completed within the Time for Completion, and which is thus relevant when
considering extensions of time. The work must include the matters
described in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of Sub-Clause 8.2 but may
exclude, as permitted in Sub-Clause 10.1(a), "any minor outstanding work
and defects which will not substantially affect the use of the Works or
Section for their intended purpose (either until or whilst this work is
completed and these defects are remedied)".
Sub-Clause 8.4 does not include a descriptive list of all events which can give rise
to an extension. Sub-paragraph (b) refers to other Sub-Clauses which entitle the
Contractor to extensions of time, and which are included in the Table in this Guide
at the end of the commentary on Clause 3. Each of these other Sub-Clauses
entitles the Contractor (usually in a sub-paragraph (a)) to "an extension of time …,
if completion is or will be delayed, under Sub-Clause 8.4". The phrase "completion
… under Sub-Clause 8.4" means "completion for the purposes of Sub-Clause
10.1", as analysed above.
Unless the Contractor does not consider himself entitled to an extension of time
(e.g., because "completion" will not be delayed), he is required to give the notice
described in the first paragraph of Sub-Clause 20.1 (to which Sub-Clause 4.21(f)
refers). Sub-Clause 20.1 specifies the procedure for agreement or determination
of the extension of time, which is the same procedure as that for the agreement
or determination of additional payments. However, Sub-Clause 8.4 and
entitlements to extension of time do not themselves entitle the Contractor to
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 44; YB 26; OB 8.3
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8.6. Acceleration to complete prior to the Time for Completion is covered in Sub-
Clause 13.2. This "Time for Completion" is defined in Sub-Clause 1.1.3.3 as
including extensions of time due under Sub-Clause 8.4. If the Engineer (under
CONS or P&DB) or Employer (under EPCT) fails to determine extensions of time
in accordance with Sub-Clauses 8.4 and 20.1:
- there would thereafter be no "Time for Completion" (time is said to be "at
large"),
- the Contract would be construed accordingly (Sub-Clause 8.6 may be
inapplicable, for example), and
- the Contractor's obligation would be to complete within a time which was
reasonable in all the circumstances.
CONS/P&DB 3.3 requires the Contractor to comply with acceleration instructions
given by the Engineer, although he is not empowered to instruct the Contractor to
complete prior to the Time for Completion. If the Contractor receives such an
instruction, he must obey it, but he may consider it advisable to notify the
Employer immediately and advise him of the likely effect on the final Contract
Price. The effect of these instructions may be much greater than the Employer
may envisage, and would entitle the Contractor to request the evidence under
Sub-Clause 2.4 of the Employer's ability to pay the increased Contract Price.
EPCT 3.4 constrains the Employer's instructions to those necessary for the
Contractor's obligations, which must be identified in the instruction. The Employer
is not empowered to instruct the Contractor to complete prior to the Time for
Completion, and the Contractor is not obliged to comply with any such instruction.
If the Parties intend to enter into an agreement for accelerated completion, their
agreement should define the consequences if actual completion is not achieved
within the desired accelerated time for completion, but occurs within the Time for
Completion including extensions of time due. Will Sub-Clause 8.7 apply, but with
respect to the failure to complete within such desired (and agreed) accelerated
time for completion? Or will there be a reduction in a bonus payment, with Sub-
Clause 8.7 only applying with respect to the failure to complete within the Time for
Completion including all extensions of time due under Sub-Clause 8.4.
additional payment. CONS/P&DB 1.3 requires the Contractor to send a copy of
his notices to the Employer.
Most of the Sub-Clauses to which sub-paragraph (b) of Sub-Clause 8.4 relates
provide for the financial consequences, but Sub-Clause 8.5 is one exception.
Under CONS or P&DB, Sub-Clause 8.4(c) entitles the Contractor to an extension
of time for climatic conditions which are "exceptionally adverse". In order to
establish whether such climatic conditions occurred, it may be appropriate to
compare the adverse climatic conditions with the frequency with which events of
similar adversity have previously occurred at or near the Site. An exceptional
degree of adversity might, for example, be regarded as one which has a
probability of occurrence of four or five times the Time for Completion of the
Works (for example, once every eight to ten years for a two-year contract).
However, there is no equivalent entitlement to additional payment in respect of a
climatic condition, unless it satisfies the criteria specified in Sub-Clause 17.3(h). If
it satisfies these criteria, Sub-Clause 17.4 entitles the Contractor to compensation
for rectifying some of the damage attributable to climatic conditions.
Under EPCT, the Contractor is not entitled to an extension of time for climatic
conditions, unless they constitute Force Majeure under Clause 19.
Finally, the Sub-Clause concludes by confirming that the total of all extensions of
time, either for the Works or for a particular Section, cannot subsequently be
decreased. This is so even if many omissions are instructed as Variations,
although the Contractor's obligation under Sub-Clause 8.1 to proceed "with due
expedition and without delay" may infer completion sooner than is required under
Sub-Clause 8.2.
Although the Contractor may submit a proposal (under Sub-Clause 13.2(i)) which
will "accelerate completion", or he may (under Sub-Clause 13.1) be requested to
submit such a proposal, the General Conditions contain no provisions under
which he may be instructed to achieve completion before the Time for Completion
expires, including extensions due under Sub-Clause 8.4. If the Employer wishes
this to be achieved, the Parties should endeavour to reach agreement.
Acceleration to complete within the Time for Completion is covered in Sub-Clause
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If the following conditions apply, namely:
(a) the Contractor has diligently followed the
procedures laid down by the relevant legally
constituted public authorities in the Country,
(b) these authorities delay or disrupt the
Contractor’s work, and
(c) the delay or disruption was Unforeseeable,
then this delay or disruption will be considered as a
cause of delay under sub-paragraph (b) of Sub-
Clause 8.4 [ Extension of Time for Completion ].
Contractor’s work, and
(c) the delay or disruption was Unforeseeable,
Contractor's work, and
(c) the delay or disruption was not reasonably
foreseeable by an experienced contractor by
the date for submission of the Tender,
RB 31.2; OB 8.4
CONS P&DB EPCT
8.5 Delay Caused by Authorities
This Sub-Clause, like Sub-Clause 8.4, makes no mention of the financial
consequences, because they would depend upon the particular circumstances.
CONS P&DB EPCT
8.6 Rate of Progress
If, at any time:
(a) actual progress is too slow to complete
within the Time for Completion, and/or
(b) progress has fallen (or will fall) behind the
current programme under Sub-Clause 8.3
[ Programme ],
other than as a result of a cause listed in Sub-
Clause 8.4 [ Extension of Time for Completion ],
then the Engineer may instruct the Contractor to
If, at any time:
[ Programme ],
then the Engineer may instruct the Contractor to
If, at any time:
[ Programme ],
then the Employer may instruct the Contractor to
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submit, under Sub-Clause 8.3 [ Programme ], a
revised programme and supporting report
describing the revised methods which the
Contractor proposes to adopt in order to expedite
progress and complete within the Time for
Completion.
Unless the Engineer notifies otherwise, the
Contractor shall adopt these revised methods,
which may require increases in the working hours
and/or in the numbers of Contractor’s Personnel
and/or Goods, at the risk and cost of the
Contractor. If these revised methods cause the
Employer to incur additional costs, the Contractor
shall subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s
Claims ] pay these costs to the Employer, in addition
to delay damages (if any) under Sub-Clause 8.7
below.
Completion.
Unless the Engineer notifies otherwise, the
below.
Completion.
Unless the Employer notifies otherwise, the
below.
CONS P&DB EPCT
to an extension of time is in the range of between two and six weeks.
Under Sub-Clause 1.1.3.3, the "Time for Completion" includes extensions of time
due under Sub-Clause 8.4. If the Engineer (under CONS or P&DB) or Employer
(under EPCT) fails to determine extensions of time in accordance with Sub-
Clauses 8.4 and 20.1, there would thereafter be no "Time for Completion" and
Sub-Clause 8.6 may be inapplicable.
If Sub-Clause 8.6 is applicable, an instruction given under it should refer to it as
well as requiring the Contractor to submit, under Sub-Clause 8.3, a revised
programme and supporting report. Instructions given under Sub-Clause 8.6 may
give rise to the entitlement described in its final paragraph, so it is important to
record the basis of the instruction. In particular, EPCT 3.4 requires instructions to
include this information.
This Sub-Clause provides the basis for monitoring progress by reference to the
programme submitted under Sub-Clause 8.3. Its third paragraph requires the
Contractor to give notice of specific probable future events or circumstances
which may adversely affect or delay the execution of the Works.
Sub-Clause 8.6 is only applicable when the situation described in its sub-
paragraph (a) or (b) has arisen for reason(s) other than those listed in Sub-Clause
8.4. It is thus inapplicable if the situation is wholly attributable to causes which are
so listed, or if the Employer prevents extensions of time being agreed or
determined in accordance with the penultimate paragraph of Sub-Clause 20.1.
However, its applicability should not be dependent upon all extensions claimed by
the Contractor having been agreed or determined. For example, Sub-Clause 8.6
would be applicable if it appears that completion will be ten weeks late and an
early outcome of the consultations under Sub-Clause 3.5 is that the entitlement
RB 14.2 & 46; YB 12.3; OB 8.5}
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If the Contractor fails to comply with Sub-
Clause 8.2 [ Time for Completion ], the Contractor
Claims ] pay delay damages to the Employer for this
default. These delay damages shall be the sum
stated in the Appendix to Tender, which shall be
paid for every day which shall elapse between the
relevant Time for Completion and the date stated in
the Taking-Over Certificate. However, the total
amount due under this Sub-Clause shall not exceed
the maximum amount of delay damages (if any)
stated in the Appendix to Tender.
These delay damages shall be the only damages
due from the Contractor for such default, other than
in the event of termination under Sub-Clause 15.2
[ Termination by Employer ] prior to completion of
the Works. These damages shall not relieve the
Contractor from his obligation to complete the Works,
or from any other duties, obligations or responsibilities
which he may have under the Contract.
stated in the Appendix to Tender, which shall be
stated in the Appendix to Tender.
stated in the Particular Conditions, which shall be
stated in the Particular Conditions.
CONS P&DB EPCT
8.7 Delay Damages
RB 47; YB 27.1; OB 8.6
This Sub-Clause defines the extent of the compensation paid by the Contractor
to the Employer if the Works, or a Section (if any), are not completed within the
Time for Completion. Although its operation may be affected by the applicable
Laws, the Sub-Clause generally provides the mechanism for this compensation,
without the Employer having to demonstrate his actual loss.
The sum per day is to be stated in CONS/P&DB's Appendix to Tender or in the
Particular Conditions under EPCT. The sum may be expressed as a percentage of
the Contract Price, unless this would not comply with applicable Laws. They may
require the sum to have been calculated as:
- a reasonable estimate of the Employer's losses or foregone benefits, which
may be equivalent to financing charges for the Contract Price per day, plus
- the daily cost of the Employer's Personnel involved in supervising the
execution of the Works during the period of prolongation.
For the limit of delay damages, if it is to be stated, the usual percentage in
international contracts generally varies between 5% and 15%.
The currencies of payment may affect the Employer's calculation of the sum per
day and the limit. When preparing their tenders, tenderers will wish to assess their
potential liability to the Employer, and take account of the potential liability to pay
the delay damages specified in the tender documents. Delay damages are also
subject to the limit of liability described in Sub-Clause 17.6.
The applicability of Sub-Clause 8.7 is not dependent upon all extensions claimed
by the Contractor having been agreed or determined. The Contractor cannot
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The delay damages are stated to be the only damages due to late completion.
The Employer cannot recover his actual losses due to late taking over. However,
he can recover additional costs which arose directly from the steps taken by the
Contractor to expedite progress, under Sub-Clause 8.6.
In the rare event of a subsequent extension of time, the amount recoverable has
to be recalculated, and any over-payment refunded. No express provision is made
for payment of financing charges in respect of this refund.
Note that Sub-Clause 8.7 applies notwithstanding that the General Conditions
contain no provisions entitling the Contractor to the payment of a bonus for
accelerated completion. When preparing the tender documents, the Employer
may wish to consider incorporating arrangements for bonus payments.
In the Test Editions, this Sub-Clause concluded with a paragraph referring to a
notice which would require the Contractor to complete within a specified
reasonable time. It was decided to omit such a paragraph from Sub-Clause 8.7,
so as to avoid any effect which such a paragraph could have on Clause 15. See
the comments on Sub-Clause 15.1, in this Guide, where it is suggested that the
notice could state that it is given without prejudice to the Employer's rights under
the Contract or otherwise.
The Engineer may at any time instruct the
Contractor to suspend progress of part or all of the
Works. During such suspension, the Contractor
shall protect, store and secure such part or the
Works against any deterioration, loss or damage.
The Engineer may also notify the cause for the
suspension. If and to the extent that the cause is
notified and is the responsibility of the Contractor,
the following Sub-Clauses 8.9, 8.10 and 8.11 shall
not apply.
The Engineer may at any time instruct the
The Engineer may also notify the cause for the
not apply.
The Employer may at any time instruct the
The Employer may also notify the cause for the
not apply.
prevent the deduction by submitting claims for extension of time. However, the
Employer may lose his entitlement to claim delay damages if he prevents
extensions of time being agreed or determined in accordance with the penultimate
paragraph of Sub-Clause 20.1. If the Employer fails to comply (or, under CONS or
P&DB, prevents the Engineer from complying) with Sub-Clause 8.4, he may be
unable to rely upon Sub-Clauses 8.2 and 8.7, under many countries' Laws.
If the Employer considers himself to be entitled to be paid delay damages, he is
required to give notice and particulars in accordance with Sub-Clause 2.5. The
particulars should include a reference to Sub-Clause 8.7 and the calculation of the
amount to which the Employer considers himself to be entitled under these Sub-
Clauses. Sub-Clause 2.5 concludes by stating that the Employer is not entitled to
withhold the amount from payments due to the Contractor, unless and until the
procedure described in Sub-Clause 2.5 has been followed. In practice, the
procedure may take little time and should not prevent reasonably prompt recovery
of the appropriate payment.
Before the Employer deducts delay damages from moneys due to the Contractor,
he could consider whether the delay is a reflection of cash flow shortfall from
interim payments. If so, further diminution of cash flow (by withholding delay
damages) could exacerbate the situation.
CONS P&DB EPCT
8.8 Suspension of Work
RB 40.1; YB 23; OB 8.7
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Suspensions may be required by reason of a situation for which either (or neither)
Party may be responsible.
There is no duty under the Contract to instruct a suspension, even if it is obvious
that certain works must be suspended: for example, because of a flood season.
In these obvious cases, it is the Contractor who is at risk if he persists in executing
work which should obviously be suspended. In some cases, his persistence may
make a suspension necessary for reasons attributable to the Contractor.
Following receipt of the instruction, the Contractor is required to protect, store and
secure. No mention is made of any instruction by (or on behalf of) the Employer.
In practice, the Employer's Personnel should be involved, because of the
entitlement to reimbursement under Sub-Clause 8.9.
No mention is made of any need for the suspension instruction to clarify the cause
for the suspension. Occasionally, the Employer may prefer to admit liability, in
order to avoid notifying a cause which he regards as confidential. In certain cases,
it may be preferable for the Contractor to be given an explanation, in order to
clarify the application of Sub-Clauses 8.9, 8.10 and 8.11. They may be invoked
by the Contractor unless he receives notice of the cause.
from complying with the Engineer’s instructions
under Sub-Clause 8.8 [ Suspension of Work ] and/or
from resuming the work, the Contractor shall give
Completion ], and
The Contractor shall not be entitled to an extension of
time for, or to payment of the Cost incurred in, making
good the consequences of the Contractor’s faulty
design, workmanship or materials, or of the Contractor’s
failure to protect, store or secure in accordance with
Sub-Clause 8.8 [ Suspension of Work ].
from complying with the Engineer’s instructions
Completion ], and
good the consequences of the Contractor’s faulty
design, workmanship or materials, or of the Contractor’s
from complying with the Employer's instructions
notice to the Employer and shall be entitled subject
to Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
good the consequences of the Contractor's faulty
design, workmanship or materials, or of the Contractor's
CONS P&DB EPCT
8.9 Consequences of Suspension
RB 40.1 & 40.2; YB 24; OB 8.8
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- if the suspension is due to a cause which was attributable to or the
responsibility of the Contractor, and of which the Contractor was so notified
under Sub-Clause 8.8,
- in respect of the making good of any deterioration, defect or loss caused
by the Contractor's faulty design, workmanship or materials, or
- which was due to the Contractor's failure to protect, store or secure in
accordance with Sub-Clause 8.8.
The General Conditions do not entitle the Contractor to require the Employer to
take over Plant or Materials if a suspension exceeds 28 days. The Employer may
wish to do so, when he is required to pay for them under Sub-Clause 8.10 and
they become his property under Sub-Clause 7.7(b).
This Sub-Clause sets out the procedure to deal with a suspension which is not
due to the Contractor's shortcomings. Firstly, he gives notice under CONS or
P&DB to the Engineer (with a copy to the Employer under CONS/P&DB 1.3), or
under EPCT to the Employer. Although no time is prescribed for him to give the
notice, he should do so as soon as possible after receipt of the instruction to
suspend, making reference to Sub-Clauses 8.9 and 20.1.
used elsewhere in the General Conditions. See the Table in this Guide at the end of the
commentary on Clause 3, and also the commentaries on Sub-Clauses 8.4 and 20.1.
The Contractor is not entitled to an extension of time for a delay, and/or to
payment of a Cost:
8.10 Payment for Plant and Materials in Event of Suspension
The Contractor shall be entitled to payment of the
value (as at the date of suspension) of Plant and/or
Materials which have not been delivered to Site, if:
(a) the work on Plant or delivery of Plant and/or
Materials has been suspended for more than
28 days, and
(b) the Contractor has marked the Plant and/or
Materials as the Employer’s property in
accordance with the Engineer’s instructions.
28 days, and
Materials as the Employer’s property in
accordance with the Engineer’s instructions.
28 days, and
Materials as the Employer's property in
accordance with the Employer's instructions.
CONS P&DB EPCT
YB 24.2; OB 8.9
For a suspension which is not due to the Contractor's shortcomings, he becomes
entitled to payment for any suspended Plant and Materials, after 28 days, if he
takes the necessary actions for them to become the Employer's property in
accordance with Sub-Clause 7.7(b). In some countries, the Laws may require
certain actions to be taken in order to make the items the property of the Employer.
When sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) apply, ownership passes from Contractor to
Employer under Sub-Clause 7.7. The applicable Laws may affect the Parties'
respective entitlements if:
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CONS P&DB EPCT
8.11 Prolonged Suspension
If the suspension under Sub-Clause 8.8
[ Suspension of Work ] has continued for more than
84 days, the Contractor may request the Engineer’s
permission to proceed. If the Engineer does not give
permission within 28 days after being requested to
do so, the Contractor may, by giving notice to the
Engineer, treat the suspension as an omission under
Clause 13 [ Variations and Adjustments ] of the
affected part of the Works. If the suspension affects
the whole of the Works, the Contractor may give
notice of termination under Sub-Clause 16.2
[ Termination by Contractor ].
84 days, the Contractor may request the Engineer’s
permission to proceed. If the Engineer does not give
permission within 28 days after being requested to
do so, the Contractor may, by giving notice to the
Engineer, treat the suspension as an omission under
Clause 13 [ Variations and Adjustments ] of the
affected part of the Works. If the suspension affects
the whole of the Works, the Contractor may give
notice of termination under Sub-Clause 16.2
[ Termination by Contractor ].
84 days, the Contractor may request the Employer’s
permission to proceed. If the Employer does not
give permission within 28 days after being
requested to do so, the Contractor may, by giving
notice to the Employer, treat the suspension as an
omission under Clause 13 [ Variations and
Adjustments ] of the affected part of the Works. If
the suspension affects the whole of the Works, the
Contractor may give notice of termination under
Sub-Clause 16.2 [ Termination by Contractor ].
RB 40.3; YB 24.3; OB 8.10
described, for which no time limit is specified. Under the applicable Laws, delay in
giving notice may be construed as waiving entitlements under this Sub-Clause.
If a twelve week suspension is not due to the Contractor's shortcomings, he may
request permission to proceed. If no permission is given, he may give notice as
- the Contractor is unable to comply with Sub-Clause 7.7, or
- the Employer fails to make payment and the Contract is terminated for
other reasons.
During the period of 28 days, the only entitlement to payment would be under
Clause 14, and therefore would depend upon the location and completeness of
the Plant and Materials: see Sub-Clause 14.5, for example. Sub-Clause 8.10
does not specify an immediate entitlement to payment, because the suspension
might only be a few days and might occur prior to payment becoming due
under Clause 14.
After the permission or instruction to proceed is
given, the Contractor and the Engineer shall jointly
examine the Works and the Plant and Materials
affected by the suspension. The Contractor shall
given, the Contractor and the Engineer shall jointly
examine the Works and the Plant and Materials
affected by the suspension. The Contractor shall
given, the Parties shall jointly examine the Works
and the Plant and Materials affected by the
suspension. The Contractor shall make good any
CONS P&DB EPCT
8.12 Resumption of Work
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The first sentence of Sub-Clause 8.9 entitles the Contractor to an extension of
time and payment in respect of these aspects of "resuming the work".
make good any deterioration or defect in or loss of
the Works or Plant or Materials, which has occurred
during the suspension.
make good any deterioration or defect in or loss of
the Works or Plant or Materials, which has occurred
during the suspension.
deterioration or defect in or loss of the Works or
Plant or Materials, which has occurred during the
suspension.
YB 24.4; OB 8.11
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The Contractor shall carry out the Tests on
Completion in accordance with this Clause and
Sub-Clause 7.4 [ Testing ], after providing the
documents in accordance with sub-paragraph (d) of
Sub-Clause 4.1 [ Contractor’s General Obligations ].
The Contractor shall give to the Engineer not less
than 21 days’ notice of the date after which the
Contractor will be ready to carry out each of the
Tests on Completion. Unless otherwise agreed,
Tests on Completion shall be carried out within 14
days after this date, on such day or days as the
Engineer shall instruct.
Sub-Clause 7.4 [ Testing ], after providing the
documents in accordance with Sub-Clause 5.6 [ As-
Built Documents ] and Sub-Clause 5.7 [ Operation
and Maintenance Manuals ].
The Contractor shall give to the Engineer not less
than 21 days' notice of the date after which the
Engineer shall instruct.
the Tests on Completion shall be carried out in the
following sequence:
(a) pre-commissioning tests, which shall include the
appropriate inspections and ("dry" or "cold")
functional tests to demonstrate that each item of
Plant can safely undertake the next stage, (b);
(b) commissioning tests, which shall include the
specified operational tests to demonstrate
that the Works or Section can be operated
safely and as specified, under all available
operating conditions; and
(c) trial operation, which shall demonstrate that
the Works or Section perform reliably and in
accordance with the Contract.
During trial operation, when the Works are operating
under stable conditions, the Contractor shall give
Sub-Clause 7.4, [ Testing ] after providing the
documents in accordance with Sub-Clause 5.6 [ As-
Built Documents ] and Sub-Clause 5.7 [ Operation
and Maintenance Manuals ].
The Contractor shall give to the Employer not less
than 21 days' notice of the date after which the
Employer shall instruct.
the Tests on Completion shall be carried out in the
following sequence:
(a) pre-commissioning tests, which shall include the
appropriate inspections and ("dry" or "cold")
functional tests to demonstrate that each item of
Plant can safely undertake the next stage, (b);
(b) commissioning tests, which shall include the
specified operational tests to demonstrate
that the Works or Section can be operated
safely and as specified, under all available
operating conditions; and
(c) trial operation, which shall demonstrate that
the Works or Section perform reliably and in
During trial operation, when the Works are operating
under stable conditions, the Contractor shall give
CONS P&DB EPCT
9.1 Contractor’s Obligations
Clause 9 Tests on Completion
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In considering the results of the Tests on
Completion, the Engineer shall make allowances for
the effect of any use of the Works by the Employer
on the performance or other characteristics of the
Works. As soon as the Works, or a Section, have
passed any Tests on Completion, the Contractor
shall submit a certified report of the results of these
Tests to the Engineer.
notice to the Engineer that the Works are ready for
any other Tests on Completion, including
performance tests to demonstrate whether the
Works conform with criteria specified in the
Employer's Requirements and with the Schedule of
Guarantees.
Trial operation shall not constitute a taking-over
under Clause 10 [ Employer's Taking Over ]. Unless
otherwise stated in the Particular Conditions, any
product produced by the Works during trial
operation shall be the property of the Employer.
Completion, the Engineer shall make allowances for
the effect of any use of the Works by the Employer
on the performance or other characteristics of the
Works. As soon as the Works, or a Section, have
passed each of the Tests on Completion described
in sub-paragraph (a), (b) or (c), the Contractor shall
submit a certified report of the results of these Tests
to the Engineer.
notice to the Employer that the Works are ready for
any other Tests on Completion, including
performance tests to demonstrate whether the
Works conform with criteria specified in the
Employer's Requirements and with the Performance
Guarantees.
Trial operation shall not constitute a taking-over
under Clause 10 [ Employer's Taking Over ]. Unless
otherwise stated in the Particular Conditions, any
product produced by the Works during trial
operation shall be the property of the Employer.
Completion, appropriate allowances shall be made
for the effect of any use of the Works by the
Employer on the performance or other
characteristics of the Works. As soon as the Works,
or a Section, have passed each of the Tests on
Completion described in sub-paragraph (a), (b) or
(c), the Contractor shall submit a certified report of
the results of these Tests to the Employer.
CONS P&DB EPCT
Tests on Completion need not cover every aspect necessary to define
completion. The passing of these Tests is only part of the criteria (as stipulated
in Sub-Clauses 8.2 and 10.1) which are required to be satisfied before taking
over. Note the applicability of Sub-Clause 7.4 to these tests.
Under P&DB/EPCT, the Employer's Requirements may need to include
particular requirements for the report specified in the last sentence of Sub-
Clause 9.1. The Tests on Completion might include a combination of electrical,
hydraulic and mechanical tests, with the Works being operated continuously
to determine their reliable output and efficiency. Specification of these
performance tests may be made more difficult by the Employer's
Requirements having to be written before the details of the Works are known,
and possibly some years before the Tests will be carried out. However,
inadequate specification could give rise to dispute as to whether completion of
The Tests on Completion are the tests which are required by the Employer in order
to determine whether the Works (or a Section, if any) have reached the stage at
which the Employer should take over the Works or Section. Tests on Completion
must be specified in detail in the Contract: in CONS' Specification, in P&DB's
Employer's Requirements and (possibly) Contractor's Proposal, and in EPCT's
Employer's Requirements and (possibly) the Tender. Under P&DB or EPCT, these
Tests would normally include some performance tests, in order to determine
whether the Works or Section comply with specified performance criteria.
Typically, Tests on Completion are specified in the Contract to a considerable
extent of detail. Therefore, the report required by the last sentence of the Sub-
Clause is usually necessary. Clause 9 is intended to be applicable to any type of
tests which the Contractor is required to carry out at completion, before the
taking-over procedures described in Clause 10.
YB 28; OB 9.1
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If the Tests on Completion are being unduly
delayed by the Employer, Sub-Clause 7.4
[ Testing ] (fifth paragraph) and/or Sub-Clause 10.3
[ Interference with Tests on Completion ] shall be
applicable.
If the Tests on Completion are being unduly delayed
by the Contractor, the Engineer may by notice
require the Contractor to carry out the Tests within
21 days after receiving the notice. The Contractor
shall carry out the Tests on such day or days within
that period as the Contractor may fix and of which
he shall give notice to the Engineer.
If the Contractor fails to carry out the Tests on
Completion within the period of 21 days, the
Employer's Personnel may proceed with the Tests
at the risk and cost of the Contractor. The Tests on
Completion shall then be deemed to have been
carried out in the presence of the Contractor and
the results of the Tests shall be accepted as
accurate.
applicable.
by the Contractor, the Engineer may by notice
he shall give notice to the Engineer.
at the risk and cost of the Contractor. The Tests on
Completion shall then be deemed to have been
accurate.
applicable.
by the Contractor, the Employer may by notice
he shall give notice to the Employer
at the risk and cost of the Contractor. These Tests
on Completion shall then be deemed to have been
accurate.
the Works has been achieved. Typically, the provisions might have to take account
of the quality and availability of feedstock and other materials, the quality and
production rates of the output (product) and of by-products (including treatment
and disposal of effluent), and efficiency in the use of power, materials and other
resources.
The Contractor may act in advance of substantial completion, and often he would
need to do so. He is required to give three weeks' notice of the date when he will
be ready to carry out the Tests on Completion. He then carries out the Tests in
accordance with Sub-Clauses 7.4 and 9.1, at the agreed times. Unless otherwise
agreed, the Tests on Completion are to be carried out (within the period of 14
days) on such days as have been instructed. If no such instruction is given, the
first paragraph of Sub-Clause 9.2 becomes applicable.
The Sub-Clause makes no specific mention of the possible addition of tests not
provided for in the Contract, because Tests on Completion are defined in Sub-
Clause 1.1.3.4 as including additional tests instructed as Variations. It is advisable
to seek prior agreement of the consequences of each Variation.
CONS P&DB EPCT
9.2 Delayed Tests
YB 28.3; OB 9.2
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Contractor should first be given the opportunity to rectify his default, in
accordance with the second paragraph of the Sub-Clause. If Tests on
Completion are thereafter carried out by the Employer's Personnel, the
Contractor is required to accept the results of the Tests, although he is not
entitled to receive a report.
Employer's Personnel are not obliged to carry out these Tests, and may consider
that it would be unwise to do so.
If the Works, or a Section, fail to pass the Tests on
Completion, Sub-Clause 7.5 [ Rejection ] shall apply,
and the Engineer or the Contractor may require the
failed Tests, and Tests on Completion on any related
work, to be repeated under the same terms and
conditions.
and the Engineer or the Contractor may require the
conditions.
and the Employer or the Contractor may require the
conditions.
If the Tests on Completion are delayed by the Employer, the immediate effect is
the applicability of Sub-Clause 7.4. If the delay is excessive, Sub-Clause 10.3
becomes applicable, which entitles the Contractor to compensation for carrying
out Tests on Completion during the Defects Notification Period.
It is unusual for the Tests on Completion to be delayed by the Contractor. In that
event, the Employer's Personnel may, after notice has been given in accordance
with this Sub-Clause, make their own arrangements to carry out the Tests. The
CONS P&DB EPCT
YB 28.5; OB 9.3
9.3 Retesting
If tests are repeated after the cause of previous failures has been remedied, and
it seems likely that other (related) work may have been affected by the remedial
work, that other work may therefore need to be retested.
9.4 Failure to Pass Tests on Completion
CONS P&DB EPCT
Completion repeated under Sub-Clause 9.3
[ Retesting ], the Engineer shall be entitled to:
(a) order further repetition of Tests on
Completion under Sub-Clause 9.3;
(b) if the failure deprives the Employer of
substantially the whole benefit of the Works
or Section, reject the Works or Section (as
[ Retesting ], the Engineer shall be entitled to:
[ Retesting ], the Employer shall be entitled to:
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the case may be), in which event the
Employer shall have the same remedies as
are provided in sub-paragraph (c) of Sub-
Clause 11.4 [ Failure to Remedy Defects ]; or
(c) issue a Taking-Over Certificate, if the
Employer so requests.
In the event of sub-paragraph (c), the Contractor
shall proceed in accordance with all other
obligations under the Contract, and the Contract
Price shall be reduced by such amount as shall be
appropriate to cover the reduced value to the
Employer as a result of this failure. Unless the
relevant reduction for this failure is stated (or its
method of calculation is defined) in the Contract, the
Employer may require the reduction to be (i) agreed
by both Parties (in full satisfaction of this failure only)
and paid before this Taking-Over Certificate is
issued, or (ii) determined and paid under Sub-
Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s Claims ] and Sub-
Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ].
(c) issue a Taking-Over Certificate, if the
Employer so requests.
(c) issue a Taking-Over Certificate.
CONS P&DB EPCT
There is no limit on the number of repetitions which may be ordered, because
(after any Test) it may appear that only minor remedial work will be required to
overcome the apparent reasons for the failure.
If the Contractor cannot carry out the remedial work, the Employer may apply
Clause 15 or seek agreement to a reduction in the Contract Price. Typically, he
might first indicate the reduction he would require, and seek the Contractor's
agreement prior to the issue of a Taking-Over Certificate. If agreement cannot be
reached prior to the issue of the Taking-Over Certificate under sub-paragraph (c),
then sub-paragraph (a) or (b) could be applied.
Under P&DB or EPCT, because this Sub-Clause gives no indication that the Test
is deemed to have been passed, no Retention Money would be released under
Sub-Clause 14.9. If the whole of the Works failed the Test, the first half of
Retention Money might then not be due for release until the same time as the
second half of the Retention Money, namely when the Defects Notification Period
expires. Sub-Clause 9.4 does not contain all the provisions of P&DB/EPCT 12.4,
under which the Contractor may be entitled to decide whether to remedy the
defect or simply to compensate the Employer for the failure.
When preparing the tender documents under P&DB or EPCT, the Employer may
wish to consider incorporating (in the Particular Conditions), in respect of a failure
to pass the Tests on Completion, provisions which:
- permit a Taking-Over Certificate to be issued as described in Sub-Clause 9.4(c),
followed by repetition under Clause 12 of the failed Tests on Completion; or
- are similar to those in Sub-Clause 12.4 but are applicable to the Tests on
Completion, assuming that there are to be no Tests after Completion.
YB 28.7; OB 9.4
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Except as stated in Sub-Clause 9.4 [ Failure to Pass
Tests on Completion ], the Works shall be taken
over by the Employer when (i) the Works have been
completed in accordance with the Contract,
including the matters described in Sub-Clause 8.2
[ Time for Completion ] and except as allowed in
sub-paragraph (a) below, and (ii) a Taking-Over
Certificate for the Works has been issued, or is
deemed to have been issued in accordance with
this Sub-Clause.
The Contractor may apply by notice to the Engineer
for a Taking-Over Certificate not earlier than 14 days
before the Works will, in the Contractor's opinion,
be complete and ready for taking over. If the Works
are divided into Sections, the Contractor may
similarly apply for a Taking-Over Certificate for each
Section.
The Engineer shall, within 28 days after receiving the
Contractor's application:
(a) issue the Taking-Over Certificate to the
Contractor, stating the date on which the
Works or Section were completed in
accordance with the Contract, except for any
minor outstanding work and defects which
will not substantially affect the use of the
Works or Section for their intended purpose
(either until or whilst this work is completed
and these defects are remedied); or
(b) reject the application, giving reasons and
specifying the work required to be done by
the Contractor to enable the Taking-Over
completed in accordance with the Contract,
this Sub-Clause.
The Contractor may apply by notice to the Engineer
for a Taking-Over Certificate not earlier than 14 days
before the Works will, in the Contractor's opinion,
be complete and ready for taking over. If the Works
are divided into Sections, the Contractor may
similarly apply for a Taking-Over Certificate for each
Section.
The Engineer shall, within 28 days after receiving the
Contractor's application:
completed inaccordance with the Contract,
this Sub-Clause.
The Contractor may apply by notice to the
Employer for a Taking-Over Certificate not earlier
than 14 days before the Works will, in the
Contractor's opinion, be complete and ready for
taking over. If the Works are divided into Sections,
the Contractor may similarly apply for a Taking-Over
Certificate for each Section.
The Employer shall, within 28 days after receiving
the Contractor's application:
CONS P&DB EPCT
10.1 Taking Over of the Works and Sections
Clause 10 Employer’s Taking Over
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Certificate to be issued. The Contractor shall
then complete this work before issuing a
further notice under this Sub-Clause.
If the Engineer fails either to issue the Taking-Over
Certificate or to reject the Contractor’s application
with the period of 28 days, and if the Works or
Section (as the case may be) are substantially in
accordance with the Contract, the Taking-Over
Certificate shall be deemed to have been issued on
the last day of that period.
If the Engineer fails either to issue the Taking-Over
Certificate or to reject the Contractor’s application
with the period of 28 days, and if the Works or
If the Employer fails either to issue the Taking-Over
Certificate or to reject the Contractor's application
within the period of 28 days, and if the Works or
CONS P&DB EPCT
The Employer is required to take over the Works (or a Section, if any) when they
are completed in accordance with the Contract including the matters described in
Sub-Clause 8.2:
(a) "achieving the passing of the Tests on Completion" (Sub-Clause 8.2(a)),
and
(b) "completing all work which is stated in the Contract as being required for
the Works or Section to be considered to be completed for the purposes
of taking-over under Sub-Clause 10.1" (Sub-Clause 8.2(b): including the
"work which is stated in the Contract" at CONS 4.1(d) or P&DB/EPCT 5.5,
5.6 and 5.7),
but excluding:
(c) "any minor outstanding work and defects which will not substantially affect
the use of the Works or Section for their intended purpose (either until or
whilst this work is completed and these defects are remedied);" (Sub-
Clause 10.1(a))
Under CONS/P&DB, if the Employer wishes to take over and operate the Works
before the "work which is stated in the Contract" (in CONS 4.1(d) or P&DB 5.5,
5.6 and 5.7) is complete, the first sentence of CONS/P&DB 10.2 provides him
with an appropriate procedure.
The Employer has no right to use the Works if the Contractor has failed to
complete them in accordance with the Contract, except after termination. If the
Works appear to be complete (except for minor outstanding work that does not
affect the use of the Works) but fail the Tests on Completion, Sub-Clause 9.4 may
be applied.
Under the second paragraph of Sub-Clause 10.1, the Contractor applies for the
Taking-Over Certificate by written notice. The Contractor may (and in his own
interests should) anticipate completion by giving notice up to 14 days in advance
of his expected completion date. This early notice allows the Employer additional
time to effect insurance, if he wishes to do so, and also allows time for the
Employer's Personnel to make any other arrangements necessary for effecting the
taking over.
CONS/P&DB 1.3 requires the Contractor to send copies of his notices to the
Employer, and requires the Engineer to send copies of Taking-Over Certificates to
the Employer.
It may be desirable for there to be a joint inspection of the Works or Section when
they appear to be complete, attended by representatives of the Parties, and by
the Engineer under CONS or P&DB. This inspection will be followed by the action
stated in Sub-Clause 10.1, (a) or (b). The Contractor should have been aware of
which action was to be taken, by reason of his representative having participated
in the inspection. The Taking-Over Certificate may be in the form of a letter:
Sample Form of Taking-Over Certificate for the Works
Having received your notice under Sub-Clause 10.1 of the Conditions of Contract,
RB 48.1 & 48.2; YB 29.1 & 29.2; OB 10.1
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we hereby certify that the following Section of the Works was completed in
accordance with the Contract on the date stated below, except for minor
outstanding work and defects [which include those listed in the attached
Snagging List and] which should not substantially affect the use of such Section
for its intended purpose:
[name or description of the Section; and state the completion date]
The Engineer may, at the sole discretion of the
Employer, issue a Taking-Over Certificate for any
part of the Permanent Works.
The Employer shall not use any part of the Works
(other than as a temporary measure which is either
specified in the Contract or agreed by both Parties)
unless and until the Engineer has issued a Taking-
Over Certificate for this part. However, if the
Employer does use any part of the Works before the
Taking-Over Certificate is issued:
(a) the part which is used shall be deemed to
have been taken over as from the date on
which it is used,
(b) the Contractor shall cease to be liable for the
care of such part as from this date, when
responsibility shall pass to the Employer, and
(c) if requested by the Contractor, the Engineer
shall issue a Taking-Over Certificate for this
part.
After the Engineer has issued a Taking-Over
Certificate for a part of the Works, the Contractor
shall be given the earliest opportunity to take such
steps as may be necessary to carry out any
outstanding Tests on Completion. The Contractor
The Engineer may, at the sole discretion of the
Employer, issue a Taking-Over Certificate for any
part of the Permanent Works.
The Employer shall not use any part of the Works
(other than as a temporary measure which is either
specified in the Contract or agreed by both Parties)
unless and until the Engineer has issued a Taking-
Over Certificate for this part. However, if the
Employer does use any part of the Works before the
Taking-Over Certificate is issued:
(a) the part which is used shall be deemed to
have been taken over as from the date on
which it is used,
(b) the Contractor shall cease to be liable for the
care of such part as from this date, when
responsibility shall pass to the Employer, and
(c) if requested by the Contractor, the Engineer
shall issue a Taking-Over Certificate for this
part.
After the Engineer has issued a Taking-Over
Certificate for a part of the Works, the Contractor
shall be given the earliest opportunity to take such
steps as may be necessary to carry out any
outstanding Tests on Completion. The Contractor
Parts of the Works (other than Sections) shall not be
taken over or used by the Employer, except as may
be stated in the Contract or as may be agreed by
both Parties.
we hereby certify that the Works were completed in accordance with the Contract
on … [date], except for minor outstanding work and defects [which include those
listed in the attached Snagging List and] which should not substantially affect the
use of the Works for their intended purpose.
Sample Form of Taking-Over Certificate for a Section
Having received your notice under Sub-Clause 10.1 of the Conditions of Contract,
CONS P&DB EPCT
10.2 Taking Over of Parts of the Works
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shall carry out these Tests on Completion as soon
as practicable before the expiry date of the relevant
Defects Notification Period.
If the Contractor incurs Cost as a result of the
Employer taking over and/or using a part of the
Works, other than such use as is specified in the
Contract or agreed by the Contractor, the
Contractor shall (i) give notice to the Engineer and
(ii) be entitled subject to Sub-Clause 20.1
[ Contractor's Claims ] to payment of any such Cost
plus reasonable profit, which shall be included in the
Contract Price. After receiving this notice, the
Engineer shall proceed in accordance with Sub-
Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ] to agree or determine
this Cost and profit.
If a Taking-Over Certificate has been issued for a
part of the Works (other than a Section), the delay
damages thereafter for completion of the remainder
of the Works shall be reduced. Similarly, the delay
damages for the remainder of the Section (if any) in
which this part is included shall also be reduced.
For any period of delay after the date stated in this
Taking-Over Certificate, the proportional reduction in
these delay damages shall be calculated as the
proportion which the value of the part so certified
bears to the value of the Works or Section (as the
case may be) as a whole. The Engineer shall
proportions. The provisions of this paragraph shall
only apply to the daily rate of delay damages
under Sub-Clause 8.7 [ Delay Damages ], and shall
not affect the maximum amount of these
damages.
shall carry out these Tests on Completion as soon
as practicable before the expiry date of the relevant
Defects Notification Period.
If the Contractor incurs Cost as a result of the
Employer taking over and/or using a part of the
Works, other than such use as is specified in the
Contract or agreed by the Contractor, the
Contract Price. After receiving this notice, the
this Cost and profit.
If a Taking-Over Certificate has been issued for a
part of the Works (other than a Section), the delay
damages thereafter for completion of the remainder
of the Works shall be reduced. Similarly, the delay
damages for the remainder of the Section (if any) in
which this part is included shall also be reduced.
For any period of delay after the date stated in this
Taking-Over Certificate, the proportional reduction in
these delay damages shall be calculated as the
proportion which the value of the part so certified
bears to the value of the Works or Section (as the
case may be) as a whole. The Engineer shall
proportions. The provisions of this paragraph shall
only apply to the daily rate of delay damages
under Sub-Clause 8.7 [ Delay Damages ], and shall
not affect the maximum amount of these
damages.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 47.2, 48.2 & 48.3; YB 29.3; OB 10.2
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not to be subject to assessment by someone appointed by the payee.
Under the penultimate paragraph, the Contractor is entitled to recover any
reasonable additional Cost incurred due to the Employer taking over part of the
Works. No mention is made of any entitlement to extension of the Time for
Completion for the Works or any Section, because it is covered by Sub-Clause
8.4(e). Also, no mention is made of extension of time for completion of the part
itself, because it has been completed and because there is no "time for
completion" for parts of the Works.
The Taking-Over Certificate may be in the form of a letter to the Contractor, with
a copy sent to the Employer:
Sample Form of Taking-Over Certificate for Parts of the Works (CONS or P&DB)
We hereby certify, in the terms of Sub-Clause 10.2 of the Conditions of Contract,
that the following parts of the Works were completed in accordance with the
Contract on the dates stated below, except for minor outstanding work and
defects [which include those listed in the attached Snagging List]:
[description of each part taken over; and state its completion date]
Under EPCT, the Employer may only take over the whole of the Works, or
Sections defined in the Contract. Any attempt to take over any other part of the
Works would normally entitle the Contractor to relief due to the breach of EPCT
10.2 (and probably of EPCT 2.1 also). Therefore, "use or occupation by the
Employer" of such a part is not mentioned in EPCT 17.3. The remaining
comments on this Sub-Clause apply to CONS and P&DB only.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Employer grants the Contractor possession of the Site
in accordance with Sub-Clause 2.1. Taking over a part of the Works brings
possession to an end. If the Employer expected to take over any part of the
Works, it should have been defined, in the Appendix to Tender, as a Section. Sub-
Clause 10.2 covers the possibility that the Employer may later decide to take over
a part of the Works other than a Section, before completion of the other parts.
The Employer must first arrange for the issue of a Taking-Over Certificate for the part,
recognising that it will reduce his entitlement to delay damages under Sub-Clause
8.7. In some countries, it might prejudice his entire entitlement, because the reduction
is to be determined by his appointed Engineer, pro rata to the value of the part. The
Laws of some countries require liquidated delay damages to be predetermined, and
If the Contractor is prevented, for more than
14 days, from carrying out the Tests on Completion
by a cause for which the Employer is responsible,
the Employer shall be deemed to have taken over
the Works or Section (as the case may be) on the
date when the Tests on Completion would
otherwise have been completed.
The Engineer shall then issue a Taking-Over
Certificate accordingly, and the Contractor shall
carry out the Tests on Completion as soon as
practicable, before the expiry date of the Defects
Notification Period. The Engineer shall require the
Tests on Completion to be carried out by giving 14
days’ notice and in accordance with the relevant
the Employer shall be deemed to have taken over
the Works or Section (as the case may be) on the
date when the Tests on Completion would
otherwise have been completed.
The Engineer shall then issue a Taking-Over
Certificate accordingly, and the Contractor shall
carry out the Tests on Completion as soon as
practicable, before the expiry date of the Defects
Notification Period. The Engineer shall require the
Tests on Completion to be carried out by giving 14
days’ notice and in accordance with the relevant
the Contractor shall carry out the Tests on
Completion as soon as practicable.
CONS P&DB EPCT
10.3 Interference with Tests on Completion
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a result of this delay in carrying out the Tests on
Completion, the Contractor shall give notice to the
Completion ], and
Price.
matters.
Completion ], and
Price.
matters.
Employer and shall be entitled subject to Sub-
Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's Claims ] to:
Completion ], and
Price.
After receiving this notice, the Employer shall
matters.
Typically, the Tests on Completion are the events which immediately precede
completion and taking over. It is therefore reasonable that, if such Tests (and thus
taking over) are prevented by the Employer, he nevertheless becomes responsible
for the relevant Works or Section: not just the part.
Under EPCT, this is considered less likely to happen. When it does, a deemed
taking-over may be in neither Party's interests.
Under CONS or P&DB, this deemed taking over will apply to the scope of the
prevented Tests; i.e., to the Works or Section, whichever would otherwise have
been taken over when the prevented Tests had been passed. Even if the
prevented Tests were limited to those which should have been carried out on a
Section, they may result in a deemed taking over of the Works, depending upon
the relevant circumstances.
If the Contractor suffers delay or incurs Cost, he gives notice under the third
paragraph. CONS/P&DB 1.3 requires the Contractor to send a copy of the notice
to the Employer.
8.4 and 20.1.
CONS P&DB EPCT
YB 29.4; OB 10.3
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Except as otherwise stated in a Taking-Over
Certificate, a certificate for a Section or part of the
Works shall not be deemed to certify completion of
any ground or other surfaces requiring
reinstatement.
Except as otherwise stated in a Taking-Over
Certificate, a certificate for a Section or part of the
Works shall not be deemed to certify completion of
any ground or other surfaces requiring
reinstatement.
(No EPCT Sub-Clause)
Under EPCT, it is envisaged that surfaces will be reinstated before taking over. If
this is not the case, details should be included in the Taking-Over Certificate.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 48.4
10.4 Surfaces Requiring Reinstatement
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In order that the Works and Contractor's
Documents, and each Section, shall be in the
condition required by the Contract (fair wear and
tear excepted) by the expiry date of the relevant
Defects Notification Period or as soon as
practicable thereafter, the Contractor shall:
(a) complete any work which is outstanding on
the date stated in a Taking-Over Certificate,
within such reasonable time as is instructed
by the Engineer, and
(b) execute all work required to remedy defects
or damage, as may be notified by (or on
behalf of) the Employer on or before the
expiry date of the Defects Notification Period
for the Works or Section (as the case may
be).
If a defect appears or damage occurs, the
Contractor shall be notified accordingly, by (or on
behalf of) the Employer.
by the Engineer, and
or damage, as may be notified by (or on
behalf of) the Employer on or before the
expiry date of the Defects Notification Period
for the Works or Section (as the case may
be).
If a defect appears or damage occurs, the
Contractor shall be notified accordingly, by (or on
behalf of) the Employer.
by the Employer, and
or damage, as may be notified by the
Employer on or before the expiry date of the
Defects Notification Period for the Works or
Section (as the case may be).
If a defect appears or damage occurs, the Employer
shall notify the Contractor accordingly.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 49.2; YB 30.2 & 30.3; OB 12.1
11.1 Completion of Outstanding Work and Remedying Defects
In some other published forms of contract, the period after completion was given
a name which gave an incorrect implication of the Contractor's responsibilities.
The expression "Defects Notification Period" recognises the aspect which will
seem administratively most significant, namely the notification of defects under
this Sub-Clause. Note that the Sub-Clause refers to the Contractor's Documents,
which (unlike Sections) do not form part of the Works.
Under Sub-Clause 10.1, the Contractor is entitled to a Taking-Over Certificate
notwithstanding that some work may still be incomplete. Under Sub-Clause
11.1(a), the Contractor is required to complete this outstanding work within an
instructed time which must be reasonable. If no reasonable time is so instructed,
this work must be completed "by the expiry date of the relevant Defects
Notification Period" or (if that was impractical) as soon as practicable thereafter.
Under Sub-Clause 11.1(b), the Contractor is required to remedy defects or
damage which have been notified by the Employer, or (on his behalf) by the
Engineer under CONS or P&DB. Although these notices should be issued
whenever a defect appears or damage occurs, as stated in the last sentence of
the Sub-Clause, it is desirable for there to be a joint inspection of the Works or
Section. Such inspection should be conducted a few days before the expiry of the
Clause 11 Defects Liability
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Sub-Clause 11.7. The Employer should not remedy the defects or damage
himself, unless and until he is entitled to do so under Sub-Clause 11.4.
If the Employer refrains from notifying a defect or damage, because he prefers
to remedy himself and then recover the reasonable cost of so doing from the
Contractor, the Employer will be in breach of the last sentence of Sub-Clause
11.1. However, the Employer may (under the applicable Laws) be entitled to
do so in some circumstances, such as having demonstrable grounds for
believing that the Contractor would fail to carry out the work with the necessary
skill and care.
All work referred to in sub-paragraph (b) of Sub-
Remedying Defects ] shall be executed at the risk
and cost of the Contractor, if and to the extent that
the work is attributable to:
(a) any design for which the Contractor is
responsible,
(b) Plant, Materials or workmanship not being in
accordance with the Contract, or
(c) failure by the Contractor to comply with any
other obligation.
If and to the extent that such work is attributable to
any other cause, the Contractor shall be notified
promptly by (or on behalf of) the Employer, and
Sub-Clause 13.3 [ Variation Procedure ] shall apply.
(a) the design of the Works, other than a part of
the design for which the Employer is
responsible (if any),
(c) improper operation or maintenance which
was attributable to matters for which the
Contractor is responsible (under Sub-Clauses
5.5 to 5.7 or otherwise), or
(d) failure by the Contractor to comply with any
other obligation.
any other cause, the Contractor shall be notified
promptly by (or on behalf of) the Employer, and
Sub-Clause 13.3 [ Variation Procedure ] shall apply.
(a) the design of the Works,
(c) improper operation or maintenance which
was attributable to matters for which the
Contractor is responsible (under Sub-Clauses
5.5 to 5.7 or otherwise), or
(d) failure by the Contractor to comply with any
other obligation.
any other cause, the Employer shall give notice to
the Contractor accordingly, and Sub-Clause 13.3
[ Variation Procedure ] shall apply.
Defect Notification Period, and should be attended by representatives of the
Parties, and by the Engineer under CONS or P&DB. This inspection will be
followed by the formal notice under Sub-Clause 11.1(b), although the Contractor
should have been aware of the notified defects or damage by reason of his
representatives having been present at the inspection. The notice should describe
the defects or damage, but does not need to specify how they should be
remedied.
Having been notified under Sub-Clause 11.1(b), the Contractor is both obliged
and entitled to carry out the remedial work, including to the right of access under
CONS P&DB EPCT
11.2 Cost of Remedying Defects
RB 49.3; YB 30.2 & 30.9; OB 12.2
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The Contractor is only entitled to be notified if the necessity for the work is
"attributable to any other cause", in which case Sub-Clause 13.3 shall apply. If the
cause is not set out in a notice, the Contractor will not directly be entitled to
additional payment.
If the Contractor receives notice of remedial work being required under sub-
paragraph (b) of Sub-Clause 11.1, he must carry out such work, or Sub-Clause
11.4 will apply. If he considers that none of the sub-paragraphs of Sub-Clause
11.2 applies and that he is therefore entitled to be paid for remedying a defect or
damage, he should promptly respond to the notice (as well as complying with it)
by giving notice and detailed particulars of his claim in accordance with the
procedure specified in Sub-Clause 20.1.
The Employer shall be entitled subject to Sub-
Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s Claims ] to an extension of
the Defects Notification Period for the Works or a
Section if and to the extent that the Works, Section
or a major item of Plant (as the case may be, and
after taking over) cannot be used for the purposes
for which they are intended by reason of a defect or
damage. However, a Defects Notification Period
shall not be extended by more than two years.
If delivery and/or erection of Plant and/or Materials
was suspended under Sub-Clause 8.8 [ Suspension
of Work ] or Sub-Clause 16.1 [ Contractor’s
Entitlement to Suspend Work ], the Contractor’s
obligations under this Clause shall not apply to any
defects or damage occurring more than two years
after the Defects Notification Period for the Plant
and/or Materials would otherwise have expired.
CONS P&DB EPCT
YB 30.4; OB 12.3
11.3 Extension of Defects Notification Period
or damage. It may have occurred before or after taking over, and may (or may not)
have been due to the Contractor's shortcomings. If the Contractor is not
responsible for the defect or damage, the remedial work would constitute a
Variation and entitle the Contractor to additional payment, including compensation
for the extension to the Defects Notification Period (unless the Employer waives
his entitlement to the extension).
If a defect prevents the Works, Section or a major item of Plant being operated for
a certain number of days, the Employer is entitled (subject to Sub-Clause 2.5) to
require the Defects Notification Period to be extended by that number of days.
Some defects might not prevent any Section or item of Plant from being used for
their intended purpose(s).
Sub-Clause 11.3 applies whenever works cannot be used by reason of a defect
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If the Contractor fails to remedy any defect or damage
within a reasonable time, a date may be fixed by (or
on behalf of) the Employer, on or by which the defect
or damage is to be remedied. The Contractor shall
be given reasonable notice of this date.
If the Contractor fails to remedy the defect or
damage by this notified date and this remedial work
was to be executed at the cost of the Contractor
under Sub-Clause 11.2 [ Cost of Remedying
Defects ], the Employer may (at his option):
(a) carry out the work himself or by others, in a
reasonable manner and at the Contractor’s
cost, but the Contractor shall have no
responsibility for this work; and the
Contractor shall subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 [
Employer’s Claims ] pay to the Employer the
costs reasonably incurred by the Employer in
remedying the defect or damage;
(b) require the Engineer to agree or determine a
reasonable reduction in the Contract Price in
accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5
[ Determinations ]; or
(c) if the defect or damage deprives the
Employer of substantially the whole benefit
of the Works or any major part of the Works,
terminate the Contract as a whole, or in
respect of such major part which cannot be
put to the intended use. Without prejudice
to any other rights, under the Contract or
otherwise, the Employer shall then be
entitled to recover all sums paid for the
Works or for such part (as the case may be),
plus financing costs and the cost of
dismantling the same, clearing the Site and
reasonable manner and at the Contractor’s
Contractor shall subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 [
Employer’s Claims ] pay to the Employer the
(b) require the Engineer to agree or determine a
reasonable reduction in the Contract Price in
[ Determinations ]; or
reasonable manner and at the Contractor's
Contractor shall subject to Sub-Clause 2.5
[ Employer's Claims ] pay to the Employer the
(b) agree or determine a reasonable reduction in
the Contract Price in accordance with Sub-
Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ]; or
CONS P&DB EPCT
11.4 Failure to Remedy Defects
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What constitutes "reasonable", for the Contractor's remedial work and for the
period prescribed by the notice, must depend on such factors as the proximity of
the Site to the Contractor's Equipment and Personnel (who may have left the
Country), the delivery periods for replacement Plant, and the operational status of
the Works.
The first sentence applies even if the Contractor would have been entitled to be
paid for the remedial work. In such a case, the Employer may be entitled to
recover the difference (if any) between the amount to which the Contractor would
have been entitled and the reasonable cost incurred by the Employer when
carrying out the work himself or by others.
The Sub-Clause is only applicable if the Contractor "fails" to carry out the remedial
work, and therefore does not apply if and to the extent that the Contractor has
been prevented from so doing by the Employer's failure to grant right of access
under Sub-Clause 11.7.
When giving the described notice, the Employer may (but is not bound to) indicate
which of the sub-paragraphs will be applied.
If sub-paragraph (a) applies, the Employer should take account of any progress in
manufacturing replacements, which the Contractor might be willing to supply but
might find it difficult to install. The work is carried out at the Contractor's cost, but
the Employer is responsible for the performance of the rectification. Therefore, the
Employer's best interests lie in persuading the Contractor to remedy the defect or
damage, in order to avoid dispute as to whether any element of under-
performance of the Works is due to the Employer's own rectification works.
Sub-paragraph (c) describes a situation which is most unlikely to occur, namely
when the defect or damage is so serious (and, presumably, irremediable) that
the Employer cannot use and benefit from the whole, or major parts of, the
Works. The Employer should seek legal advice before invoking this sub-
paragraph.
If the defect or damage cannot be remedied
expeditiously on the Site and the Employer gives
consent, the Contractor may remove from the Site
for the purposes of repair such items of Plant as are
defective or damaged. This consent may require the
Contractor to increase the amount of the
Performance Security by the full replacement cost of
these items, or to provide other appropriate security.
CONS P&DB EPCT
YB 30.6; OB 12.5
11.5 Removal of Defective Work
RB 49.4; YB 30.5; OB 12.4
returning Plant and Materials to the
Contractor.
Contractor.
Contractor
CONS P&DB EPCT
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Contractor's option) to provide another form of security. If the Contractor prefers
to provide another security, the Employer is entitled to require it to cover the
replacement cost of the items removed from the Site, and to be able to call the
security under conditions as onerous as those described in the Performance
Security.
It may be necessary (for technical reasons) for the necessary remedial work to be
carried out off the Site. If consent is sought under this Sub-Clause, the Employer
may impose reasonable conditions for the consent, but must not withhold it
unreasonably (Sub-Clause 1.3). In particular, the Employer may require the
Contractor either to increase the amount of the Performance Security or (at the
CONS P&DB EPCT
11.6 Further Tests
If the work of remedying of any defect or damage
may affect the performance of the Works, the
Engineer may require the repetition of any of the
tests described in the Contract. The requirement
shall be made by notice within 28 days after the
defect or damage is remedied.
These tests shall be carried out in accordance with
the terms applicable to the previous tests, except
that they shall be carried out at the risk and cost of
the Party liable, under Sub-Clause 11.2 [ Cost of
Remedying Defects ], for the cost of the remedial
work.
Engineer may require the repetition of any of the
tests described in the Contract, including Tests on
Completion and/or Tests after Completion. The
requirement shall be made by notice within 28 days
after the defect or damage is remedied.
work.
Employer may require the repetition of any of the
tests described in the Contract, including Tests on
Completion and/or Tests after Completion. The
requirement shall be made by notice within 28 days
after the defect or damage is remedied.
work.
YB 30.7; OB 12.6
If repetition of tests is instructed, the Contractor must carry out such work. If
he considers that none of the sub-paragraphs of Sub-Clause 11.2 applies and
that he is therefore entitled to be paid for repeating a test, he should promptly
respond to (and comply with) the instruction by giving notice and detailed
particulars of his claim in accordance with the procedure specified in Sub-
Clause 20.1.
Until the Performance Certificate has been issued,
the Contractor shall have such right of access to
the Works as is reasonably required in order to
the Contractor shall have the right of access to all
parts of the Works and to records of the operation
the Contractor shall have the right of access to all
parts of the Works and to records of the operation
CONS P&DB EPCT
11.7 Right of Access
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comply with this Clause, except as may be
inconsistent with the Employer’s reasonable security
restrictions.
and performance of the Works, except as may be
inconsistent with the Employer's reasonable
security restrictions.
and performance of the Works, except as may be
inconsistent with the Employer's reasonable
security restrictions.
CONS P&DB EPCT
YB 30.8; OB 12.7
The Employer must grant right of access for the Contractor to remedy defects
and damage, or Sub-Clause 11.4 may be inapplicable.
The technological development of certain types of Plant can only be maintained
by utilising feedback from operational records.
The Contractor shall, if required by the Engineer,
search for the cause of any defect, under the
direction of the Engineer. Unless the defect is to be
remedied at the cost of the Contractor under Sub-
Clause 11.2 [ Cost of Remedying Defects ], the
Cost of the search plus reasonable profit shall be
agreed or determined by the Engineer in
accordance with Sub-Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ]
and shall be included in the Contract Price.
The Contractor shall, if required by the Engineer,
direction of the Engineer. Unless the defect is to be
agreed or determined by the Engineer in
and shall be included in the Contract Price.
The Contractor shall, if required by the Employer,
direction of the Employer. Unless the defect is to be
agreed or determined in accordance with Sub-
Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ] and shall be added to
the Contract Price.
CONS P&DB EPCT
11.8 Contractor to Search
RB 50; YB 30.10; OB 12.8
If the defect is to be remedied at the cost of the Contractor, he should be
consulted regarding (or allowed to choose) the search methods which are
appropriate for finding the cause.
Performance of the Contractor’s obligations shall
not be considered to have been completed until the
Engineer has issued the Performance Certificate to
Performance of the Contractor’s obligations shall
Engineer has issued the Performance Certificate to
Performance of the Contractor's obligations shall
Employer has issued the Performance Certificate to
CONS P&DB EPCT
11.9 Performance Certificate
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the Contractor, stating the date on which the
Contractor completed his obligations under the
Contract.
The Engineer shall issue the Performance
Certificate within 28 days after the latest of the
expiry dates of the Defects Notification Periods, or
as soon thereafter as the Contractor has supplied
all the Contractor’s Documents and completed and
tested all the Works, including remedying any
defects. A copy of the Performance Certificate shall
be issued to the Employer.
Only the Performance Certificate shall be deemed
to constitute acceptance of the Works.
Contract.
The Engineer shall issue the Performance
all the Contractor’s Documents and completed and
defects. A copy of the Performance Certificate shall
be issued to the Employer.
Contract.
The Employer shall issue the Performance
all the Contractor's Documents and completed and
defects. If the Employer fails to issue the
Performance Certificate accordingly:
(a) the Performance Certificate shall be deemed
to have been issued on the date 28 days
after the date on which it should have been
issued, as required by this Sub-Clause, and
(b) Sub-Clause 11.11 [ Clearance of Site ] and
sub-paragraph (a) of Sub-Clause 14.14
[ Cessation of Employer's Liability ] shall be
inapplicable.
CONS P&DB EPCT
include further Contractor's Documents to be supplied, tests to be passed,
searches to be completed under Sub-Clause 11.8, and/or defects to be
remedied. Typically, it may not be possible for the Contractor to have remedied,
within these 28 days, all defects notified under Sub-Clause 11.1 during the last
few days of a Defects Notification Period.
Under EPCT, the Employer should ensure that the Performance Certificate is
issued within the specified period, so as to avoid Sub-Clause 11.11 and sub-
paragraph (a) of Sub-Clause 14.14 becoming inapplicable.
The Performance Certificate does not need to refer to anybody's opinion or
satisfaction, because of the terms of Sub-Clause 11.10. Certificates issued under
The Performance Certificate provides written confirmation that the Engineer
(under CONS or P&DB) or the Employer (under EPCT):
- considers that the Contractor has completed his performance of
obligations under the Contract, and
- accepts the Works.
The Performance Certificate should be issued within 28 days after the latest of the
expiry dates of the Defects Notification Periods (a phrase which takes account of
the effect of Sub-Clause 11.3 on different Periods), unless the Contractor is then
known to have outstanding obligations. For example, these obligations may
RB 61 & 62.1; YB 30.11; OB 12.9
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the Contract comprise statements describing facts which the signatory of the
certificate believes to be true, but which may of course not be wholly true. No
certificate issued under the Contract constitutes absolutely conclusive evidence of
the facts certified. The Performance Certificate may be in the form of a letter:
Sample Form of Performance Certificate
We hereby certify, in the terms of Sub-Clause 11.9 of the Conditions of Contract,
that the Contractor completed his obligations under the Contract on … [date]
At the time when the Performance Certificate is issued, each Party may have
outstanding obligation(s), and the Contract must therefore remain in force. The
Employer will probably not have made all the payments due under the Contract,
nor released the Performance Security. The Contractor may not have complied
with Sub-Clause 14.12, and/or it may subsequently be discovered that the Works
do not wholly comply with the Contract (because of latent defects for example).
Suppliers of Plant may feel it unfair that their liability does not expire at the time
when they are entitled to receive the Performance Certificate. Clearly, problems
may occur thereafter, particularly if the Plant has not been operated and/or
maintained in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions. No limitation on
the duration of liability is contained in the General Conditions, but such a limitation
may be prescribed by applicable Laws. See also Sub-Clause 17.6.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 62.2; YB 30.12, 33.11 & 39.3; OB 12.10
11.10 Unfulfilled Obligations
After the Performance Certificate has been issued,
each Party shall remain liable for the fulfilment of any
obligation which remains unperformed at that time.
For the purposes of determining the nature and
extent of unperformed obligations, the Contract
shall be deemed to remain in force.
Upon receiving the Performance Certificate, the
Contractor shall remove any remaining Contractor’s
Equipment, surplus material, wreckage, rubbish and
Temporary Works from the Site.
If all these items have not been removed within 28
days after the Employer receives a copy of the
Performance Certificate, the Employer may sell or
Contractor shall remove any remaining Contractor’s
days after the Employer receives a copy of the
Performance Certificate, the Employer may sell or
CONS P&DB EPCT
11.11 Clearance of Site
Contractor shall remove any remaining Contractor's
days after the Employer issues the Performance
Certificate, the Employer may sell or otherwise
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CONS P&DB EPCT
otherwise dispose of any remaining items. The
Employer shall be entitled to be paid the costs
incurred in connection with, or attributable to, such
sale or disposal and restoring the Site.
Any balance of the moneys from the sale shall be
paid to the Contractor. If these moneys are less
than the Employer’s costs, the Contractor shall pay
the outstanding balance to the Employer.
otherwise dispose of any remaining items. The
Employer shall be entitled to be paid the costs
incurred in connection with, or attributable to, such
sale or disposal and restoring the Site.
than the Employer’s costs, the Contractor shall pay
dispose of any remaining items. The Employer shall
be entitled to be paid the costs incurred in
connection with, or attributable to, such sale or
disposal and restoring the Site.
than the Employer's costs, the Contractor shall pay
Under EPCT 11.9, if the Employer fails to issue the Performance Certificate within
the specified period, Sub-Clause 11.11 is inapplicable.
Although it is not an obligation under this Sub-Clause, the Employer should give
reasonable notice to the Contractor of his intention to apply the last sentence of
this Sub-Clause. The notice should identify the items concerned, particularly in
view of the possibility that the Contractor may have no record of them having been
left on the Site.
OB 4.21
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The Works shall be measured, and valued for
payment, in accordance with this Clause.
Whenever the Engineer requires any part of the
Works to be measured, reasonable notice shall be
given to the Contractor’s Representative, who shall:
(a) promptly either attend or send another
qualified representative to assist the Engineer
in making the measurement, and
(b) supply any particulars requested by the
Engineer.
If the Contractor fails to attend or send a
representative, the measurement made by (or on
behalf of) the Engineer shall be accepted as accurate.
Except as otherwise stated in the Contract, wherever
any Permanent Works are to be measured from
records, these shall be prepared by the Engineer.
The Contractor shall, as and when requested, attend
to examine and agree the records with the Engineer,
and shall sign the same when agreed. If the
Contractor does not attend, the records shall be
accepted as accurate.
If the Contractor examines and disagrees the
records, and/or does not sign them as agreed, then
the Contractor shall give notice to the Engineer of
the respects in which the records are asserted to be
Clause 12 is based upon the principle that the Works are to be valued by
measuring the quantity of each item of work under Sub-Clause 12.2, and
applying the appropriate rate per unit quantity or the appropriate lump-sum
price under Sub-Clause 12.3. Alternatively, GPPC 14 refers to the possibility of
replacing Clause 12 by appropriate Particular Conditions, for a lump-sum
contract or a cost-plus contract.
CONS
12.1 Works to be Measured
Clause 12 CONS: Measurement and Evaluation
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Drawings, on-Site measurement or from records. The Contractor may be required
(by the Specification, typically) to prepare detailed records, and the Contract may
state that the quantities shall be based upon such records except to the extent of
any errors therein. If the Bill of Quantities indicates that quantities are to be based
upon records, but there is no indication as to who should prepare these records,
they must be prepared by the Engineer in accordance with the penultimate
paragraph of Sub-Clause 12.1.
inaccurate. After receiving this notice, the Engineer
shall review the records and either confirm or vary
them. If the Contractor does not so give notice to
the Engineer within 14 days after being requested to
examine the records, they shall be accepted as
accurate.
Sub-Clause 12.1 describes the procedure for measuring the quantity of each item
of work. Quantities should preferably be agreed between the representatives of
the Engineer and the Contractor, as a continuing process, and as the execution
of the Works proceeds. Although the second paragraph empowers the Engineer
to take the initiative in requiring a measurement to be made, this activity should be
regarded as a joint activity.
The "Schedules" are defined as including a "Bill of Quantities". It should prescribe
the basis for measuring each item of the Permanent Works, whether from the
CONS
RB 56
CONS
12.2 Method of Measurement
Except as otherwise stated in the Contract and
notwithstanding local practice:
(a) measurement shall be made of the net actual
quantity of each item of the Permanent
Works, and
(b) the method of measurement shall be in
accordance with the Bill of Quantities or
other applicable Schedules.
RB 57.1
These two sub-paragraphs describe what is typically referred to as the "method
of measurement" applicable to the Works. This method relates primarily to what
quantities are to be applicable to the evaluation, rather than to the measuring
techniques (although they may also be described), and plays an important part in
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Except as otherwise stated in the Contract, the
Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ] to agree or determine the
Contract Price by evaluating each item of work,
applying the measurement agreed or determined in
accordance with the above Sub-Clauses 12.1
and 12.2 and the appropriate rate or price for the item.
For each item of work, the appropriate rate or price
for the item shall be the rate or price specified for
such item in the Contract or, if there is no such
item, specified for similar work. However, a new rate
CONS
12.3 Evaluation
the whole evaluation of the Contract Price. This method (or principles) of
measurement may comprise:
- principles for measurement which are specified in a preambletotheBillofQuantities,
- a publication which specifies principles of measurement and which is
incorporated (by reference) into the Bill of Quantities, or
- for a contract which does not contain many or complex items of work,
principles included in each of the item descriptions in the Bill of Quantities.
Each item of the Works is to be measured in accordance with such
principles/method of measurement, which take precedence over the general
principle described in sub-paragraph (a) of this Sub-Clause. Sub-paragraph (a)
specifies that, unless such specified principles (or other provisions in the Contract)
state otherwise, measurement shall be made of the net actual quantity of each
item of work, notwithstanding local practice.
It may be unfair to assume that an international contractor is familiar with all
aspects of local practice on these matters.
It is important to verify, before the Bill of Quantities is issued to tenderers, that it
includes the correct quantities and item descriptions of the work defined in the
Drawings and Specification. Clause 12 requires the work to be measured and
valued, based upon the Bill of Quantities and/or other appropriate Schedules.
Generally, tenderers will have limited opportunity to verify the correctness of the
Bill of Quantities which they receive.
However, during the measurement of the completed works, omissions in the
original Bill of Quantities may be discovered, or be alleged by a Party. In such
a case, a dispute may arise as to whether an additional Bill item will be
required, or as to whether the work is covered by another item in the Bill of
Quantities. Although resolution of the matter may need to take account of
various provisions in the Contract and of the applicable Laws, it is suggested
that the effect of this Clause 12 would typically be as follows:
- If the Bill of Quantities includes (either incorporated by reference or
specified) principles of measurement which clearly require that an item
of work be measured, and if the Bill of Quantities contains is no such
item, then an additional Bill item will required in order to satisfy the
requirement for measurement in accordance with such principles.
- If the Bill of Quantities includes (either incorporated by reference or specified)
principles of measurement which do not clearly require that a particular item
of work be measured, and the work was as described in the Contract and
did not arise from a Variation, then measurement in accordance with such
principles does not require the addition of a new Bill item.
- If the Bill of Quantities does not include principles of measurement for a
particular item of work, and the work was as described in the Contract
and did not arise from a Variation, then measurement in accordance
with such principles does not require the addition of a new Bill item.
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or price shall be appropriate for an item of work if:
(a) (i) the measured quantity of the item is
changed by more than 10% from the
quantity of this item in the Bill of Quantities
or other Schedule,
(ii) this change in quantity multiplied by such
specified rate for this item exceeds 0.01%
of the Accepted Contract Amount,
(iii) this change in quantity directly changes
the Cost per unit quantity of this item by
more than 1%, and
(iv) this item is not specified in the Contract
as a “fixed rate item”;
or
(b) (i) the work is instructed under Clause 13
[ Variations and Adjustments ],
(ii) no rate or price is specified in the
Contract for this item, and
(iii) no specified rate or price is appropriate
because the item of work is not of similar
character, or is not executed under similar
conditions, as any item in the Contract.
Each new rate or price shall be derived from any
relevant rates or prices in the Contract, with
reasonable adjustments to take account of the
matters described in sub-paragraph (a) and/or (b),
as applicable. If no rates or prices are relevant for
the derivation of a new rate or price, it shall be
derived from the reasonable Cost of executing the
work, together with reasonable profit, taking
account of any other relevant matters.
Until such time as an appropriate rate or price is
agreed or determined, the Engineer shall determine
CONS
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a provisional rate or price for the purposes of
Interim Payment Certificates.
CONS
RB 52
The Engineer is required to agree or determine the value of each item of work,
applying measured quantities to rates and prices in accordance with this Sub-
Clause. Most measured quantities should be agreed without resorting to the
determination referred to in the first sentence.
The principles/method of measurement will, by defining what is to be measured,
define what is appropriate for valuing each item in the Bill of Quantities:
- a "rate" per unit quantity (such as $4/m3 for work measured by volume),
which in some languages is referred to as a "unit price" or
- a lump sum "price" (such as $4000 for an item of work which is not to be
measured).
The second paragraph confirms that, for each item, the appropriate rate or price
shall be that stated in the Contract, either for such item or for "similar" work. The
question as to the similarity of work may be resolved by referring to the description
in sub-paragraph (b)(iii), which refers to similarity in terms of work being of similar
character and executed under similar conditions.
Sub-paragraph (a) specifies four criteria which are applicable without reference to
Clause 13, and a new rate shall only be appropriate if all four criteria are satisfied.
The first two criteria relate to the change in quantity; the third criterion relates to
its effect on Costs; and the fourth criterion allows adjustment of some items to be
precluded.
(i) The measured quantity ("QM") of the work must be less than 90%, or
more than 110%, of the quantity stated in the Bill of Quantities (“QB").
This criterion is consistent with the principle that QB is only an estimate,
as stated in Sub-Clause 14.1(c).
(ii) When the difference in quantity (namely, the difference between QM and
QB) is multiplied by the rate per unit quantity stated in the Bill of
Quantities, the product must be more than 0.01% of the Accepted
Contract Amount. This criterion is specified in order to avoid adjusting a
rate if the adjustment will have little effect on the final Contract Price.
(iii) The difference in quantity (namely the change from QB to QM only and
excluding other matters) must have affected the "Cost per unit quantity",
which is the Cost incurred executing the work covered by the item,
divided by the quantity of the item as measurable in accordance with
the applicable method of measurement. This criterion relates firstly to
the Cost actually incurred ("Cqm") in the execution of the measured
quantity QM; and secondly to what the Cost would have been ("Cqb")
if the measured quantity had been equal to QB. Under this criterion, the
Cost actually incurred divided by the measured quantity (Cqm/QM)
must be less than 99%, or more than 101%, of the cost per unit quantity
(Cqb/QB) which the Contractor would have incurred if he had executed
QB. Note that "Cqb" is the Cost which the Contractor would actually
have incurred if QM=QB; and not (for example) his foreseen or
estimated cost, or any amount included in (or otherwise derived from)
the Bill of Quantities. This criterion is specified in order to avoid adjusting
a rate by less than 1%. As noted below, adjustments are based upon
the proportion (Cqm/QM) / (Cqb/QB).
(iv) The Contract must not have used phrase "fixed rate item" in relation to
the item in the Bill. This criterion is specified in order to allow for some
Bill items having very provisional quantities. Alternatively, if the Bill
includes items which have no quantity QB (the phrase "rate only item"
might have been used, for example), there will be no "quantity of this
item in the Bill of Quantities or other Schedule" and the rates for these
items would not be adjusted under this Sub-Clause.
If the four criteria in sub-paragraph (a) are satisfied, the Bill rate would typically be
changed in proportion to such change in Cost per unit quantity which was the
direct result of the change in quantity. In other words, the rate per unit quantity
would be adjusted pro rata to the proportion (Cqm/QM) / (Cqb/QB). Having
passed the three criteria which specify percentages, the new rate should not take
account of the criterion percentages in (a)(i), (ii) and (iii). Although these
percentages preclude adjustment of some items, changes to the rates should not
be based upon differences between actual and criterion percentages.
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Sub-paragraph (b) specifies criteria relating to work instructed under Clause 13,
which includes Variations, work under Provisional Sums, and (possibly) some
types of work valued under the provisions in the Daywork Schedule. In these
cases, a new rate or price will be considered appropriate if there is no Bill rate or
price for work of similar character and executed under similar conditions.
If a new rate or price is to be assessed, it may be derived from relevant rates
and/or prices in the Bill of Quantities or other appropriate Schedules, and/or from
reasonable Costs.
Typically, (Cqm/QM) would be expected to be equal to (Cqb/QB) and criterion
(a)(iii) would not be satisfied. For example, mass excavation Costs are typically
proportional to the quantity excavated, so (Cqm/QM)=(Cqb/QB). For some other
construction operations, the Costs (Cqm and Cqb) may include an element which
is fixed and does not depend upon the quantity executed; so if QM>QB then
(Cqm/QM)<(Cqb/QB). The fixed element might be the provision of Temporary
Works or the assembly of Contractor's Equipment, unless the Cost of such
operations is included in other Bill items and not in Cqm and Cqb.
Whenever the omission of any work forms part (or all) of
a Variation, the value of which has not been agreed, if:
(a) the Contractor will incur (or has incurred) cost
which, if the work had not been omitted, would
have been deemed to be covered by a sum
forming part of the Accepted Contract Amount;
(b) the omission of the work will result (or has
resulted) in this sum not forming part of the
Contract Price; and
(c) this cost is not deemed to be included in the
evaluation of any substituted work;
then the Contractor shall give notice to the Engineer
accordingly, with supporting particulars. Upon
receiving this notice, the Engineer shall proceed in
to agree or determine this cost, which shall be
CONS
12.4 Omissions
Since Sub-Clause 13.3 concludes by referring to Variations being valued under
Clause 12, and the quantity (for the purposes of Sub-Clause 12.3) of an omitted
item is zero, Clause 12 concludes by entitling the Contractor to compensation for
the costs reasonably incurred in the expectation of carrying out work
subsequently omitted under the Variation.
The Sub-Clause refers to the word "cost" in its usual usage, rather than to "Cost".
The significance of this point is best illustrated by a typical example. If the
Contractor had ordered formwork for work which was subsequently omitted by
Variation, the Accepted Contract Amount would typically have included direct cost
plus profit in respect of this formwork. The Contractor would then be entitled to
recover cost and profit. However, if the Employer was thus required to pay for the
full cost of an item, he may also be entitled to recover it as his property.
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- Under EPCT, the Contractor carries out Tests after Completion, providing
all plant, equipment and staff necessary to carry out these Tests efficiently,
in the presence of such Personnel as either Party may reasonably request.
These Personnel would typically include the Employer's operating
personnel.
However, these alternatives have been published on the basis of providing
alternatives after an informed choice has been made (before writing the Contract),
not because FIDIC considers that one procedure is preferable for a P&DB contract
and the other is preferable for an EPCT contract.
The Tests after Completion are the tests which need to be defined in the
Employer's Requirements, and may be elaborated in P&DB's Contractor's
Proposal or EPCT's Tender. These Tests are required to be carried out as soon as
possible after taking over, in order to determine whether the Works (or a Section,
if any) comply with specified performance criteria. The Books provide alternative
procedures, depending upon who performs Tests after Completion:
- Under P&DB, the Employer carries out Tests after Completion in accordance
with the operation and maintenance manuals and such guidance as the
Contractor may be required to give during these Tests, and in the presence
of such Contractor's Personnel as either Party may reasonably request.
P&DB EPCT
12.1 Procedure for Tests after Completion
If Tests after Completion are specified in the Contract,
this Clause shall apply. Unless otherwise stated in the
Particular Conditions, the Employer shall:
(a) provide all electricity, equipment, fuel,
instruments, labour, materials, and suitably
qualified and experienced staff, as are
necessary to carry out the Tests after
Completion efficiently, and
(b) carry out the Tests after Completion in
accordance with the manuals supplied by
the Contractor under Sub-Clause 5.7
[ Operation and Maintenance Manuals ] and
such guidance as the Contractor may be
required to give during the course of these
Tests; and in the presence of such
Contractor's Personnel as either Party may
reasonably request.
The Tests after Completion shall be carried out as
soon as is reasonably practicable after the Works
If Tests after Completion are specified in the Contract,
this Clause shall apply. Unless otherwise stated in the
(a) the Employer shall provide all electricity, fuel
and materials, and make the Employer's
Personnel and Plant available;
(b) the Contractor shall provide any other plant,
equipment and suitably qualified and
experienced staff, as are necessary to carry
out the Tests after Completion efficiently;
and
(c) the Contractor shall carry out the Tests after
Completion in the presence of such
Employer's and/or Contractor's Personnel as
either Party may reasonably request.
The Tests after Completion shall be carried out as
soon as is reasonably practicable after the Works
Clause 12 P&DB/EPCT: Tests After Completion
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or Section have been taken over by the Employer.
The Employer shall give to the Contractor 21 days'
notice of the date after which the Tests after
Completion will be carried out. Unless otherwise
agreed, these Tests shall be carried out within 14
days after this date, on the day or days determined
by the Employer.
If the Contractor does not attend at the time and
place agreed, the Employer may proceed with the
Tests after Completion, which shall be deemed to
have been made in the Contractor's presence, and
the Contractor shall accept the readings as accurate.
The results of the Tests after Completion shall be
compiled and evaluated by both Parties.
Appropriate account shall be taken of the effect of
the Employer's prior use of the Works
or Section have been taken over by the Employer.
The Employer shall give to the Contractor 21 days'
notice of the date after which the Tests after
Completion will be carried out. Unless otherwise
agreed, these Tests shall be carried out within 14
days after this date, on the day or days determined
by the Employer.
The results of the Tests after Completion shall be
compiled and evaluated by the Contractor, who
shall prepare a detailed report. Appropriate account
shall be taken of the effect of the Employer's prior
use of the Works.
P&DB EPCT
OB 11.1
For some types of Works, it may be appropriate for the Tests after Completion to
include the repetition of some of the Tests on Completion, possibly with more
onerous acceptance criteria.
Tests after Completion might include a combination of electrical, hydraulic and
mechanical tests, with the Works being operated continuously during a reliability
run. Its duration must be specified, for which 28 days is often appropriate.
Specification of these performance tests may be made more difficult by the
Employer's Requirements having to be written before the details of the Works are
known, and possibly some years before the Tests will be carried out. However,
inadequate specification could give rise to dispute, because the Tests have a
major role in determining the acceptability of the Works.
Typically, the provisions might have to take account of the quality and
availability of feedstock and other materials, the quality and production rates
of the output (product) and of by-products (including treatment and disposal
of effluent and by-products), and efficiency in the use of power, materials and
other resources.
For some types of Works, it might be necessary to carry out these Tests during a
particular season of the year. Under this Sub-Clause, the Employer decides the date
after which the Tests after Completion are to be carried out, and is responsible for
making the necessary arrangements described in sub-paragraph (a).
Evaluation of the results should be carried out jointly by the Employer and the
Contractor, in order to resolve any technical differences at an early stage. They
may find it difficult to take account of the prior use of the Works by the Employer,
depending on the required long term performance specified in the Employer's
Requirements. Ideally, the Tests after Completion should be specified in such a
way that, when carried out during the Defects Notification Period, the results
should not be influenced by the foreseeable use prior to testing.
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12.2 Delayed Tests
P&DB EPCT
If the Contractor incurs Cost as a result of any
unreasonable delay by the Employer to the Tests
after Completion, the Contractor shall (i) give notice
to the Engineer and (ii) be entitled subject to Sub-
Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's Claims ] to payment of
any such Cost plus reasonable profit, which shall be
to agree or determine this Cost and profit.
If, for reasons not attributable to the Contractor, a
Test after Completion on the Works or any Section
cannot be completed during the Defects Notification
Period (or any other period agreed upon by both
Parties), then the Works or Section shall be deemed
to have passed this Test after Completion.
If the Contractor incurs Cost as a result of any
unreasonable delay by the Employer to the Tests
after Completion, the Contractor shall (i) give notice
to the Employer and (ii) be entitled subject to Sub-
Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's Claims ] to payment of
any such Cost plus reasonable profit, which shall be
to agree or determine this Cost and profit.
If, for reasons not attributable to the Contractor, a
Test after Completion on the Works or any Section
cannot be completed during the Defects Notification
Period (or any other period agreed upon by both
Parties), then the Works or Section shall be deemed
to have passed this Test after Completion.
Sub-Clause 12.2 therefore protects the Contractor from undue delay, and
entitles him to recover the Cost caused by the delay, plus reasonable profit.
What constitutes "unreasonable delay" must depend on the nature of the
Works and on any indications of timing specified in the Employer's
Requirements. P&DB 1.3 requires the Contractor to send a copy of the notice
to the Employer.
The Contractor might be reluctant to enter into a contract which allowed the
Employer to postpone the Tests after Completion unreasonably, because of the
Cost of financing the delayed repayment of the first half of the Retention Money
under Sub-Clause 14.9. However, the Employer might be reluctant to enter into a
P&DB contract which required him to carry out the Tests after Completion
immediately after taking over, before his operational personnel had familiarised
themselves with the plant.
OB 11.2
12.3 Retesting
P&DB EPCT
If the Works, or a Section, fail to pass the Tests after
Completion:
(a) sub-paragraph (b) of Sub-Clause 11.1
[ Completion of Outstanding Work and
If the Works, or a Section, fail to pass the Tests after
Completion:
(a) sub-paragraph (b) of Sub-Clause 11.1
[ Completion of Outstanding Work and
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OB 11.3
Either Party may require Tests after Completion to be repeated, including tests on
"related work" which may have been affected by any remedial work. The Party
requiring repetition should do so promptly. This Sub-Clause is applicable following
any failure of a repeated Test after Completion, without any constraint on the
number of repetitions following failure.
12.4 Failure to Pass Tests after Completion
P&DB EPCT
(a) the Works, or a Section, fail to pass any or all
of the Tests after Completion,
(b) the relevant sum payable as non-
performance damages for this failure is stated
(or its method of calculation is defined) in the
Contract, and
(c) the Contractor pays this relevant sum to the
Employer during the Defects Notification Period,
(a) the Works, or a Section, fail to pass any or all
of the Tests after Completion,
(b) the relevant sum payable as non-
performance damages for this failure is stated
(or its method of calculation is defined) in the
Contract, and
(c) the Contractor pays this relevant sum to the
Employer during the Defects Notification Period,
Remedying Defects ] shall apply, and
(b) either Party may then require the failed Tests,
and the Tests after Completion on any related
work, to be repeated under the same terms
and conditions.
If and to the extent that this failure and retesting are
attributable to any of the matters listed in sub-
paragraphs (a) to (d) of Sub-Clause 11.2 [ Cost of
Remedying Defects ] and cause the Employer to
Remedying of Defects ] shall apply, and
(b) either Party may then require the failed Tests,
and the Tests after Completion on any related
work, to be repeated under the same terms
and conditions.
If and to the extent that this failure and retesting are
attributable to any of the matters listed in sub-
paragraphs (a) to (d) of Sub-Clause 11.2 [ Cost of
Remedying Defects ] and cause the Employer to
P&DB EPCT
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then the Works or Section shall be deemed to have
passed these Tests after Completion.
If the Works, or a Section, fail to pass a Test after
Completion and the Contractor proposes to make
adjustments or modifications to the Works or such
Section, the Contractor may be instructed by (or on
behalf of) the Employer that right of access to the
Works or Section cannot be given until a time that is
convenient to the Employer. The Contractor shall
then remain liable to carry out the adjustments or
modifications and to satisfy this Test, within a
reasonable period of receiving notice by (or on
behalf of) the Employer of the time that is
convenient to the Employer. However, if the
Contractor does not receive this notice during the
relevant Defects Notification Period, the Contractor
shall be relieved of this obligation and the Works or
Section (as the case may be) shall be deemed to
have passed this Test after Completion.
If the Contractor incurs additional Cost as a result of
any unreasonable delay by the Employer in
permitting access to the Works or Plant by the
Contractor, either to investigate the causes of a
failure to pass a Test after Completion or to carry
out any adjustments or modifications, the
Contract Price.
[ Determinations ] to agree or determine this Cost
and profit.
then the Works or Section shall be deemed to have
passed these Tests after Completion.
If the Works, or a Section, fail to pass a Test after
Completion and the Contractor proposes to make
adjustments or modifications to the Works or such
Section, the Contractor may be instructed by (or on
behalf of) the Employer that right of access to the
Works or Section cannot be given until a time that is
convenient to the Employer. The Contractor shall
then remain liable to carry out the adjustments or
modifications and to satisfy this Test, within a
reasonable period of receiving notice by (or on
behalf of) the Employer of the time that is
convenient to the Employer. However, if the
Contractor does not receive this notice during the
relevant Defects Notification Period, the Contractor
shall be relieved of this obligation and the Works or
Section (as the case may be) shall be deemed to
have passed this Test after Completion.
If the Contractor incurs additional Cost as a result of
any unreasonable delay by the Employer in
permitting access to the Works or Plant by the
Contractor, either to investigate the causes of a
failure to pass a Test after Completion or to carry
out any adjustments or modifications, the
Contractor shall (i) give notice to the Employer and
plus reasonable profit, which shall be added to the
Contract Price.
[ Determinations ] to agree or determine this Cost
and profit.
P&DB EPCT
OB 11.4
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The first part of this Sub-Clause provides a mechanism to compensate the
Employer for a failure to pass any one of the Tests after Completion, unless the
Contract does not define how these non-performance damages are to be
determined for the particular failure. If these non-performance damages are not
ascertainable, this first part and its sub-paragraphs are inapplicable.
When preparing the tender documents, the Employer should define minimum
acceptable criteria (the maximum permissible extent of the test failure), and not
mistakenly define it as a limit to these non-performance damages. The latter limit
would only provide a limitation on the payment by the Contractor and may not
impose any restriction on what is acceptable. The importance of assessing these
non-performance damages carefully cannot be over-emphasised, because of the
eventual possibility that the Employer will find that he has taken over non-
compliant Works, paid the Contract Price and only been able to deduct these
non-performance damages.
The second paragraph covers the practical difficulty which the Employer may have
in giving the Contractor access to overcome a failure. The Contractor remains
liable to carry out the work, unless he is instructed that right of access cannot be
given until a convenient time and he does not receive reasonable notice of such
time during the Defects Notification Period.
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approved as a Variation, or he may be given other instructions which
constitute a Variation.
- A proposal may be requested, in an endeavour to reach prior agreement on
its effect and thereby minimise dispute. This "request" would typically not
constitute a Variation, and is not mentioned in Sub-Clause 13.2 (which is
not intended to be applicable to requested proposals). Again, the proposal
may be approved as a Variation, or other instructions may be issued which
constitute a Variation.
Variations may be initiated by the Engineer at any
time prior to issuing the Taking-Over Certificate for
the Works, either by an instruction or by a request
for the Contractor to submit a proposal.
The Contractor shall execute and be bound by each
Variation, unless the Contractor promptly gives
notice to the Engineer stating (with supporting
particulars) that the Contractor cannot readily obtain
the Goods required for the Variation. Upon receiving
this notice, the Engineer shall cancel, confirm or
vary the instruction.
Each Variation may include:
(a) changes to the quantities of any item of work
included in the Contract (however, such
changes do not necessarily constitute a
Variation),
(b) changes to the quality and other
characteristics of any item of work,
(c) changes to the levels, positions and/or
dimensions of any part of the Works,
Variations may be initiated by the Engineer at any
for the Contractor to submit a proposal. A Variation
shall not comprise the omission of any work which
is to be carried out by others.
notice to the Engineer stating (with supporting
particulars) that (i) the Contractor cannot readily
obtain the Goods required for the Variation, (ii) it will
reduce the safety or suitability of the Works, or (iii) it
will have an adverse impact on the achievement of
the Schedule of Guarantees. Upon receiving this
notice, the Engineer shall cancel, confirm or vary the
instruction.
Variations may be initiated by the Employer at any
for the Contractor to submit a proposal. A Variation
shall not comprise the omission of any work which
is to be carried out by others.
notice to the Employer stating (with supporting
particulars) that (i) the Contractor cannot readily
obtain the Goods required for the Variation, (ii) it will
reduce the safety or suitability of the Works, or (iii) it
will have an adverse impact on the achievement of
the Performance Guarantees. Upon receiving this
notice, the Employer shall cancel, confirm or vary
the instruction.
Although Variations are a source of many disputes, Employers are generally
unwilling to enter into contracts which prevent them from requiring changes to be
made, other than after the taking-over. Variations can be initiated by any of three
ways:
- The Variation may be instructed without prior agreement as to feasibility or
price, which may be appropriate for urgent work, or in respect of CONS'
Works which are designed by (or on behalf of) the Employer.
- The Contractor may (at his option) initiate his own proposals, which may be
CONS P&DB EPCT
13.1 Right to Vary
Clause 13 Variations and Adjustments
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Having received an instruction to execute a Variation, the Contractor must comply
with it unless he promptly gives the notice described in the second paragraph of
this Sub-Clause. He may be unable readily to obtain the Goods, which are the
Contractor's Equipment, Materials, Plant and Temporary Works required for the
Variation. Under P&DB/EPCT, he may have concerns regarding his design
responsibilities, such as safety, suitability or achievement of performance criteria.
Under EPCT, the instruction should state that it is a Variation, because of EPCT 3.4.
If the Contractor gives notice under the second paragraph, the notice and
supporting particulars should be studied carefully, by CONS' or P&DB's Engineer
or EPCT's Employer, before the Variation is cancelled, confirmed or varied:
- If the Variation is confirmed and not varied, the confirmation should be in
writing and address the issues raised in the Contractor's notice.
- If the Variation is itself varied, it may be a new "Variation", to which the
Contractor may respond by giving a new notice under the second
paragraph.
CONS 13.1 continues by listing the broad extent to which the Engineer may
instruct Variations. Under sub-paragraph (a), Variations may involve changes in
quantities, but a change in the quantity of an item in the Bill of Quantities does not
necessarily constitute a Variation. For example, the final volume of general
excavation is typically not exactly identical to the Bill quantity for this work, without
there having been any Variation. See also CONS 12.3(a).
CONS 13.1(d) empowers the Engineer to instruct omissions, to which CONS 12.4
refers, unless the work is to be carried out by others. A similar provision and
restriction are contained in the first paragraph of P&DB/EPCT 13.1.
CONS 13.1(f) empowers the Engineer to instruct "changes to the sequence or
timing of the execution of the Works". However, "changes to the … timing of the
execution" only empowers the Engineer to instruct changes to the timing of
execution operations, not to the timing of completion. In other words, the Engineer
is not empowered to instruct the Contractor to complete major parts (or all) of the
Works or any Section before the relevant Time for Completion expires.
Acceleration to complete within the Time for Completion is covered in Sub-Clause
8.6. Acceleration to complete prior to the Time for Completion is covered in the
first sentence of Sub-Clause 13.2. This "Time for Completion" is defined in Sub-
Clause 1.1.3.3 as including extensions of time due under Sub-Clause 8.4. If the
Engineer (under CONS or P&DB) or Employer (under EPCT) fails to determine
extensions of time in accordance with Sub-Clauses 8.4 and 20.1:
- there would thereafter be no "Time for Completion" (time is said to be "at
large"),
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 18 & 51; YB 31; OB 14.1
(d) omission of any work unless it is to be carried
out by others,
(e) any additional work, Plant, Materials or
services necessary for the Permanent Works,
including any associated Tests on
Completion, boreholes and other testing and
exploratory work, or
(f) changes to the sequence or timing of the
execution of the Works.
The Contractor shall not make any alteration and/or
modification of the Permanent Works, unless and
until the Engineer instructs or approves a Variation.
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not fit for its purpose. Variations should therefore be in the form of instructed
changes to the Employer's Requirements, with which the Contractor's design
must comply.
CONS 13.1 concludes by denying the Contractor the right to alter or modify the
Permanent Works except in accordance with Variations.
Under P&DB or EPCT, there is no such constraint against altering or modifying the
Permanent Works, because such a constraint would have been ambiguous. The
Works must comply with the Contract, and such compliance may involve
alterations or modifications in accordance with P&DB/EPCT 5.8.
- the Contract would be construed accordingly (Sub-Clause 8.6 may be
inapplicable, for example), and
- the Contractor's obligation would be to complete within a time which was
reasonable in all the circumstances.
Under P&DB or EPCT, and in respect of Contractor-designed works under CONS
(if any), it is important that the Contractor remains responsible for his design.
However, the Employer will generally be responsible for any design solution
which he imposes. For example, he cannot vary (or immutably define in the
Contract) the width of a road and then assert that the road is too narrow and thus
The Contractor may, at any time, submit to the
Engineer a written proposal which (in the
Contractor’s opinion) will, if adopted, (i) accelerate
completion, (ii) reduce the cost to the Employer of
executing, maintaining or operating the Works, (iii)
improve the efficiency or value to the Employer of
the completed Works, or (iv) otherwise be of benefit
to the Employer.
The proposal shall be prepared at the cost of the
Contractor and shall include the items listed in Sub-
Clause 13.3 [ Variation Procedure ].
If a proposal, which is approved by the Engineer,
includes a change in the design of part of the
Permanent Works, then unless otherwise agreed by
both Parties:
(a) the Contractor shall design this part,
(b) sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) of Sub-Clause 4.1
[ Contractor’s General Obligations ] shall
apply, and
(c) if this change results in a reduction in the
contract value of this part, the Engineer shall
Engineer a written proposal which (in the
Contractor's opinion) will, if adopted, (i) accelerate
to the Employer.
Employer a written proposal which (in the
Contractor's opinion) will, if adopted, (i) accelerate
to the Employer.
CONS P&DB EPCT
13.2 Value Engineering
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[ Determinations ] to agree or determine a fee,
This fee shall be half (50%) of the difference
between the following amounts:
(i) such reduction in contract value, resulting
from the change, excluding adjustments
under Sub-Clause 13.7 [ Adjustments for
Changes in Legislation ] and Sub-
Clause 13.8 [ Adjustments for Changes in
Cost ],and
(ii) the reduction (if any) in the value to the
Employer of the varied works, taking
account of any reductions in quality,
anticipated life or operational efficiencies.
However, if amount (i) is less than amount (ii), there
shall not be a fee.
The Contractor is not under any duty to submit value engineering proposals. He may
be reluctant to do so, unless he seems likely to benefit from his endeavours. The
Contractor may wish to propose changes in (for example) the following situations:
- The proposal may appear to be of benefit to the Contractor, in which case
he may offer a reduction in the Contract Price in order to encourage the
Employer's acceptance (especially if the proposal would not otherwise
appear to be of benefit to the Employer).
- The proposal may appear to be of benefit to the Employer, by improving the
quality of the Works (by reducing the cost of maintenance or operation, or
improving productivity or efficiency). This might involve an increase in the
Cost, and thus in the Contract Price.
The Contractor may, at any time and at his option and his cost, submit proposals
which "include the items listed in Sub-Clause 13.3". Under Sub-Clause 13.3, he
may be requested to do so, in which case Sub-Clause 13.2 would typically not
apply to the proposal (in particular, CONS 13.2(c) may be inappropriate). In either
case, Sub-Clause 13.3 then requires that work should not be delayed whilst he
awaits a response. The latter requirement (for work not being delayed) is not
repeated in relation to proposals which do not "include the items listed in Sub-
Clause 13.3", because he would generally not be entitled to claim compensation
in respect of a period waiting for a response to a non-compliant proposal which
he had submitted on his own initiative.
If the Contractor feels that the cost of preparing a fully detailed proposal may be
excessive, he may (taking account of the possibility of rejection) prefer to put
forward proposals in discrete stages. For example, he may initially describe the
general concept of the changes proposed, together with financial proposals which
may include suggestions regarding compensation for reimbursement of his Cost
of performing the next stage: more detailed design, possibly. Alternative
suggestions for reimbursement may be made, depending upon whether the
outcome of the next stage is acceptable to the Employer. This initial stage would
CONS P&DB EPCT
YB 26.3 & 31.1; OB 14.2
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CONS 13.2(c) describes how any saving in the part's "contract value" is to be
shared. It is preferable to agree such matters before each value engineering
proposal is adopted. The "contract value", which is also mentioned in CONS
14.3(a), relates to the part's value under the Contract: typically under CONS
12.3.
P&DB and EPCT do not contain any provisions describing how any contract value
saving is to be shared, because they do not contain contract value provisions
similar to CONS 12.
It is preferable for the Parties to reach agreement on the sharing of contract value
saving, arising from a value engineering proposal, before the Variation is put into
effect. If agreement is not reached, CONS 13.2(c) or the last sentence of
P&DB/EPCT 13.3 will be applicable.
If the Engineer requests a proposal, prior to
instructing a Variation, the Contractor shall respond
in writing as soon as practicable, either by giving
reasons why he cannot comply (if this is the case)
or by submitting:
(a) a description of the proposed work to be
performed and a programme for its
execution,
(b) the Contractor’s proposal for any necessary
modifications to the programme according to
Sub-Clause 8.3 [ Programme ] and to the
Time for Completion, and
(c) the Contractor’s proposal for evaluation of the
Variation.
The Engineer shall, as soon as practicable after
receiving such proposal (under Sub-Clause 13.2
[ Value Engineering ] or otherwise), respond with
If the Engineer requests a proposal, prior to
or by submitting:
(a) a description of the proposed design and/or
work to be performed and a programme for
its execution,
(b) the Contractor's proposal for any necessary
(c) the Contractor's proposal for adjustment to
the Contract Price.
The Engineer shall, as soon as practicable after
If the Employer requests a proposal, prior to
or by submitting:
(a) a description of the proposed design and/or
work to be performed and a programme for
its execution,
(b) the Contractor's proposal for any necessary
(c) the Contractor's proposal for adjustment to
the Contract Price.
The Employer shall, as soon as practicable after
typically be more economical for the Contractor but, if he submits initial proposals
on this basis, the Employer may be less likely to proceed to the next stage.
Sub-Clause 13.2 does not require the Employer to devote the considerable
resources which may be required in order to study a detailed value engineering
proposal. However, if he receives an indication from the Contractor regarding a
possible proposal under this Sub-Clause and does not intend to study it, he
should not mislead the Contractor by refraining from describing his intentions.
CONS 13.2 concludes with sub-paragraphs covering the possibility that the value
engineering proposal may involve a change in the Employer's (or Engineer's)
design of the Permanent Works. Problems sometimes arise in these situations,
usually because the Parties failed to agree (or even consider) aspects such as
design liability. They are entitled to agree what they wish, but the sub-paragraphs
define the position if they fail to reach and record their agreement.
13.3 Variation Procedure
CONS P&DB EPCT
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approval, disapproval or comments. The Contractor
shall not delay any work whilst awaiting a response.
Each instruction to execute a Variation, with any
requirements for the recording of Costs, shall be
issued by the Engineer to the Contractor, who shall
acknowledge receipt.
Each Variation shall be evaluated in accordance with
Clause 12 [ Measurement and Evaluation ], unless
the Engineer instructs or approves otherwise in
accordance with this Clause.
issued by the Engineer to the Contractor, who shall
Upon instructing or approving a Variation, the
adjustments to the Contract Price and the Schedule
of Payments. These adjustments shall include
reasonable profit, and shall take account of the
Contractor's submissions under Sub-Clause 13.2
[ Value Engineering ] if applicable.
issued by the Employer to the Contractor, who shall
Upon instructing or approving a Variation, the
Employer shall proceed in accordance with Sub-
adjustments to the Contract Price and the Schedule
of Payments. These adjustments shall include
reasonable profit, and shall take account of the
Contractor's submissions under Sub-Clause 13.2
[ Value Engineering ] if applicable.
As noted previously, Variations can be initiated by any of three ways:
- The Variation may be instructed without prior agreement as to feasibility or
price, which may be appropriate for urgent work, or in respect of CONS'
Works which are designed by (or on behalf of) the Employer.
- The Contractor may (at his option) initiate his own proposals, which may
then be approved as a Variation, or he may be given other instructions
which constitute a Variation.
- A proposal under Sub-Clause 13.3(a)-(c) may be requested, in an
endeavour to reach prior agreement on its effect and thereby minimise
dispute. This "request" would typically not constitute a Variation, unless it is
an "instruction". Again, the proposal may be approved as a Variation, or
other instructions may be issued which constitute a Variation.
Unlike "instructions" (see CONS/P&DB 3.3 and EPCT 3.4), the Contractor is not
obliged to comply with a "request". He is required to respond, but his response
may:
- be in the form described in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) inclusive of Sub-
Clause 13.3,
- be in the form of a reasoned explanation of his inability to comply, or
- comprise some documents in the form described in sub-paragraphs (a) to
(c), together with an explanation of his inability to provide the other
requested submittals. For example, the Engineer or Employer might have
requested detailed design drawings of a potential major Variation.
Since the Contractor's obligation to comply with a request is limited to such an
explanation and/or to the listed documents, he is not stated as having any
entitlement to payment. He may be unwilling to incur much Cost, such as by
undertaking detailed design, for the purpose of complying with the request.
Typically, those preparing an offer are not paid for doing so, but payment may be
appropriate if detailed design is involved.
The request should be in writing (Sub-Clause 1.3), refer to the sub-
paragraphs of Sub-Clause 13.3, and use the word "request". Otherwise,
there is a risk that a request may appear to be an instruction, and thus as a
Variation, entitling the Contractor to payment for complying with it. Although
EPCT 3.4 requires each instruction to state the obligation to which it relates,
other instructions which the Contractor obeys may nevertheless entitle him
to payment.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 52; YB 31.2-31.5; OB 14.3
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the proposal had been rejected. For example, certain aspects of the proposal may
have a limited period of validity, depending on the nature of the proposed Variation
and on the work with which the Contractor proceeds after submitting his
proposal. The Contractor may therefore wish to define the validity of any offered
adjustments to the Contract Price and Time for Completion.
Responses are to be made "as soon as practicable" under the first and second
paragraphs. No period is specified as to what constitutes "as soon as
practicable", but the period will probably be affected by the amount of
documentation which constitutes the proposal.
The last paragraph describes the evaluation of Variations: namely in accordance
with CONS 12 (and CONS 13.2 may also be applicable), or with Sub-Clause 3.5
of the lump sum contracts P&DB/EPCT.
P&DB/EPCT 13.3 concludes by requiring Variation adjustments to the Contract
Price to take account of any value engineering submissions under Sub-Clause
13.2, if the Variation arose from any such submissions from the Contractor. No
specific mention is made of him receiving any special benefit from having thought
up the proposed variation, because of the difficulty of preventing such entitlement
arising in situations where he did little to develop his initial ideas. Therefore, the
sentence only requires account to be taken of his submissions. His endeavours in
seeking improvements beneficial to the Employer must be taken into account in
the valuation of a Variation which he initiated under Sub-Clause 13.2.
If the Contract provides for payment of the Contract
Price in more than one currency, then whenever an
adjustment is agreed, approved or determined as
stated above, the amount payable in each of the
applicable currencies shall be specified. For this
purpose, reference shall be made to the actual or
expected currency proportions of the Cost of the
varied work, and to the proportions of various
currencies specified for payment of the Contract Price.
The request may also include some wording derived from Sub-Clause 13.2,
although such wording was only intended to be applicable to proposals which
were not so requested. In particular, CONS 13.2(c) assumes that the Contractor
should benefit from having initiated a reduction in the contract value.
The second paragraph of Sub-Clause 13.3 then requires the Engineer under
CONS/P&DB or the Employer under EPCT to respond to the Contractor's
proposals as soon as practicable. This paragraph only applies to "such proposal",
which means the proposal mentioned in the first paragraph, namely:
- a requested proposal, which is mentioned in the first line of Sub-Clause
13.3 and which should include the items listed in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c),
or
- any proposal which includes the items listed in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c),
namely a proposal which includes "the items listed in Sub-Clause 13.3" (in
accordance with the second paragraph of Sub-Clause 13.2).
In either case, the Contractor must proceed with the Works ("with due expedition
and without delay": see Sub-Clause 8.1) unless and until he receives a response or
is instructed otherwise. For example, he may be instructed under Sub-Clause 8.8
not to proceed with a part of the Works, whilst his proposal is being considered.
The Engineer under CONS/P&DB or the Employer under EPCT should take
account of the consequences of the Contractor's obligation to proceed as though
CONS P&DB EPCT
13.4 Payment in Applicable Currencies
YB 35; OB 14.4
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This Sub-Clause applies whenever an adjustment is agreed, approved or
determined under Clause 13. The contract currency proportions (in which
payment of the Contract Price is made) may be appropriate for the Variation. Even
if such contract currency proportions are inappropriate, they are nevertheless as
relevant as the currency proportions in which the Contractor incurs Cost, and so
both such proportions must be taken into account.
CONS P&DB EPCT
13.5 Provisional Sums
Each Provisional Sum shall only be used, in whole
or in part, in accordance with the Engineer’s
instructions, and the Contract Price shall be
adjusted accordingly. The total sum paid to the
Contractor shall include only such amounts, for the
work, supplies or services to which the Provisional
Sum relates, as the Engineer shall have instructed.
For each Provisional Sum, the Engineer may
instruct:
(a) work to be executed (including Plant,
Materials or services to be supplied) by the
Contractor and valued under Sub-
Clause 13.3 [ Variation Procedure ]; and/or
(b) Plant, Materials or services to be purchased
by the Contractor, from a nominated Sub-
contractor (as defined in Clause 5
[ Nominated Subcontractors ]) or otherwise;
and for which there shall be included in the
Contract Price:
(i) the actual amounts paid (or due to be
paid) by the Contractor, and
(ii) a sum for overhead charges and profit,
calculated as a percentage of these actual
amounts by applying the relevant
percentage rate (if any) stated in the
appropriate Schedule. If there is no such
rate, the percentage rate stated in the
Appendix to Tender shall be applied.
or in part, in accordance with the Engineer's
Sum relates, as the Engineer shall have instructed.
For each Provisional Sum, the Engineer may
instruct:
Contractor and valued under Sub-Clause
13.3 [ Variation Procedure ]; and/or
by the Contractor, for which there shall be
included in the Contract Price:
appropriate Schedule. If there is no such
rate, the percentage rate stated in the
Appendix to Tender shall be applied.
or in part, in accordance with the Employer's
Sum relates, as the Employer shall have instructed.
For each Provisional Sum, the Employer may
instruct:
Contractor and valued under Sub-Clause
13.3 [ Variation Procedure ]; and/or
by the Contractor, for which there shall be
added to the Contract Price less the original
Provisional Sums:
Contract.
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be necessary to clarify the timing of any relevant instructions related to the work
covered in a Provisional Sum.
Provisional Sums are defined as any sums specified in the Contract as provisional
sums, so the Engineer or Employer cannot add new Provisional Sums (by
Variation or otherwise). Also, Sub-Clause 13.5 refers to each Provisional Sum
being used "in whole or in part", but not in excess, so the Engineer or Employer
cannot increase the amount of a Provisional Sum (by Variation or otherwise).
Under CONS or P&DB, if the amount stated in a Provisional Sum is exceeded, the
Contractor must still comply with the Engineer's instructions which he received
under sub-paragraph (a) and/or (b), but he may not be bound by the financial
consequences under this Sub-Clause in respect of the excess.
The amount to be included in each Provisional Sum should therefore include a
realistic estimate of the final amount which is anticipated to be used.
The Contractor shall, when required by the
Engineer, produce quotations, invoices, vouchers
and accounts or receipts in substantiation.
Engineer, produce quotations, invoices, vouchers
Employer, produce quotations, invoices, vouchers
Under CONS, Provisional Sums are often included in the Bill of Quantities for parts
of the Works which are not required to be priced at the risk of the Contractor. For
example, Provisional Sums may be appropriate for any Materials which the
Engineer is to select, or for any uncertain parts of the Works. Such arrangements
provide considerable flexibility, because the work may be executed by a
nominated Subcontractor, or by the Contractor and valued under Clause 12 or on
a Cost-plus basis.
Provisional Sums may also be included in a P&DB contract, and even
(occasionally) in a EPCT contract, for such parts of the Works as tenderers are not
required to price. However, Provisional Sums reduce the degree of certainty of the
final Contract Price of these lump sum contracts, particularly if they do not include
measurement provisions similar to CONS 12.
It is important to define the scope of each Provisional Sum precisely, because the
scope will be excluded from the other elements of the Contract Price. It might also
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 58 & 59.4; YB 36; OB 14.5
CONS P&DB EPCT
13.6 Daywork
For work of a minor or incidental nature, the
Engineer may instruct that a Variation shall be
executed on a daywork basis. The work shall then
be valued in accordance with the Daywork
Schedule included in the Contract, and the following
procedure shall apply. If a Daywork Schedule is not
included in the Contract, this Sub-Clause shall not
apply.
Before ordering Goods for the work, the Contractor
shall submit quotations to the Engineer. When
Engineer may instruct that a Variation shall be
be valued in accordance with the daywork schedule
included in the Contract, and the following
procedure shall apply. If a daywork schedule is not
apply.
shall submit quotations to the Engineer. When
Employer may instruct that a Variation shall be
be valued in accordance with the daywork schedule
included in the Contract, and the following
procedure shall apply. If a daywork schedule is not
apply.
shall submit quotations to the Employer. When
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applying for payment, the Contractor shall submit
invoices, vouchers and accounts or receipts for any
Goods.
Except for any items for which the Daywork
Schedule specifies that payment is not due, the
Contractor shall deliver each day to the Engineer
accurate statements in duplicate which shall include
the following details of the resources used in
executing the previous day’s work:
(a) the names, occupations and time of
Contractor’s Personnel,
(b) the identification, type and time of
Contractor’s Equipment and Temporary
Works, and
(c) the quantities and types of Plant and
Materials used.
One copy of each statement will, if correct, or when
agreed, be signed by the Engineer and returned to
the Contractor. The Contractor shall then submit
priced statements of these resources to the
Engineer, prior to their inclusion in the next
Statement under Sub-Clause 14.3 [ Application for
Interim Payment Certificates ].
Goods.
Except for any items for which the daywork
schedule specifies that payment is not due, the
Contractor shall deliver each day to the Engineer
executing the previous day’s work:
Contractor’s Personnel,
Contractor’s Equipment and Temporary
Works, and
Materials used.
agreed, be signed by the Engineer and returned to
Engineer, prior to their inclusion in the next
Interim Payment Certificates ].
Goods.
Except for any items for which the daywork
schedule specifies that payment is not due, the
Contractor shall deliver each day to the Employer
executing the previous day's work:
Contractor's Personnel,
Contractor's Equipment and Temporary
Works, and
Materials used.
agreed, be signed by the Employer and returned to
Employer, prior to their inclusion in the next
Interim Payments ].
RB 52.4
CONS P&DB EPCT
(a) a time charge rate for each person or category (money per person per hour,
for example),
(b) a time charge rate for each category of Contractor's Equipment (money per
hour per item, for example), and
(c) the payment due for each category of Materials. This is usually on a basis similar
to that described in Sub-Clause 13.5(b). However, for some Materials (for
example, natural Materials and Materials manufactured on Site), it may be
appropriate to provide items for pricing on a money per unit quantity basis.
Under CONS, daywork, which is sometimes called "time-work", is typically
necessary for minor or contingent work paid a Cost-plus basis.
Daywork may also be required under a P&DB contract, and even (occasionally) a
EPCT contract, for such minor or contingent work.
Sub-Clause 13.6 sets out the procedures to be followed, based upon the use of
a daywork schedule included in the Contract. If there is no such schedule, the
Sub-Clause is of no effect. The daywork schedule to be priced by tenderers and
included in the Contract should define:
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The Contract Price shall be adjusted to take
account of any increase or decrease in Cost
resulting from a change in the Laws of the Country
(including the introduction of new Laws and the
repeal or modification of existing Laws) or in the
judicial or official governmental interpretation of such
Laws, made after the Base Date, which affect the
Contractor in the performance of obligations under
the Contract.
If the Contractor suffers (or will suffer) delay and/or
incurs (or will incur) additional Cost as a result of
these changes in the Laws or in such inter-
pretations, made after the Base Date, the
Completion ], and
the Contract.
Completion ], and
the Contract.
Completion ], and
CONS P&DB EPCT
13.7 Adjustment for Changes in Legislation
Sub-Clause 13.6 empowers the Engineer under CONS/P&DB and the Employer
under EPCT to instruct that "a Variation shall" be executed on a daywork basis.
Unless the Parties agree otherwise, the provisions in the Sub-Clause do not
therefore apply to work which is not "a Variation", nor to work which the
Contractor executed prior to receiving an instruction that it "shall" (in the future)
be executed on a daywork basis. However, evaluation on a daywork basis is
frequently considered to be a convenient and readily agreed method of evaluation
of work of a minor or incidental nature.
RB 70.2 & 71.1; YB 35.2 & 47.2; OB 13.16
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This Sub-Clause protects the Parties from the consequences of changes in
legislation in the Country, made after the Base Date. No protection is provided in
respect of changes in the laws of other countries. It may be necessary to obtain
legal advice as to whether a particular event constitutes a "change:
- in the Laws of the Country (including the introduction of new Laws and the
repeal or modification of existing Laws) or
- in the judicial or official governmental interpretation of such Laws".
Under the first paragraph, the Contract Price is to be adjusted to take account of
any such change. If the change delays the Contractor and/or increases his Cost, he
is required to give notice under the second paragraph. The notice should be given
within 28 days after he became aware of the circumstances, in accordance with the
first paragraph of Sub-Clause 20.1. If the change decreases the Contractor's Cost
and the Employer considers himself to be entitled to a reduction in the Contract
Price, the Employer is required to give notice under Sub-Clause 2.5.
Notices should be given "as soon as practicable". CONS/P&DB 1.3 requires the
Contractor to send a copy of his notices to the Employer.
8.4 and 20.1.
Under sub-paragraph (b), the final Contract Price is to include the "additional Cost
as a result of these changes in the Laws or in such interpretations". As with other
provisions which describe the Contractor's entitlements, such additional Cost
must only be included once, namely without duplication. In this case, it would be
inappropriate for the final Contract Price to include a specific element of additional
Cost under Sub-Clause 13.7(b), if and to the extent that such additional Cost has
already been included in the adjustments made in accordance with Sub-Clause
13.8.
CONS P&DB EPCT
13.8 Adjustment for Changes in Cost
In this Sub-Clause, "table of adjustment data"
means the completed table of adjustment data
included in the Appendix to Tender. If there is no
such table of adjustment data, this Sub-Clause
shall not apply.
If this Sub-Clause applies, the amounts payable to
the Contractor shall be adjusted for rises or falls in the
cost of labour, Goods and other inputs to the Works,
by the addition or deduction of the amounts
determined by the formulae prescribed in this Sub-
Clause. To the extent that full compensation for any
rise or fall in Costs is not covered by the provisions of
this or other Clauses, the Accepted Contract Amount
shall be deemed to have included amounts to cover
the contingency of other rises and falls in costs.
The adjustment to be applied to the amount
otherwise payable to the Contractor, as valued in
In this Sub-Clause, "table of adjustment data"
means the completed table of adjustment data
included in the Appendix to Tender. If there is no
such table of adjustment data, this Sub-Clause
shall not apply.
If this Sub-Clause applies, the amounts payable to
the Contractor shall be adjusted for rises or falls in the
cost of labour, Goods and other inputs to the Works,
by the addition or deduction of the amounts
determined by the formulae prescribed in this Sub-
Clause. To the extent that full compensation for any
rise or fall in Costs is not covered by the provisions of
this or other Clauses, the Accepted Contract Amount
shall be deemed to have included amounts to cover
the contingency of other rises and falls in costs.
The adjustment to be applied to the amount
otherwise payable to the Contractor, as valued in
If the Contract Price is to be adjusted for rises or
falls in the cost of labour, Goods and other inputs
to the Works, the adjustments shall be calculated in
accordance with the provisions in the Particular
Conditions.
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accordance with the appropriate Schedule and
certified in Payment Certificates, shall be determined
from formulae for each of the currencies in which
the Contract Price is payable. No adjustment is to
be applied to work valued on the basis of Cost or
current prices. The formulae shall be of the following
general type:
Pn = a + b Ln + c En + d Mn +...
Lo Eo Mo
where:
"Pn" is the adjustment multiplier to be applied
to the estimated contract value in the relevant
currency of the work carried out in period "n",
this period being a month unless otherwise
stated in the Appendix to Tender;
"a" is a fixed coefficient, stated in the relevant
table of adjustment data, representing the non-
adjustable portion in contractual payments;
"b", "c", "d", … are coefficients representing
the estimated proportion of each cost
element related to the execution of the
Works, as stated in the relevant table of
adjustment data; such tabulated cost
elements may be indicative of resources such
as labour, equipment and materials;
"Ln", "En", "Mn", … are the current cost
indices or reference prices for period "n",
expressed in the relevant currency of payment,
each of which is applicable to the relevant
tabulated cost element on the date 49 days
prior to the last day of the period (to which the
particular Payment Certificate relates); and
"Lo", "Eo", "Mo", … are the base cost
indices or reference prices, expressed in the
relevant currency of payment, each of which
accordance with the appropriate Schedule and
certified in Payment Certificates, shall be determined
from formulae for each of the currencies in which
the Contract Price is payable. No adjustment is to
be applied to work valued on the basis of Cost or
current prices. The formulae shall be of the following
general type:
Pn = a + b Ln + c En + d Mn +...
Lo Eo Mo
where:
"Pn" is the adjustment multiplier to be applied
to the estimated contract value in the relevant
currency of the work carried out in period "n",
this period being a month unless otherwise
stated in the Appendix to Tender;
"a" is a fixed coefficient, stated in the relevant
table of adjustment data, representing the non-
adjustable portion in contractual payments;
"b", "c", "d", … are coefficients representing
the estimated proportion of each cost
element related to the execution of the
Works, as stated in the relevant table of
adjustment data; such tabulated cost
elements may be indicative of resources such
as labour, equipment and materials;
"Ln", "En", "Mn", … are the current cost
indices or reference prices for period "n",
expressed in the relevant currency of payment,
each of which is applicable to the relevant
tabulated cost element on the date 49 days
prior to the last day of the period (to which the
particular Payment Certificate relates); and
"Lo", "Eo", "Mo", … are the base cost
indices or reference prices, expressed in the
relevant currency of payment, each of which
CONS P&DB EPCT
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is applicable to the relevant tabulated cost
element on the Base Date.
The cost indices or reference prices stated in the
table of adjustment data shall be used. If their
source is in doubt, it shall be determined by the
Engineer. For this purpose, reference shall be made
to the values of the indices at stated dates (quoted
in the fourth and fifth columns respectively of the
table) for the purposes of clarification of the source;
although these dates (and thus these values) may
not correspond to the base cost indices.
In cases where the "currency of index" (stated in the
table) is not the relevant currency of payment, each
index shall be converted into the relevant currency
of payment at the selling rate, established by the
central bank of the Country, of this relevant currency
on the above date for which the index is required to
be applicable.
Until such time as each current cost index is
available, the Engineer shall determine a provisional
index for the issue of Interim Payment Certificates.
When a current cost index is available, the
adjustment shall be recalculated accordingly.
If the Contractor fails to complete the Works within
the Time for Completion, adjustment of prices
thereafter shall be made using either (i) each index
or price applicable on the date 49 days prior to the
expiry of the Time for Completion of the Works, or
(ii) the current index or price: whichever is more
favourable to the Employer.
The weightings (coefficients) for each of the factors
of cost stated in the table(s) of adjustment data shall
only be adjusted if they have been rendered
unreasonable, unbalanced or inapplicable, as a
result of Variations.
is applicable to the relevant tabulated cost
element on the Base Date.
The cost indices or reference prices stated in the
table of adjustment data shall be used. If their
source is in doubt, it shall be determined by the
Engineer. For this purpose, reference shall be made
to the values of the indices at stated dates (quoted
in the fourth and fifth columns respectively of the
table) for the purposes of clarification of the source;
although these dates (and thus these values) may
not correspond to the base cost indices.
In cases where the "currency of index" (stated in the
table) is not the relevant currency of payment, each
index shall be converted into the relevant currency
of payment at the selling rate, established by the
central bank of the Country, of this relevant currency
on the above date for which the index is required to
be applicable.
Until such time as each current cost index is
available, the Engineer shall determine a provisional
index for the issue of Interim Payment Certificates.
When a current cost index is available, the
adjustment shall be recalculated accordingly.
If the Contractor fails to complete the Works within
the Time for Completion, adjustment of prices
thereafter shall be made using either (i) each index
or price applicable on the date 49 days prior to the
expiry of the Time for Completion of the Works, or
(ii) the current index or price: whichever is more
favourable to the Employer.
The weightings (coefficients) for each of the factors
of cost stated in the table(s) of adjustment data shall
only be adjusted if they have been rendered
unreasonable, unbalanced or inapplicable, as a
result of Variations.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 70.1; YB 47.1
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For each index, the source and title/definition should be stated in each table.
Typically, tenderers will not know the value as at the Base Date, unless (unusually)
its value is published immediately before the tender submission date. Therefore,
the fourth column of the table may be used to define the value of the index at
another recent date, which is then inserted in the fifth column. This "recent date"
does not become a substitute Base Date, and is only used as a reference linked
to the index's value which is stated in the fourth column. Knowing that the index
had a certain value on a certain date, the Engineer should be able to examine the
published "source of index" and determine the index which has the published
"title/definition" stated in the table and had such value on such date. This purpose
is clarified in the fifth from last paragraph of the Sub-Clause, which follows
immediately after the definitions of the expressions used in the formula.
For each index, the "country of origin" and "currency of index" should be stated in
each table. Typically, this country will be that of the "currency of index" but may
not be the same as the particular currency of payment to which the table relates.
For example, the Contractor may incur Costs in many currencies but only be paid
in one Foreign Currency. Bearing in mind that each index reflects costs in a
particular currency, it is necessary to convert indices from the "currency of index"
to the "currency of payment" (unless these currencies are the same) in
accordance with the fourth from last paragraph of the Sub-Clause.
The adjustment multiplier "Pn" is "to be applied to the estimated contract value".
Note that Pn will usually exceed "1" and is a multiplier. In order to calculate an
amount to be added, as indicated in Sub-Clause 14.3(b), then the mathematical
expression (Pn - 1) must be multiplied by the estimated "contract value" of the
work carried out in period "n". This "contract value" is the value in accordance with
the Contract, namely the applicable part of the Contract Price defined in Sub-
Clause 14.1(a). The expression "contract value" is also used in Sub-Clause 14.3(a)
and at the end of CONS/P&DB 14.5.
This Sub-Clause provides formulae to adjust the contract values to reflect
escalation of costs due to inflation. No such formulae are included in EPCT, which
is intended to place greater risk on the Contractor. If an EPCT contract is to
include the formulae, the provisions in P&DB 13.8 may be incorporated, by
reference, with appropriate adjustments to the wording in respect of defined
words and phrases: "Engineer" and "Appendix to Tender", for example. The
remaining comments on this Sub-Clause apply to CONS and P&DB only.
Under CONS or P&DB, the formulae require data which is to be specified in a
table of adjustment data for each payment currency, the tables being included in
the Appendix to Tender. For a fixed-price contract where no adjustments are to be
made for escalation of costs, it is only necessary for there to be no such table in
the Appendix to Tender. However, it is better to include a statement like "Sub-
Clause 13.8 not applicable", in order to clarify the Parties' intentions.
The example Appendix to Tender published at the end of CONS and P&DB
illustrates the format of each table of adjustment data. It must define the
coefficients (proportions) and cost indices (reference prices) which are to be used
to adjust the other amounts included in each currency in each Payment
Certificate. Typically, the Employer will have defined the fixed (non-adjustable)
coefficient "a" before the tender documents are issued to tenderers, but may
prefer each tenderer to define the other coefficients and all the sources of the cost
indices in the table for each currency, so that they can fairly reflect:
- the proportions of Cost (for example, different tenderers may anticipate
different percentages for labour and equipment), and
- the sources of the cost indices (each of which should relate to the currency
of Cost, which may also differ between tenderers).
The total of the proportions (b + c + d + … etc.) in each table of adjustment data
must be checked mathematically to ensure that it does not exceed (1 - a).
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(a) the Contract Price shall be agreed or
determined under Sub-Clause 12.3
[ Evaluation ] and be subject to adjustments in
accordance with the Contract;
(b) the Contractor shall pay all taxes, duties and
fees required to be paid by him under the
Contract, and the Contract Price shall not be
adjusted for any of these costs except as
stated in Sub-Clause 13.7 [ Adjustments for
Changes in Legislation ];
(c) any quantities which may be set out in the Bill
of Quantities or other Schedule are estimated
quantities and are not to be taken as the
actual and correct quantities:
(i) of the Works which the Contractor is
required to execute, or
(ii) for the purposes of Clause 12
[ Measurement and Evaluation ]; and
(d) the Contractor shall submit to the Engineer,
within 28 days after the Commencement
Date, a proposed breakdown of each lump
sum price in the Schedules. The Engineer
may take account of the breakdown when
preparing Payment Certificates, but shall not
be bound by it.
(a) the Contract Price shall be the lump sum
Accepted Contract Amount and be subject to
adjustments in accordance with the Contract;
adjusted for any of these costs, except as
Changes in Legislation ];
(c) any quantities which may be set out in a
Schedule are estimated quantities and are
not to be taken as the actual and correct
quantities of the Works which the Contractor
is required to execute; and
(d) any quantities or price data which may be set
out in a Schedule shall be used for the
purposes stated in the Schedule and may be
inapplicable for other purposes.
However, if any part of the Works is to be paid
according to quantity supplied or work done, the
provisions for measurement and evaluation shall be
as stated in the Particular Conditions. The Contract
Price shall be determined accordingly, subject to
adjustments in accordance with the Contract.
(a) payment for the Works shall be made on the
basis of the lump sum Contract Price, subject
to adjustments in accordance with the
Contract; and
adjusted for any of these costs, except as
Changes in Legislation ].
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.1 The Contract Price
RB 55 & 57.2; YB 33.8 & 48.1; OB 13.1
Clause 14 Contract Price and Payment
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This Sub-Clause sets out the fundamental principles of the Contract as regards
money, which differ between the three Books.
Under CONS or P&DB, Sub-Clause 1.1.4.2 states that the Contract Price is
defined in Sub-Clause 14.1. CONS 14.1(a) defines the Contract Price by reference
to Sub-Clause 12.3, to the effect that the Works are to be valued by
measurement. P&DB 14.1(a) defines the Contract Price as being the same as the
(lump sum) Accepted Contract Amount. In both Books, the definitions are subject
to any contrary provisions contained in the Particular Conditions, and the Contract
Price includes adjustments under other Sub-Clauses. Under CONS or P&DB,
which define a fixed "Accepted Contract Amount", the General Conditions
describes the Contractor's entitlements to additional Costs in terms of such
adjustments being "included in the Contract Price".
The Contractor's entitlements are briefly summarised in a Table in this Guide, at
the end of the commentary on Clause 3.
Under EPCT, Sub-Clause 1.1.4.1 defines the Contract Price as the agreed
amount stated in the Contract, subject to adjustments in accordance with the
Contract, without any reference to Sub-Clause 14.1. EPCT 14.1(a) does not
therefore define the Contract Price, but simply refers to it being the lump sum
upon which payments are based. EPCT refers to the accepted contract amount
as the "Contract Price stated in the Contract Agreement" and describes the
Contractor's entitlements to additional Costs in terms of such adjustments being
"added to the Contract Price".
Sub-paragraph (b) confirms that the Contractor pays duties and taxes under
other provisions of the Contract: see Sub-Clause 1.13. The Contract Price is thus
deemed to include these taxes and duties, together with associated
administrative Costs, based on the rates applicable at the Base Date. If the rates
of duty/tax increase after the Base Date, Sub-Clause 13.7 applies. Note that
Sub-Clause 14.1 commences with the words "Unless otherwise stated in the
Particular Conditions", which may include contrary provisions under which the
Contractor may be entitled to exemption from, or to reimbursement of, taxes
and/or duties.
CONS 14.1(c) states that the quantities in the Bill of Quantities are only estimates.
They do not define the extent of the Contractor's obligations to execute the
Works, and they are not to be assumed to be correct for the purposes of final
measurement. However, if the final measurement results in a quantity which is less
than 90%, or more than 110%, of the quantity stated in the Bill of Quantities
included in the Contract, the criterion in Sub-Clause 12.3(a)(i) is satisfied and
either Party should consider whether the criteria in Sub-Clause 12.3(a)(ii) to (iv)
have also been satisfied.
P&DB 14.1(c) similarly states that quantities (if any) which may be stated in a
Schedule are only estimates and do not define the extent of the Contractor's
obligations. Under this lump sum form of Contract, the Contractor bears the risk
of the quantities being different to his estimates. If any quantities are included in a
Schedule, it should be clear as to who estimated the quantities and for what
purpose they are included in the Contract. Sub-paragraph (d) prevents them being
used for unintended purposes, such as when either Party seeks to adjust the
Contract Price because of an increase or decrease in a quantity.
Under P&DB, the contract documents should therefore not include a Bill of
Quantities unless its purpose is clearly stated. If a Bill of Quantities is included, so
that part of the Works can be paid according to quantity supplied or work done,
the provisions for measurement and evaluation must be stated in the Particular
Conditions, in accordance with the final paragraph of P&DB 14.1.
Under EPCT, the contract documents do not include "Schedules", so EPCT does
not contain provisions similar to P&DB 14.1(c)&(d). If part of the Works is to be
paid according to quantity supplied or work done, appropriate provisions must be
included in the Particular Conditions.
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.2 Advance Payment
The Employer shall make an advance payment, as
an interest-free loan for mobilisation, when the
Contractor submits a guarantee in accordance with
an interest-free loan for mobilisation and design,
when the Contractor submits a guarantee in
an interest-free loan for mobilization and design,
when the Contractor submits a guarantee in
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this Sub-Clause. The total advance payment, the
number and timing of instalments (if more than one),
and the applicable currencies and proportions, shall
be as stated in the Appendix to Tender.
Unless and until the Employer receives this
guarantee, or if the total advance payment is not
stated in the Appendix to Tender, this Sub-Clause
shall not apply.
The Engineer shall issue an Interim Payment
Certificate for the first instalment after receiving a
Statement (under Sub-Clause 14.3 [ Application for
Interim Payment Certificates ]) and after the
Employer receives (i) the Performance Security in
accordance with Sub-Clause 4.2 [ Performance
Security ] and (ii) a guarantee in amounts and
currencies equal to the advance payment. This
guarantee shall be issued by an entity and from
within a country (or other jurisdiction) approved by
the Employer, and shall be in the form annexed to
the Particular Conditions or in another form
approved by the Employer.
The Contractor shall ensure that the guarantee is
valid and enforceable until the advance payment
has been repaid, but its amount may be
progressively reduced by the amount repaid by the
Contractor as indicated in the Payment
Certificates. If the terms of the guarantee specify
its expiry date, and the advance payment has not
accordance with this Sub-Clause. The total advance
payment, the number and timing of instalments (if
more than one), and the applicable currencies and
proportions, shall be as stated in the Appendix to
Tender.
Unless and until the Employer receives this
guarantee, or if the total advance payment is not
stated in the Appendix to Tender, this Sub-Clause
shall not apply.
The Engineer shall issue an Interim Payment
Certificate for the first instalment after receiving a
Statement (under Sub-Clause 14.3 [ Application for
Interim Payment Certificates ]) and after the
Employer receives (i) the Performance Security in
accordance with Sub-Clause 4.2 [ Performance
Security ] and (ii) a guarantee in amounts and
currencies equal to the advance payment. This
guarantee shall be issued by an entity and from
within a country (or other jurisdiction) approved by
the Employer, and shall be in the form annexed to
the Particular Conditions or in another form
approved by the Employer.
Contractor as indicated in the Payment
Certificates. If the terms of the guarantee specify
its expiry date, and the advance payment has not
accordance with this Sub-Clause including the
details stated in the Particular Conditions. If the
Particular Conditions does not state:
(a) the amount of the advance payment, then
this Sub-Clause shall not apply;
(b) the number and timing of instalments, then
there shall be only one;
(c) the applicable currencies and proportions,
then they shall be those in which the
Contract Price is payable; and/or
(d) the amortisation rate for repayments, then it
shall be calculated by dividing the total
amount of the advance payment by the
Contract Price stated in the Contract
Agreement less Provisional Sums.
The Employer shall pay the first instalment after
receiving (i) a Statement (under Sub-Clause 14.3
[ Application for Interim Payments ]), (ii) the
Clause 4.2 [ Performance Security ], and (iii) a
guarantee in amounts and currencies equal to the
advance payment. This guarantee shall be issued
by an entity and from within a country (or other
jurisdiction) approved by the Employer, and shall be
in the form annexed to the Particular Conditions or
in another form approved by the Employer. Unless
and until the Employer receives this guarantee, this
Sub-Clause shall not apply.
Contractor. If the terms of the guarantee specify its
expiry date, and the advance payment has not been
repaid by the date 28 days prior to the expiry date,
CONS P&DB EPCT
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been repaid by the date 28 days prior to the expiry
date, the Contractor shall extend the validity of the
guarantee until the advance payment has been
repaid.
The advance payment shall be repaid through
percentage deductions in Payment Certificates.
Unless other percentages are stated in the
Appendix to Tender:
(a) deductions shall commence in the Payment
Certificate in which the total of all certified
interim payments (excluding the advance
payment and deductions and repayments of
retention) exceeds ten per cent (10%) of the
Accepted Contract Amount less Provisional
Sums; and
(b) deductions shall be made at the amortisation
rate of one quarter (25%) of the amount of
each Payment Certificate (excluding the
advance payment and deductions and
repayments of retention) in the currencies and
proportions of the advance payment, until
such time as the advance payment has been
repaid.
If the advance payment has not been repaid prior
to the issue of the Taking-Over Certificate for the
Works or prior to termination under Clause 15
[ Termination by Employer ], Clause 16 [ Suspension
and Termination by Contractor ] or Clause 19
[ Force Majeure ] (as the case may be), the whole
of the balance then outstanding shall immediately
become due and payable by the Contractor to the
Employer.
been repaid by the date 28 days prior to the expiry
date, the Contractor shall extend the validity of the
repaid.
percentage deductions in Payment Certificates.
Unless other percentages are stated in the
Appendix to Tender:
(a) deductions shall commence in the Payment
Certificate in which the total of all certified
interim payments (excluding the advance
payment and deductions and repayments of
retention) exceeds ten per cent (10%) of the
Accepted Contract Amount less Provisional
Sums; and
(b) deductions shall be made at the amortisation
rate of one quarter (25%) of the amount of
each Payment Certificate (excluding the
advance payment and deductions and
repayments of retention) in the currencies and
proportions of the advance payment, until
such time as the advance payment has been
repaid.
If the advance payment has not been repaid prior
to the issue of the Taking-Over Certificate for the
and Termination by Contractor ] or Clause 19
[ Force Majeure ] (as the case may be), the whole
of the balance then outstanding shall immediately
Employer.
the Contractor shall extend the validity of the
repaid.
proportional deductions in interim payments.
Deductions shall be made at the amortization rate
stated in the Particular Conditions (or, if not so
stated, as stated in sub-paragraph (d) above), which
shall be applied to the amount otherwise due
(excluding the advance payment and deductions
and repayments of retention), until such time as the
advance payment has been repaid.
If the advance payment has not been repaid prior to
the issue of the Taking-Over Certificate for the
and Termination by Contractor ] or Clause 19 [
Force Majeure ] (as the case may be), the whole of
the balance then outstanding shall immediately
Employer.
CONS P&DB EPCT
OB 13.2
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the forms of Performance Security considered in the commentary on Sub-Clause
4.2. The example form incorporates (by reference) Uniform Rules prepared for the
International Chamber of Commerce ("ICC", 38 Cours Albert 1er, 75008 Paris,
France) which has issued the following publications:
- 458: Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees ("URDG", 1992), and
- 510: Guide to the ICC Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees
(Professor Roy Goode, 1992).
However, Sub-Clause 14.2 is considered appropriate for use with any form of
advance payment guarantee, and not just with FIDIC's example form.
Guarantees and other forms of security must be drafted with care, taking account
of the law by which they will be governed, and preferably by lawyers familiar with
such law.
Sub-Clause 14.7(a) specifies when the first instalment of the advance is to be paid.
When entering into the Contract, the Employer will typically be able to calculate the
amount of this first payment, and should immediately initiate arrangements for
making prompt payment.
The guarantee is required to be valid until the advance payment has been
repaid. Whilst the Employer may prefer it not to state its expiry date, the issuing
entity may seek to insist on a stated expiry date. Sub-Clause 14.2 therefore
requires the guarantee to be extended if, 28 days before its expiry date, the
advance has not been repaid in full. When it is originally issued, and whenever
it is eventually extended, the expiry date should take account of possible delays
to completion.
If the advance has not been repaid by the date 28 days before the guarantee
expires, and the Contractor fails to extend it, Sub-Clause 14.2 entitles the
Employer to call the guarantee. This entitlement is of no effect unless the wording
of the actual guarantee, as originally procured by the Contractor and approved by
the Employer, itself imposes an obligation on the guarantor to pay the Employer.
The period of 28 days is specified so as to allow the Employer a reasonable period
within which to make the necessary arrangements for the call (including, possibly,
giving the Contractor a few days' grace).
If the Employer becomes entitled to call the guarantee by reason of this failure to
extend it, the Employer may be entitled to claim its current amount, namely the
unpaid balance of the advance, and then proceed on the basis that the advance
has been repaid by the guarantor.
For this Sub-Clause to be applicable, the amount of the advance(s) must be
specified in:
- CONS' or P&DB's Appendix to Tender, either as a sum or as a percentage
of the Accepted Contract Amount; or
- EPCT's Particular Conditions, either as a sum or as a percentage of "the
Contract Price stated in the Contract Agreement", including currencies and
proportions. Note that reference cannot only be made to EPCT's "Contract
Price" because it may be adjusted (under Clause 13, for example) during the
contract period.
Although the Sub-Clause states that it does not apply if the amount is not so
specified, it is preferable for the words "not applicable" to be stated in CONS' or
P&DB's Appendix to Tender or in EPCT's Particular Conditions, if the Contractor is
not to receive any advance payment.
If the number and timing of instalments is not mentioned, all the advance will be
paid in one instalment, and in accordance with Sub-Clause 14.7(a).
Whenever the Contractor is required to be paid prior to the Employer having
received anything in return, the Employer will probably (as here) require some
security for his outlay. This security is to be in the form of a guarantee, which is to
be issued by an entity approved by the Employer. It is required to be in the form
annexed to the Particular Conditions, or in another form approved by the Employer.
The Particular Conditions should therefore include details of the Employer's
requirements regarding the entity, and the details (in an annex) of the specified
form.
Sub-Clause 1.3 requires approvals to be given in writing and not unreasonably
withheld. The reasonableness of withholding an approval will depend upon the
extent to which the guarantee, and the guarantor which issued it, comply with the
requirements specified in or annexed to the Particular Conditions. If a form was
annexed, the Employer cannot insist upon "another form approved by the
Employer". This "another form" is an alternative option for the Contractor. If the
Contractor opts to seek the Employer's approval of a form other than that which is
annexed to the Particular Conditions, it may be reasonable for the Employer to
withhold approval of a form which is less favourable to the Employer than the
annexed form.
FIDIC's example form of advance payment guarantee (see Annex E to each GPPC)
is a conditional demand form of independent guarantee, which is similar to one of
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The Contractor shall submit a Statement in six
copies to the Engineer after the end of each month,
in a form approved by the Engineer, showing in
detail the amounts to which the Contractor
considers himself to be entitled, together with
supporting documents which shall include the
report on the progress during this month in
accordance with Sub-Clause 4.21 [ Progress
Reports ].
The Statement shall include the following items, as
applicable, which shall be expressed in the various
currencies in which the Contract Price is payable, in
the sequence listed:
(a) the estimated contract value of the Works
executed and the Contractor’s Documents
produced up to the end of the month
(including Variations but excluding items
described in sub-paragraphs (b) to (g) below);
(b) any amounts to be added and deducted for
changes in legislation and changes in cost, in
[ Adjustments for Changes in Legislation ] and
Sub-Clause 13.8 [ Adjustments for Changes
in Cost ];
(c) any amount to be deducted for retention,
calculated by applying the percentage of
retention stated in the Appendix to Tender to
the total of the above amounts, until the
amount so retained by the Employer reaches
the limit of Retention Money (if any) stated in
the Appendix to Tender;
(d) any amounts to be added and deducted for
copies to the Engineer after the end of the period of
payment stated in the Contract (if not stated, after
the end of each month), in a form approved by the
Engineer, showing in detail the amounts to which
the Contractor considers himself to be entitled,
together with supporting documents which shall
include the relevant report on progress in
Reports ].
executed and the Contractor's Documents
described in sub-paragraphs (b) to (g) below);
in Cost ];
retention stated in the Appendix to Tender to
the Appendix to Tender;
copies to the Employer after the end of the period
of payment stated in the Contract (if not stated,
after the end of each month), in a form approved by
the Employer, showing in detail the amounts to
which the Contractor considers himself to be
entitled, together with supporting documents which
shall include the relevant report on progress in
Reports ].
executed and the Contractor's Documents
described in sub-paragraphs (b) to (f) below);
in Cost ];
retention stated in the Particular Conditions to
the Particular Conditions;
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.3 Application for Interim Payment Certificates 14.3 Application for Interim Payments
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Unless and until the Contractor submits the Statement, progress report and other
necessary supporting documents, the period within which payment is to be made
does not commence: see Sub-Clause 14.7(b). However, Sub-Clause 14.6 does
not permit certification or payment to be withheld if the Contractor has not
provided the appropriate document in support of part of his Statement. In these
circumstances, the Engineer (under CONS/P&DB) or Employer (under EPCT)
should immediately request prompt submission of the appropriate supporting
document. Unless it is submitted promptly, certification or payment should then
proceed, excluding the items in the Statement for which such documents have
not been submitted.
Most of the payment will typically be due under sub-paragraph (a), for the
"contract value" of the Works executed to date. This "contract value" is their value
in accordance with the Contract, namely the applicable part of the Contract Price,
in accordance with Sub-Clause 14.1(a). The expression "contract value" is also
used in CONS/P&DB 13.8 (fourth paragraph) and 14.5 (last paragraph).
Under CONS, the contract value is thus determined in accordance with Sub-
Clause 12.3, by measurement of the quantities of the work executed to date,
unless a schedule of payments brings Sub-Clause 14.4(a) into effect. As regards
the accuracy of calculation of these quantities, there seems little point in
the advance payment and repayments in
accordance with Sub-Clause 14.2 [ Advance
Payment ];
(e) any amounts to be added and deducted for
Plant and Materials in accordance with Sub-
Clause 14.5 [ Plant and Materials intended for
the Works ];
(f) any other additions or deductions which may
have become due under the Contract or
otherwise, including those under Clause 20
[ Claims, Disputes and Arbitration ]; and
(g) the deduction of amounts certified in all
previous Payment Certificates.
Payment ];
(e) any amounts to be added and deducted for
Plant and Materials in accordance with Sub-
Clause 14.5 [ Plant and Materials intended for
the Works ];
(f) any other additions or deductions which may
(g) the deduction of amounts certified in all
previous Payment Certificates.
Payment ];
(e) any other additions or deductions which may
(f) the deduction of amounts included in
previous Statements.
This Sub-Clause entitles the Contractor to a payment for the work executed
during each period of payment. The period is to be each calendar month, except
that P&DB/EPCT refers to the option of other periods being stated in the Contract.
For example, Sub-Clause 14.4 describes schedules of payments, which may
define longer periods of payment.
Each application is to be sent to the Engineer under CONS/P&DB or to the
Employer under EPCT, in the form which he has previously approved. When
considering what form to approve, he should take account of the need to
facilitate his rapid checking of the various amounts, and take account of the
financial provisions in the Contract on which the amounts are to be based. He
should allow the Contractor to utilise any computerised system with which the
Contractor's staff are familiar, provided it produces clear and comprehensible
Statements.
Each Statement must be accompanied (or preceded) by supporting documents,
which also need to take account of these financial provisions. These documents
are required to include the progress report specified in Sub-Clause 4.21, for the
relevant period. In other words, a Statement covering work executed up to the
end of a month must be accompanied or preceded by reports which contain all
the data specified in Sub-Clause 4.21.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 60.1 & 60.2; YB 33.2; OB 13.3
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If the Contract includes a schedule of payments
specifying the instalments in which the Contract
Price will be paid, then unless otherwise stated in
this schedule:
(a) the instalments quoted in this schedule of
payments shall be the estimated contract
values for the purposes of sub-paragraph (a)
of Sub-Clause 14.3 [ Application for Interim
Payment Certificates ];
(b) Sub-Clause 14.5 [ Plant and Materials
intended for the Works ] shall not apply; and
(c) if these instalments are not defined by
reference to the actual progress achieved in
executing the Works, and if actual progress is
found to be less than that on which this
schedule of payments was based, then the
Engineer may proceed in accordance with
Sub-Clause 3.5 [ Determinations ] to agree or
determine revised instalments, which shall
take account of the extent to which progress
is less than that on which the instalments
were previously based.
If the Contract includes a Schedule of Payments
this Schedule:
(a) the instalments quoted in this Schedule of
Payments shall be the estimated contract
Payment Certificates ];
(b) Sub-Clause 14.5 [ Plant and Materials
intended for the Works ] shall not apply; and
(c) if these instalments are not defined by
found to be less than that on which this
Schedule of Payments was based, then the
Engineer may proceed in accordance with
If the Contract includes a Schedule of Payments
this Schedule:
(a) the instalments quoted in the Schedule of
Payments shall be the estimated contract
Payments ], subject to Sub-Clause 14.5 [ Plant
and Materials intended for the Works ]; and
(b) if these instalments are not defined by
found to be less than that on which the
Schedule of Payments was based, then the
Employer may proceed in accordance with
calculating to an accuracy much better than the contract value of the work
executed per week, in view of the duration of the payment procedures.
Under P&DB or EPCT, the contract value will typically be the applicable parts of
various lump sums. The difficulty, which has to be addressed when preparing
tender documents for a lump sum contract, is the determination of such a
contract value. Clearly, estimating cannot be left to be determined by one of the
Parties; and it should not be left to be determined by P&DB's Engineer because
tenderers cannot then predict cash flow and consequential financing costs with
any degree of reliability. The tender documents should define how interim
payments are to be assessed. It is preferable, but not essential, for lump sum
contracts to include a Schedule of Payments, specifying the amounts due based
upon the actual progress achieved in executing the Works.
Under EPCT, the final deduction is described as being the total of previous
Statements. The Contractor might prefer to deduct the total of previous
payments, but in practice he may not have received payment under the most
recent previous Statement. In any event, it should be self-evident that he will
actually be applying for a further payment which would bring the total of all
payments up to his requested total, before the final deduction.
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.4 Schedule of Payments
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falls behind (but not if it is ahead of) the programme on which the Schedule was
based, it may be amended subject to Sub-Clause 3.5. With the exception of self-
evident errors in the original Schedule, these amendments should only "take
account of the extent to which progress is less than that on which the instalments
were previously based".
Sub-Clause 14.4(a) clarifies that the figures in the schedule of payments are to
be used to determine the "contract value" under Sub-Clause 14.3(a). This
contract value is thus subject to additions and deductions under the other sub-
paragraphs of Sub-Clause 14.3, including the deduction of retention under
14.3(c).
A schedule of payments allows both Parties to plan their likely cash flow.
Therefore, CONS/P&DB 14.4(b) invalidates Sub-Clause 14.5, which would
otherwise have introduced a variable aspect of cash flow. However, the schedule
of payments may state that Sub-Clause 14.5 will apply.
If there is no such schedule of payments, the last paragraph requires the
Contractor to submit non-binding estimates every three months. They should
tabulate his estimate of the payment to which he expects to become entitled
during each quarterly period for the duration of the Contract. Unless instructed
otherwise, the Contractor would be entitled to assume that "quarterly period"
means January-March, April-June, July-September and October-December.
Neither Party will be bound by the Contractor's estimates, so there is no reason
for him to be required to amend them.
If the Contract does not include a schedule of
payments, the Contractor shall submit non-
binding estimates of the payments which he
expects to become due during each quarterly
period. The first estimate shall be submitted within
42 days after the Commencement Date. Revised
estimates shall be submitted at quarterly intervals,
until the Taking-Over Certificate has been issued
for the Works.
If the Contract does not include a Schedule of
Payments, the Contractor shall submit non-
for the Works.
If the Contract does not include a Schedule of
Payments, the Contractor shall submit non-
for the Works.
Except for its last paragraph, this Sub-Clause only becomes applicable if interim
payments are to be based on a Schedule of Payments. No such Schedule is
defined under CONS 1.1.1, because interim payments under such a contract are
typically based upon monthly measurement of quantities of work, applying the
rates and prices from a Bill of Quantities. However, a schedule of payments may
sometimes be considered appropriate for a contract under CONS.
Under P&DB or EPCT, the Schedule of Payments could be in one of the following
forms:
- An amount (or percentage of the estimated final Contract Price) could be
entered for each month or other period of payment, during the Time for
Completion. However, this principle is not recommended, because
payment instalments can become unreasonable if the Contractor's
progress differs significantly from the expectation on which the Schedule
was based. The final sub-paragraph of Sub-Clause 14.4 therefore specifies
that this type of Schedule can be adjusted to take account of actual
progress.
- The Schedule could be based on actual progress achieved in executing the
Works, i.e., on completion of defined milestones. This method is
considered preferable, but it necessitates careful definition of the payment
milestones. Disagreements may arise when the work required for a
payment milestone is nearly achieved but the balance cannot be completed
until some months later.
In the first case, where there is an amount for each period of payment, if progress
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 14.3; OB 13.4
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If this Sub-Clause applies, Interim Payment
Certificates shall include, under sub-paragraph (e)
of Sub-Clause 14.3, (i) an amount for Plant and
Materials which have been sent to the Site for
incorporation in the Permanent Works, and (ii) a
reduction when the contract value of such Plant
and Materials is included as part of the Permanent
Works under sub-paragraph (a) of Sub-
Clause 14.3 [ Application for Interim Payment
Certificates ].
If the lists referred to in sub-paragraphs (b)(i) or (c)(i)
below are not included in the Appendix to Tender,
this Sub-Clause shall not apply.
The Engineer shall determine and certify each
addition if the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) the Contractor has:
(i) kept satisfactory records (including the
orders, receipts, Costs and use of Plant
and Materials) which are available for
inspection, and
(ii) submitted a statement of the Cost of
acquiring and delivering the Plant and
Materials to the Site, supported by satis-
factory evidence;
and either:
(b) the relevant Plant and Materials:
(i) are those listed in the Appendix to Tender
for payment when shipped,
(ii) have been shipped to the Country, en
route to the Site, in accordance with the
Contract; and
If this Sub-Clause applies, Interim Payment
Certificates shall include, under sub-paragraph (e)
of Sub-Clause 14.3, (i) an amount for Plant and
Materials which have been sent to the Site for
incorporation in the Permanent Works, and (ii) a
reduction when the contract value of such Plant
and Materials is included as part of the Permanent
Works under sub-paragraph (a) of Sub-
Clause 14.3 [ Application for Interim Payment
Certificates ].
If the lists referred to in sub-paragraphs (b)(i) or (c)(i)
below are not included in the Appendix to Tender,
this Sub-Clause shall not apply.
The Engineer shall determine and certify each
addition if the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) the Contractor has:
(i) kept satisfactory records (including the
orders, receipts, Costs and use of Plant
and Materials) which are available for
inspection, and
(ii) submitted a statement of the Cost of
acquiring and delivering the Plant and
Materials to the Site, supported by satis-
factory evidence;
and either:
(b) the relevant Plant and Materials:
for payment when shipped,
(ii) have been shipped to the Country, en
route to the Site, in accordance with the
Contract; and
If the Contractor is entitled, under the Contract, to
an interim payment for Plant and Materials which
are not yet on the Site, the Contractor shall
nevertheless not be entitled to such payment
unless:
(a) the relevant Plant and Materials are in the
Country and have been marked as the
Employer's property in accordance with the
Employer's instructions; or
(b) the Contractor has delivered, to the
Employer, evidence of insurance and a bank
guarantee in a form and issued by an entity
approved by the Employer in amounts and
currencies equal to such payment. This
guarantee may be in a similar form to the
form referred to in Sub-Clause 14.2
[ Advance Payment ] and shall be valid until
the Plant and Materials are properly stored on
Site and protected against loss, damage or
deterioration.
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.5 Plant and Materials Intended for the Works
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(iii) are described in a clean shipped bill of
lading or other evidence of shipment,
which has been submitted to the Engineer
together with evidence of payment of
freight and insurance, any other
documents reasonably required, and a
bank guarantee in a form and issued by
an entity approved by the Employer in
amounts and currencies equal to the
amount due under this Sub-Clause: this
[ Advance Payment ] and shall be valid
until the Plant and Materials are properly
stored on Site and protected against loss,
damage or deterioration;
or
(c) the relevant Plant and Materials:
for payment when delivered to the Site,
and
(ii) have been delivered to and are properly
stored on the Site, are protected against
loss, damage or deterioration, and appear
to be in accordance with the Contract.
The additional amount to be certified shall be the
equivalent of eighty percent of the Engineer’s deter-
mination of the cost of the Plant and Materials
(including delivery to Site), taking account of the
documents mentioned in this Sub-Clause and of the
contract value of the Plant and Materials.
The currencies for this additional amount shall be
the same as those in which payment will become
due when the contract value is included under
(iii) are described in a clean shipped bill of
lading or other evidence of shipment,
which has been submitted to the Engineer
together with evidence of payment of
freight and insurance, any other
documents reasonably required, and a
bank guarantee in a form and issued by
an entity approved by the Employer in
amounts and currencies equal to the
amount due under this Sub-Clause: this
[ Advance Payment ] and shall be valid
until the Plant and Materials are properly
stored on Site and protected against loss,
damage or deterioration;
or
(c) the relevant Plant and Materials:
for payment when delivered to the Site,
and
(ii) have been delivered to and are properly
stored on the Site, are protected against
loss, damage or deterioration, and appear
to be in accordance with the Contract.
The additional amount to be certified shall be the
equivalent of eighty percent of the Engineer’s deter-
mination of the cost of the Plant and Materials
(including delivery to Site), taking account of the
documents mentioned in this Sub-Clause and of the
contract value of the Plant and Materials.
The currencies for this additional amount shall be
the same as those in which payment will become
due when the contract value is included under
CONS P&DB EPCT
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[ Application for Interim Payment Certificates ]. At
that time, the Payment Certificate shall include
the applicable reduction which shall be equivalent
to, and in the same currencies and proportions
as, this additional amount for the relevant Plant
and Materials.
[ Application for Interim Payment Certificates ]. At
that time, the Payment Certificate shall include
the applicable reduction which shall be equivalent
to, and in the same currencies and proportions
as, this additional amount for the relevant Plant
and Materials.
EPCT 14.5 is based upon the assumption that, if payments are to be made for
Plant or Materials before incorporation into the Works, such payments are defined
in a Schedule of Payments. If any interim payment expressly includes an amount
for Plant or Materials which are not on the Site, payment of such amount may be
withheld unless and until the Contractor provides suitable security (see the last
paragraph of this commentary on Sub-Clause 14.5).
Under CONS or P&DB, this Sub-Clause will not apply if it is rendered inapplicable
by:
- a statement to this effect in the Appendix to Tender, in lieu of the lists
referred to in sub-paragraph (b)(i) and (c)(i) of Sub-Clause 14.5, or
- Sub-Clause 14.4(b), because the Contract includes a schedule of
payments specifying the instalments in which the Contract Price will be
paid.
The purpose of these CONS/P&DB provisions is to minimise the Contractor's
financing costs. These costs will have been included in the Accepted Contract
Amount and will reflect the extent to which he can maintain a positive cash flow.
Cash flow is affected by these and other interim payment procedures.
Under CONS or P&DB, payment is only due when the Contractor has satisfied all
the requirements listed in sub-paragraph (a), and those listed in sub-paragraph (b)
or (c), as appropriate. Although some of these requirements could give rise to
disagreement as to whether they have been complied with, and no mention is
made of the opinion or satisfaction of the Engineer, it is he who "fairly determines
[the amount] to be due" under the first paragraph of Sub-Clause 14.6.
In CONS/P&DB 14.5 (c)(ii), the Plant and Materials on Site must "appear" to be
in accordance with the Contract. They are not stated as having to be
compliant, because such a provision could, in effect, require the Engineer to be
satisfied that they do comply, contrary to the last sentence of Sub-Clause 14.6.
However, Plant and Materials shipped and en route to the Site (under (b)) do
not have to "appear" to be in accordance with the Contract, because they may
not have been inspected by the Engineer. Therefore, the Contractor has to
provide security under sub-paragraph (b)(iii), because the shipped Plant and
Materials may not become the Employer's property until the time defined in
Sub-Clause 7.7.
The penultimate paragraph of CONS/P&DB 14.5 defines the amount to be
included in an Interim Payment Certificate, namely 80% of the cost of the Plant
and Materials. This "cost" is to include delivery to the Site although, for the items
shipped and en route to the Site (under (b)), such delivery may not be complete
until after the Payment Certificate has been issued. When determining this "cost",
based upon the documents mentioned in this Sub-Clause, the Engineer must
also take account of the contract value of the Plant and Materials. This "contract
value" is their value in accordance with the Contract, namely the applicable part
of the Contract Price as defined in Sub-Clause 14.1(a). The expression "contract
value" is also used in the fourth paragraph of CONS/P&DB 13.8 and in Sub-
Clause 14.3(a).
Under all three Books, the bank guarantee to be provided under sub-paragraph
(b) is stated to be provided by an entity, and in a form, as approved by the
Employer. Sub-Clause 1.3 requires approvals to be given in writing and not
unreasonably withheld. The reasonableness of withholding an approval will
depend upon the extent to which the guarantee and the guarantor which issued
it comply with any requirements specified in the Particular Conditions. If the
security is "in a similar form to the form referred to in Sub-Clause 14.2", the
Employer cannot insist upon a more onerous form.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 60.1(c); YB 33.2(b); OB 13.5
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No amount will be certified or paid until the
Employer has received and approved the
Performance Security. Thereafter, the Engineer shall,
within 28 days after receiving a Statement and
supporting documents, issue to the Employer an
Interim Payment Certificate which shall state the
amount which the Engineer fairly determines to be
due, with supporting particulars.
However, prior to issuing the Taking-Over Certificate
for the Works, the Engineer shall not be bound to
issue an Interim Payment Certificate in an amount
which would (after retention and other deductions)
be less than the minimum amount of Interim
Payment Certificates (if any) stated in the Appendix
to Tender. In this event, the Engineer shall give
notice to the Contractor accordingly.
An Interim Payment Certificate shall not be withheld
for any other reason, although:
(a) if any thing supplied or work done by the
Contractor is not in accordance with the
Contract, the cost of rectification or
replacement may be withheld until
rectification or replacement has been
completed; and/or
(b) if the Contractor was or is failing to perform
any work or obligation in accordance with the
Contract, and had been so notified by the
Engineer, the value of this work or obligation
may be withheld until the work or obligation
has been performed.
The Engineer may in any Payment Certificate make
any correction or modification that should properly
be made to any previous Payment Certificate. A
No amount will be certified or paid until the
Employer has received and approved the
Performance Security. Thereafter, the Engineer shall,
within 28 days after receiving a Statement and
supporting documents, issue to the Employer an
Interim Payment Certificate which shall state the
amount which the Engineer fairly determines to be
due, with supporting particulars.
However, prior to issuing the Taking-Over Certificate
for the Works, the Engineer shall not be bound to
issue an Interim Payment Certificate in an amount
which would (after retention and other deductions)
be less than the minimum amount of Interim
Payment Certificates (if any) stated in the Appendix
to Tender. In this event, the Engineer shall give
notice to the Contractor accordingly.
An Interim Payment Certificate shall not be withheld
for any other reason, although:
completed; and/or
Engineer, the value of this work or obligation
has been performed.
The Engineer may in any Payment Certificate make
any correction or modification that should properly
be made to any previous Payment Certificate. A
No amount will be paid until the Employer has
received and approved the Performance Security.
Thereafter, the Employer shall within 28 days after
receiving a Statement and supporting documents,
give to the Contractor notice of any items in the
Statement with which the Employer disagrees, with
supporting particulars. Payments due shall not be
withheld, except that:
completed; and/or
Employer, the value of this work or obligation
has been performed.
The Employer may, by any payment, make any
correction or modification that should properly be
made to any amount previously considered due.
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.6 Issue of Interim Payment Certificates 14.6 Interim Payments
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Payment Certificate shall not be deemed to indicate
the Engineer's acceptance, approval, consent or
satisfaction.
Payment Certificate shall not be deemed to indicate
the Engineer's acceptance, approval, consent or
satisfaction.
Payment shall not be deemed to indicate the
Employer's acceptance, approval, consent or
satisfaction.
The Contractor is to be notified of the payment which he is to receive, without
being requested to amend his Statement. Such a request would typically be
inconsistent with the procedures for payment specified in Clause 14.
CONS/P&DB 1.3 states that the Engineer's certificates shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed and that, when sending a certificate to one Party, the Engineer
shall send a copy of the certificate to the other Party.
The Contractor is to be notified within 28 days after his Statement and supporting
documents have been received. These supporting documents are required to
include the progress report specified in Sub-Clause 4.21, for the relevant period.
In other words, a Statement covering work executed up to the end of a month
must be accompanied (or preceded) by reports which include the matters listed
in Sub-Clause 4.21.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Contractor receives a copy of an Interim Payment
Certificate which notifies him of the payment to which he is entitled, as fairly
determined by the Engineer. The Employer is thereafter bound by the Certificate,
and must make payment in full, irrespective of any entitlement to compensation
arising from any claim which the Employer may have against the Contractor. If the
Employer considers himself entitled to claim against the Contractor, notice and
particulars must first be submitted under Sub-Clause 2.5. The Employer's
entitlement is then to be agreed or determined, and incorporated as a deduction
in a Payment Certificate. This procedure, as prescribed in Sub-Clause 2.5 (notice,
particulars, and agreement or determination), may require less time than the 28
days mentioned in the first paragraph of Sub-Clause 14.6.
Under EPCT, the Employer gives "notice of any items in the Statement with which
the Employer disagrees, with supporting particulars". This notice should allow the
Contractor to calculate the payment which he will receive. However, the Sub-
Clause does not refer to the notice in terms of defining the payment to which the
Contractor is entitled under the Contract, because it would be unreasonable to
empower either Party to define this entitlement. Under EPCT 14.7(b), the
Employer's obligation is stated as being to pay the amount which "is due",
irrespective of the Employer's notice under EPCT 14.6.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Engineer may decline to issue an Interim Payment
Certificate in an amount which would be less than a "minimum amount of Interim
Payment Certificates" which may be stated in the Appendix to Tender. However,
the Engineer should not regard his duty as being to endeavour to minimise
certification, and therefore declining to certify whenever he is entitled to do so.
Withholding of certification may be of benefit to neither Party.
The sub-paragraphs describe the only other circumstances when certification
and/or payment may be withheld. Although the Retention Money retained under
Sub-Clause 14.3(c) may be sufficient to cover these circumstances, the
withholdings described in the sub-paragraphs are not subject to the amount of
Retention Money retained. Certification and payment may be withheld as
described in Sub-Clause 14.6(a)&(b), as well as under Sub-Clause 14.3(c).
Sub-paragraph (a) describes the situation when an item of work is not in
accordance with the Contract, in which event the cost of rectification or
replacement may be deducted. In effect, this withholding entitlement expresses
the reality that the "contract value" of the item (as described in Sub-Clause
14.3(a)) is typically the value prescribed by the Contract less the anticipated cost
of making it comply with the Contract. If an item of work is so non-compliant that
its contract value is zero, there would typically be no payment due and therefore
nothing from which a deduction for withholding may be effected.
Sub-paragraph (b) similarly covers a failure to perform any work or obligation in
Under CONS or P&DB, the final paragraph allows an Interim Payment Certificate
to be corrected or modified in any subsequent Payment Certificate. Although the
title of the Sub-Clause only mentions Interim Payment Certificates, the last
sentence of Sub-Clause 1.2 expands the provision to allowing the correction or
modification to be made in the Final Payment Certificate. Whilst it could be argued
that the provision could be expanded further, to the effect that the Final Payment
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 60.2 & 60.4; YB 33.3 & 33.4; OB 13.6
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- the Employer from withholding an interim payment if he feels entitled to
withhold acceptance, approval, consent or satisfaction; and
- the Contractor from relying upon certificates or payments as evidence
of acceptance, approval, consent or satisfaction in respect of paid
work.
The Employer shall pay to the Contractor:
(a) the first instalment of the advance payment
within 42 days after issuing the Letter of
Acceptance or within 21 days after receiving the
documents in accordance with Sub-Clause 4.2
[ Performance Security ] and Sub-Clause 14.2
[ Advance Payment ], whichever is later;
(b) the amount certified in each Interim Payment
Certificate within 56 days after the Engineer
receives the Statement and supporting
documents; and
(c) the amount certified in the Final Payment
Certificate within 56 days after the Employer
receives this Payment Certificate.
Payment of the amount due in each currency shall
be made into the bank account, nominated by the
Contractor, in the payment country (for this
currency) specified in the Contract.
The Employer shall pay to the Contractor:
within 42 days after issuing the Letter of
Acceptance or within 21 days after receiving the
(b) the amount certified in each Interim Payment
Certificate within 56 days after the Engineer
receives the Statement and supporting
documents; and
(c) the amount certified in the Final Payment
Certificate within 56 days after the Employer
receives this Payment Certificate.
Except as otherwise stated in Sub-Clause 2.5
[ Employer's Claims ], the Employer shall pay to the
Contractor:
within 42 days after the date on which the
Contract came into full force and effect or within
21 days after the Employer receives the
(b) the amount which is due in respect of each
Statement, other than the Final Statement,
within 56 days after receiving the Statement
and supporting documents; and
(c) the final amount due, within 42 days after
receiving the Final Statement and written
discharge in accordance with Sub-Clause
14.11 [ Application for Final Payment ] and
Sub-Clause 14.12 [ Discharge ].
Certificate could be corrected or modified, such a misinterpretation would be
inconsistent with Sub-Clauses 1.1.4.4, 14.11 and 14.13.
Sub-Clause 14.6 concludes with a sentence confirming that certification or
payment is not to be taken as indicating "acceptance, approval, consent or
satisfaction". This sentence is required so as to discourage:
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.7 Payment 14.7 Timing of Payments
RB 60.10; YB 33.5; OB 13.7
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The Employer is required to pay the first instalment of the advance payment (or
the whole payment, if it is made in one instalment) within six weeks of entering into
the Contract, or within three weeks of receiving the securities described in Sub-
Clauses 4.2 and 14.2. When entering into the Contract, the Employer will typically
be able to calculate the amount of this first payment, and should immediately
initiate arrangements for making prompt payment.
Under EPCT, the Employer's obligation is stated in sub-paragraph (b) as being to
pay the amount which "is due", subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 but irrespective of the
Under CONS or P&DB, the Contractor's entitlement under sub-paragraph (b) is
payment of the amount stated in the Engineer's Interim Payment Certificate. The
Employer must make payment in full, irrespective of any entitlement to
compensation arising from any claim which the Employer may have against the
Contractor. If the Employer considers himself entitled to claim against the
Contractor, notice and particulars must first be submitted under Sub-Clause
2.5. The Employer's entitlement is then to be agreed or determined, and
incorporated as a deduction in a Payment Certificate. This procedure, as
prescribed in Sub-Clause 2.5 (notice, particulars, and agreement or
determination), may require less time than the 28 days mentioned in the first
By not timing payment to the date when the Engineer issues the Interim Payment
Certificate, the Employer has more time to pay if the Certificate is issued promptly.
The Contractor has some degree of protection under Sub-Clauses 14.8 and 16.1
if certification is delayed. Note that his entitlement to financing charges under Sub-
Clause 14.8 is calculated for a period which is "deemed to commence on the date
for payment specified in Sub-Clause 14.7 […], irrespective (in the case of its sub-
paragraph (b)) of the date on which any Interim Payment Certificate is issued". For
example, if the Certificate is a week late, the Contractor will be entitled to financing
charges under Sub-Clause 14.8 unless the Employer manages to accelerate his
procedures and comply with Sub-Clause 14.7.
The Employer is required to make payment into the Contractor's bank account(s),
with provision being made for the Contract to have specified the country or
countries of the Contractor's bank(s). For each of the currencies of payment, a
"payment country" may have been specified, which might be the country of the
currency of payment. Alternatively, all payments may have been specified as being
made into the Contractor's bank in his country or the "Country".
When pricing their tenders, tenderers will take account of the option to specify a
payment country, and of the periods for payment. Longer periods for payment
increase the Contractor's financing costs, so tenderers would wish to increase
their prices accordingly.
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.8 Delayed Payment
If the Contractor does not receive payment in
accordance with Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Payment ], the
Contractor shall be entitled to receive financing
accordance with Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Payment ], the
Contractor shall be entitled to receive financing
accordance with Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Timing of
Payments ], the Contractor shall be entitled to
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even if no Interim Payment Certificate is issued, although it would then be
difficult to establish the amount to which the "annual rate" is to be applied. If
the Certificate is a week late and the Employer accelerate his procedures and
complies with Sub-Clause 14.7, the Contractor will not be entitled to financing
charges.
The Contractor is entitled to these financing charges without being required to
give notice and, under CONS/P&DB, without a Payment Certificate. However, it
may be preferable for financing charges to be included in Payment Certificates
under CONS/P&DB, for accounting purposes. Financing charges are to be
calculated at the annual rate of three percentage points above the discount rate
of the central bank in the country of the currency of payment. If this rate is
considered inappropriate when tender documents are being prepared, a new rate
may be defined in the Particular Conditions.
charges compounded monthly on the amount unpaid
during the period of delay. This period shall be
deemed to commence on the date for payment
specified in Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Payment ], irrespective
(in the case of its sub-paragraph (b)) of the date on
which any Interim Payment Certificate is issued.
these financing charges shall be calculated at the
annual rate of three percentage points above the
discount rate of the central bank in the country of
the currency of payment, and shall be paid in such
currency.
The Contractor shall be entitled to this payment
without formal notice or certification, and without
prejudice to any other right or remedy.
charges compounded monthly on the amount unpaid
during the period of delay. This period shall be
deemed to commence on the date for payment
specified in Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Payment ], irrespective
(in the case of its sub-paragraph (b)) of the date on
which any Interim Payment Certificate is issued.
currency.
without formal notice or certification, and without
prejudice to any other right or remedy.
receive financing charges compounded monthly on
the amount unpaid during the period of delay.
currency.
without formal notice, and without prejudice to any
other right or remedy.
The Contractor is entitled to financing charges (in some countries called "interest")
if he does not receive payment in accordance with the appropriate sub-paragraph
of Sub-Clause 14.7. Its sub-paragraph (b) entitles the Contractor to payment of:
- under CONS/P&DB, the amount certified by the Engineer, irrespective of
any claim which the Employer may have against the Contractor, or
- under EPCT, the amount which is actually due. See the commentary
on Sub-Clause 14.7, above.
Under CONS/P&DB, the date on which the Interim Payment Certificate is issued
is not relevant when calculating these financing charges. Financing charges are
calculated for a period which is "deemed to commence on the date for
payment specified in Sub-Clause 14.7", even if the Engineer had not issued an
Interim Payment Certificate by such "date for payment". This period applies
RB 60.10; YB 33.6; OB 13.8
CONS P&DB EPCT
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When the Taking-Over Certificate has been issued for
the Works, the first half of the Retention Money shall be
certified by the Engineer for payment to the Contractor.
If a Taking-Over Certificate is issued for a Section or
part of the Works, a proportion of the Retention Money
shall be certified and paid. This proportion shall be two-
fifths (40%) of the proportion calculated by dividing the
estimated contract value of the Section or part, by the
estimated final Contract Price.
Promptly after the latest of the expiry dates of the
Defects Notification Periods, the outstanding balance
of the Retention Money shall be certified by the
Engineer for payment to the Contractor. If a Taking-
Over Certificate was issued for a Section, a proportion
of the second half of the Retention Money shall be
certified and paid promptly after the expiry date of the
Defects Notification Period for the Section. This
proportion shall be two-fifths (40%) of the proportion
calculated by dividing the estimated contract value of
the Section by the estimated final Contract Price.
However, if any work remains to be executed under
Clause 11 [ Defects Liability ], the Engineer shall be
entitled to withhold certification of the estimated
cost of this work until it has been executed.
When calculating these proportions, no account
shall be taken of any adjustments under Sub-Clause
13.7 [ Adjustments for Changes in Legislation ] and
Sub-Clause 13.8 [ Adjustments for Changes in
Cost ].
When the Taking-Over Certificate has been issued
for the Works, and the Works have passed all
specified tests (including the Tests after Completion,
if any), the first half of the Retention Money shall be
certified by the Engineer for payment to the
Contractor. If a Taking-Over Certificate is issued for
a Section, the relevant percentage of the first half of
the Retention Money shall be certified and paid
when the Section passes all tests.
Defects Notification Periods, the outstanding
balance of the Retention Money shall be certified by
the Engineer for payment to the Contractor. If a
Taking-Over Certificate was issued for a Section, the
relevant percentage of the second half of the
Retention Money shall be certified and paid
promptly after the expiry date of the Defects
Notification Period for the Section.
Clause 11 [ Defects Liability ] or Clause 12 [ Tests
after Completion ], the Engineer shall be entitled to
withhold certification of the estimated cost of this
work until it has been executed.
The relevant percentage for each Section shall be
the percentage value of the Section as stated in the
Appendix to Tender. If the percentage value of a
Section is not stated in the Appendix to Tender, no
percentage of either half of the Retention Money
shall be released under this Sub-Clause in respect
of such Section.
When the Taking-Over Certificate has been issued
for the Works, and the Works have passed all
specified tests (including the Tests after Completion,
if any), the first half of the Retention Money shall be
paid to the Contractor. If a Taking-Over Certificate is
issued for a Section, the relevant percentage of the
first half of the Retention Money shall be paid when
the Section passes all tests.
Defects Notification Periods, the outstanding
balance of the Retention Money shall be paid to the
Contractor. If a Taking-Over Certificate was issued
for a Section, the relevant percentage of the second
half of the Retention Money shall be paid promptly
after the expiry date of the Defects Notification
Period for the Section.
Clause 11 [ Defects Liability ] or Clause 12 [ Tests
after Completion ], the Employer shall be entitled to
withhold the estimated cost of this work until it has
been executed.
The relevant percentage for each Section shall be
the percentage value of the Section as stated in the
Contract. If the percentage value of a Section is not
stated in the Contract, no percentage of either half
of the Retention Money shall be released under this
Sub-Clause in respect of such Section.
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.9 Payment of Retention Money
RB 60.3; OB 13.9
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The date on which each Section is completed is to be stated in its Taking-Over
Certificate. On this date , the Defect Notification Period commences, the duration
of which is to be stated in the Appendix to Tender (under CONS or P&DB) or in
the Particular Conditions (under EPCT). For each Section, the relevant CONS
proportion, or P&DB/EPCT percentage, of the second half of the Retention Money
is to be released. As for the first instalment, the CONS proportion is calculated
based upon estimated values, and the P&DB/EPCT percentage value of the
Section is to be stated in P&DB's Appendix to Tender or in EPCT's Contract.
Retention Money is not stated as being released at the expiry of the Defect
Notification Period for a part of the Works for which a Taking-Over Certificate was
issued. Defect Notification Periods are only defined in the Contract in respect of
the Works and Sections.
The balance of the second half of the Retention Money is released promptly after
the latest of the expiry dates of the Defect Notification Periods. The word
"promptly" indicates that it may be inappropriate to await the next application
under Sub-Clause 14.3. The phrase "latest of the expiry dates" is used, because
of the possibility of a Defect Notification Period (which is not the last to
commence) being extended under Sub-Clause 11.3 and becoming the Period
with the latest expiry date.
The penultimate paragraph refers to the entitlement to withhold the estimated cost
of any work which remains to be executed under Clause 11 or under P&DB/EPCT
12, consistent with the sub-paragraphs of Sub-Clause 14.6. This entitlement
applies to any release of Retention Money, but is typically of greatest importance
at the latest of the expiry dates of the Defect Notification Periods. In order to
protect the Employer's interests, the amount withheld should be sufficient to cover
the cost of another contractor completing the work, but must be reasonable and
not penalise the Contractor.
Within 84 days after receiving the Taking-Over
Certificate for the Works, the Contractor shall
submit to the Engineer six copies of a Statement at
completion with supporting documents, in
accordance with Sub-Clause 14.3 [ Application for
submit to the Engineer six copies of a Statement at
submit to the Employer six copies of a Statement at
Retention Money is retained under Sub-Clause 14.3(c) and is released in
instalments based upon the Taking-Over Certificates issued under Clause 10.
Under CONS, the first releases are made when Taking-Over Certificates are
issued for Sections and/or parts of the Works, under Sub-Clause 10.1 and/or
Sub-Clause 10.2 respectively. The release is defined as two-fifths of the
proportion calculated by dividing the estimated contract value of the Section or
part, by the estimated final Contract Price. Only two-fifths (not half) of this
proportion are stated as being released at this stage. If half had been released,
there might be very little balance (of the half of Retention Money) to be released
on completion of the Works, because of the arithmetical possibilities attributable
to Variations.
Under P&DB or EPCT, the first releases are made when Taking-Over Certificates
are issued under Sub-Clause 10.1 for Sections which have passed all tests,
including Tests after Completion (if any). The release is defined as the relevant
percentage of the first half of Retention Money, such percentage being defined in
the last paragraph as the percentage value of the Section as stated in the
Appendix to Tender (under P&DB) or as stated in the Contract (under EPCT).
Retention Money is not released when a Taking-Over Certificate is issued for a
part of the Works, because it might be difficult to define an amount to be released.
Also, the taking over of a part of the Works is inconsistent with EPCT 10.2 and
seems unlikely to be a frequent occurrence under P&DB 10.2.
The balance of the first half of the Retention Money is released when the Taking-
Over Certificate is issued for the Works. Under P&DB or EPCT, the Works must
also have passed all tests, including Tests after Completion. If Tests after
Completion are unduly delayed by the Employer, P&DB/EPCT 12.2 would apply,
entitling the Contractor to the financing cost attributable to the delayed release of
Retention Money.
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.10 Statement at Completion
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Interim Payment Certificates ], showing:
(a) the value of all work done in accordance with
the Contract up to the date stated in the
Taking-Over Certificate for the Works,
(b) any further sums which the Contractor
considers to be due, and
(c) an estimate of any other amounts which the
Contractor considers will become due to him
under the Contract. Estimated amounts shall
be shown separately in this Statement at
completion.
The Engineer shall then certify in accordance with
Sub-Clause 14.6 [ Issue of Interim Payment
Certificates ].
Interim Payment Certificates ], showing:
completion.
The Engineer shall then certify in accordance with
Certificates ].
Interim Payments ], showing:
completion.
The Employer shall then give notice to the
Contractor in accordance with Sub-Clause 14.6
[ Interim Payments ] and make payment in
accordance with Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Timing of
Payments ].
Since the Statement at completion has to comply with Sub-Clause 14.3, it has to
have supporting documents which shall include the detailed progress report
complying with Sub-Clause 4.21, unless all the reports required by the Contract
have already been submitted.
The Statement at completion is the basis of the cessation of liability specified in
Sub-Clause 14.14, and encourages the early settlement of financial aspects. The
Contractor should therefore prepare this Statement with these aspects in mind,
even though it is initially only processed like other interim Statements, as
described in the last paragraph of Sub-Clause 14.10.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 60.5; OB 13.10
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.11 Application for Final Payment Certificate
Within 56 days after receiving the Performance
Certificate, the Contractor shall submit, to the
Engineer, six copies of a draft final statement with
supporting documents showing in detail in a form
approved by the Engineer:
Engineer, six copies of a draft final statement with
approved by the Engineer:
Employer, six copies of a draft final statement with
approved by the Employer:
14.11 Application for Final Payment
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the Contract, and
considers to be due to him under the
Contract or otherwise.
If the Engineer disagrees with or cannot verify any
part of the draft final statement, the Contractor shall
submit such further information as the Engineer may
reasonably require and shall make such changes in
the draft as may be agreed between them. The
Contractor shall then prepare and submit to the
Engineer the final statement as agreed. This agreed
statement is referred to in these Conditions as the
"Final Statement".
However if, following discussions between the
Engineer and the Contractor and any changes to
the draft final statement which are agreed, it
becomes evident that a dispute exists, the Engineer
shall deliver to the Employer (with a copy to the
Contractor) an Interim Payment Certificate for the
agreed parts of the draft final statement. Thereafter,
if the dispute is finally resolved under Sub-Clause
20.4 [ Obtaining Dispute Adjudication Board's
Decision ] or Sub-Clause 20.5 [ Amicable
Settlement ], the Contractor shall then prepare and
submit to the Employer (with a copy to the
Engineer) a Final Statement.
the Contract, and
If the Engineer disagrees with or cannot verify any
submit such further information as the Engineer may
reasonably require and shall make such changes in
the draft as may be agreed between them. The
Engineer the final statement as agreed. This agreed
statement is referred to in these Conditions as the
"Final Statement".
Engineer and the Contractor and any changes to
the draft final statement which are agreed, it
becomes evident that a dispute exists, the Engineer
shall deliver to the Employer (with a copy to the
Contractor) an Interim Payment Certificate for the
agreed parts of the draft final statement. Thereafter,
if the dispute is finally resolved under Sub-Clause
20.4 [ Obtaining Dispute Adjudication Board's
Decision ] or Sub-Clause 20.5 [ Amicable
Settlement ], the Contractor shall then prepare and
submit to the Employer (with a copy to the
Engineer) a Final Statement.
the Contract, and
If the Employer disagrees with or cannot verify any
submit such further information as the Employer
may reasonably require and shall make such
changes in the draft as may be agreed between
them. The Contractor shall then prepare and submit
to the Employer the final statement as agreed. This
agreed statement is referred to in these Conditions
as the "Final Statement".
Parties and any changes to the draft final statement
which are agreed, it becomes evident that a dispute
exists, the Employer shall pay the agreed parts of
the draft final statement in accordance with Sub-
Clause 14.6 [ Interim Payments ] and Sub-Clause
14.7 [ Timing of Payments ]. Thereafter, if the
dispute is finally resolved under Sub-Clause 20.4
[ Obtaining Dispute Adjudication Board's Decision ]
or Sub-Clause 20.5 [ Amicable Settlement ], the
Employer a Final Statement.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 60.6; YB 33.9; OB 13.11
This Sub-Clause sets out the procedure for settling the financial aspects of the
Contract. The Contractor must initiate the procedure by the date eight weeks
after the issue of the Performance Certificate under Sub-Clause 11.9. He may
feel able to initiate it as soon as the Defect Notification Periods have all
expired.
If agreement is not achieved and a dispute exists, the Contractor is entitled to prompt
payment in respect of the agreed parts of his draft final statement. If the dispute is
then resolved under Sub-Clause 20.4 (by the DAB's decision) or under Sub-Clause
20.5 (by amicable settlement), a Final Statement is to be prepared in accordance with
the outcome, so that the following Sub-Clauses can then be applicable.
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the only necessary documentation may have been prepared or defined by the
arbitrator(s). If there is no Final Statement, Sub-Clause 14.12, Sub-Clause 14.13
and sub-paragraph (a) of Sub-Clause 14.14 cannot apply.
If the dispute is not resolved under Sub-Clause 20.4 or 20.5, it would probably
need to be resolved under Sub-Clause 20.6: by arbitration. After resolution by
arbitration, which may be considerably later, there may be no need for a Final
Statement, so Sub-Clause 14.11 does not require it to be prepared. For example,
When submitting the Final Statement, the
Contractor shall submit a written discharge which
confirms that the total of the Final Statement
represents full and final settlement of all moneys due
to the Contractor under or in connection with the
Contract. This discharge may state that it becomes
effective when the Contractor has received the
Performance Security and the out-standing balance
of this total in which event the discharge will be
effective on such date.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 60.7; OB 13.12
14.12 Discharge
When submitting the "Final Statement" defined in Sub-Clause 14.11, after
agreement or after resolution of all disputes under Sub-Clause 20.4 or 20.5,
the Contractor confirms his agreement in this written discharge.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Engineer's agreement is confirmed in the Final
Sample Form of Discharge
We … hereby confirm, in the terms of Sub-Clause 14.12 of the Conditions of
Contract, that the total of the attached Final Statement, namely ...,
represents the full and final settlement of all moneys due to us under or in
connection with the Contract. This discharge shall only become effective
when we have received the Performance Security and the outstanding
balance of this total of the attached Final Statement.
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Within 28 days after receiving the Final Statement
and written discharge in accordance with Sub-
Clause 14.11 [ Application for Final Payment
Certificate ] and Sub-Clause 14.12 [ Discharge ], the
Engineer shall issue, to the Employer, the Final
Payment Certificate which shall state:
(a) the amount which is finally due, and
(b) after giving credit to the Employer for all
amounts previously paid by the Employer and
for all sums to which the Employer is entitled,
the balance (if any) due from the Employer to
the Contractor or from the Contractor to the
Employer, as the case may be.
If the Contractor has not applied for a Final Payment
Certificate in accordance with Sub-Clause 14.11
[ Application for Final Payment Certificate ] and Sub-
Clause 14.12 [ Discharge ], the Engineer shall
request the Contractor to do so. If the Contractor
fails to submit an application within a period of 28
days, the Engineer shall issue the Final Payment
Certificate for such amount as he fairly determines
to be due.
Within 28 days after receiving the Final Statement
and written discharge in accordance with Sub-
Clause 14.11 [ Application for Final Payment
Certificate ] and Sub-Clause 14.12 [ Discharge ], the
Engineer shall issue, to the Employer, the Final
Payment Certificate which shall state:
(a) the amount which is finally due, and
(b) after giving credit to the Employer for all
amounts previously paid by the Employer and
for all sums to which the Employer is entitled,
the balance (if any) due from the Employer to
the Contractor or from the Contractor to the
Employer, as the case may be.
If the Contractor has not applied for a Final Payment
Certificate in accordance with Sub-Clause 14.11
[ Application for Final Payment Certificate ] and Sub-
Clause 14.12 [ Discharge ], the Engineer shall
request the Contractor to do so. If the Contractor
fails to submit an application within a period of 28
days, the Engineer shall issue the Final Payment
Certificate for such amount as he fairly determines
to be due.
In accordance with sub-paragraph (c) of Sub-Clause
14.7 [ Timing of Payments ], the Employer shall pay
to the Contractor the amount which is finally due, less
all amounts previously paid by the Employer and any
deductions in accordance with Sub-Clause 2.5
[ Employer's Claims ].
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.13 Issue of Final Payment Certificate 14.13 Final Payment
Certificate without further delay. Under Sub-Clause 1.3, certificates shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed.
Under EPCT, the Employer may await the Final Statement and discharge before
paying under Sub-Clause 14.7(c), but must comply with Sub-Clause 14.7(b).
Unless and until the Contractor has submitted a Final Statement, Sub-Clause
14.12, Sub-Clause 14.13 and sub-paragraph (a) of Sub-Clause 14.14 cannot
apply, but he is nevertheless entitled to payment in accordance with the third
The Contractor should submit the Final Statement and discharge in accordance
with Sub-Clauses 14.11 and 14.12, in order to be paid in accordance with Sub-
Clauses 14.7(c) and 14.13.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Engineer then issues the Final Payment Certificate.
The last paragraph of CONS/P&DB 14.13 provides for the possibility that the
Contractor fails to apply for a Final Payment Certificate. In this event, the Engineer
should request the Contractor to submit his application within 28 days. Unless it
is received within 28 days, the Engineer is required to issue the Final Payment
RB 60.8; YB 33.10; OB 13.13
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The Employer shall not be liable to the Contractor
for any matter or thing under or in connection with
the Contract or execution of the Works, except to
the extent that the Contractor shall have included
an amount expressly for it:
(a) in the Final Statement and also
(b) (except for matters or things arising after the
issue of the Taking-Over Certificate for the
Works) in the Statement at completion
described in Sub-Clause 14.10 [ Statement
at Completion ].
However, this Sub-Clause shall not limit the
Employer's liability under his indemnification
obligations, or the Employer's liability in any case of
fraud, deliberate default or reckless misconduct by
the Employer.
at Completion ].
the Employer.
at Completion ].
the Employer.
This Sub-Clause provides a reasonable constraint on the Contractor's
entitlements to initiate claims at a late stage in the Contract.
With the exception of matters arising after the Taking-Over Certificate for the
Works, the Statement at completion under Sub-Clause 14.10 must include "an
amount expressly for" any matter for which the Contractor wishes to be paid by
the Employer. Thus, for a claim to be valid, the Statement at completion must
include an amount "expressly" stated to be for the matter or thing covered by the
claim, and the Employer is not liable "except to the extent" of such amount. If such
amount in a document calling itself a "Statement at completion" grossly exceeds
the sum to which the Contractor appears to consider himself to be entitled, the
document might be regarded as not complying with Sub-Clause 14.10 and
therefore as not being a Statement at completion.
Briefly summarising the situation in respect of his claims, the Contractor is
required to submit:
- the notice in respect of each claim, within four weeks after he should have
become aware of the relevant event or circumstance giving rise to the
claim,
- the Statement at completion, stating the actual or estimated amount of
each claim, within twelve weeks after receiving the Taking-Over Certificate
for the Works, and
- particulars of each claim, within periods proposed and approved in
accordance with the procedures described in Sub-Clause 20.1.
Under EPCT 11.9, if the Employer fails to issue the Performance Certificate within
the specified period, Sub-Clause 11.11 and sub-paragraph (a) of Sub-Clause
14.14 are inapplicable.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 60.9; YB 33.11; OB 13.14
14.14 Cessation of Employer’s Liability
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The Contract Price shall be paid in the currency or
currencies named in the Appendix to Tender. Unless
otherwise stated in the Particular Conditions, if more
than one currency is so named, payments shall be
made as follows:
(a) if the Accepted Contract Amount was
expressed in Local Currency only:
(i) the proportions or amounts of the Local
and Foreign Currencies, and the fixed
rates of exchange to be used for
calculating the payments, shall be as
stated in the Appendix to Tender, except
as otherwise agreed by both Parties;
(ii) payments and deductions under Sub-
Clause 13.5 [ Provisional Sums ] and Sub-
Legislation ] shall be made in the
applicable currencies and proportions;
and
(iii) other payments and deductions under
sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) of Sub-
Clause 14.3 [ Application for Interim
Payment Certificates ] shall be made in
the currencies and proportions specified in
sub-paragraph (a)(i) above;
(b) payment of the damages specified in the
Appendix to Tender shall be made in the
currencies and proportions specified in the
Appendix to Tender;
(c) other payments to the Employer by the
Contractor shall be made in the currency in
which the sum was expended by the
currencies named in the Appendix to Tender. Unless
otherwise stated in the Particular Conditions, if more
than one currency is so named, payments shall be
made as follows:
(a) if the Accepted Contract Amount was
expressed in Local Currency only:
stated in the Appendix to Tender, except
and
Payment Certificates ] shall be made in
the currencies and proportions specified in
Appendix to Tender shall be made in the
Appendix to Tender;
currencies named in the Contract Agreement.
if more than one currency is so named, payments
shall be made as follows:
(a) if the Contract Price was expressed in Local
Currency only:
stated in the Contract Agreement, except
and
Payments ] shall be made in the
currencies and proportions specified in
Particular Conditions shall be made in the
Particular Conditions;
CONS P&DB EPCT
14.15 Currencies of Payment
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Employer, or in such currency as may be
agreed by both Parties;
(d) if any amount payable by the Contractor to
the Employer in a particular currency exceeds
the sum payable by the Employer to the
Contractor in that currency, the Employer
may recover the balance of this amount from
the sums otherwise payable to the Contractor
in other currencies; and
(e) if no rates of exchange are stated in the
Appendix to Tender, they shall be those
prevailing on the Base Date and determined
by the central bank of the Country.
Appendix to Tender, they shall be those
prevailing on the Base Date and determined
by the central bank of the Country.
Contract, they shall be those prevailing on the
Base Date and determined by the central
bank of the Country.
This Sub-Clause prescribes the currencies in which payments are to be made,
subject to the provisions which may be contained in the Contract Agreement or
(under CONS or P&DB) in the Appendix to Tender. If these provisions state that all
payments are to be made in one named currency, this Sub-Clause becomes
inapplicable, subject to any Particular Conditions.
Sub-paragraph (a) only applies if payments are expressed in Local Currency but
are to be made (partly or wholly) in other currencies, applying agreed proportions
and rates of exchange. This method of payment is often considered appropriate
for a CONS contract, where the alternative of a multi-currency Bill of Quantities
may be unduly complicating, and may also give an unrealistic indication of the
proportions of Cost in the various currencies.
For a lump sum contract under P&DB or EPCT, it may be considered preferable
to define each of the amounts due in each of the currencies in which payment is
to be made. In this event, payments will be due in such currencies, and sub-
paragraph (a) will not apply.
When tender documents are being prepared, the effect of this Sub-Clause should
be reviewed in the light of the intended method of defining payments in applicable
currencies.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 72; YB 35.1 & 35.3; OB 13.15
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If the Contractor fails to carry out any obligation
under the Contract, the Engineer may by notice
require the Contractor to make good the failure and
to remedy it within a specified reasonable time.
under the Contract, the Engineer may by notice
under the Contract, the Employer may by notice
CONS P&DB EPCT
15.1 Notice to Correct
- state that it is given under this Sub-Clause,
- describe the nature of the Contractor's failure, and
- specify a reasonable time within which the Contractor is to remedy the failure.
If the Time for Completion expired before the notice is issued, but the Works have
not been completed, and the notice requires the Contractor to make good this
failure and to complete the Works within a specified reasonable time, it may be
desirable for the notice to state that it is given without prejudice to the Employer's
rights under the Contract or otherwise. If the notice does not mention this matter,
it may be construed as indicating that the Employer is waiving his entitlement to
delay damages in respect of the period up to the expiry of the "specified
reasonable time". Sub-Clause 8.7 does not mention this aspect, so as to avoid
any effect on the applicability of Clause 15.
Although this Sub-Clause is referred to in Sub-Clause 15.2(a), there is no
obligation for notice to be given under this Sub-Clause before the Employer
terminates the Contract. Also, the Contractor cannot rely on an absence of notice
under this Sub-Clause as indicating that the Contractor is carrying out his
obligations, or that the Works are being, or have been, executed in accordance
with the Contract.
If the Employer believes that the Contractor's failure is sufficiently serious to merit
termination under Sub-Clause 15.2, the Employer should, before any notice is
issued under Sub-Clause 15.1, consider whether termination appears to be the
most appropriate course of action and take legal advice.
If the Employer intends to rely on a notice under this Sub-Clause, the notice
should:
YB 45.1; OB 15.1
CONS P&DB EPCT
15.2 Termination by the Employer
The Employer shall be entitled to terminate the
Contract if the Contractor:
(a) fails to comply with Sub-Clause 4.2
[ Performance Security ] or with a notice
under Sub-Clause 15.1 [ Notice to Correct ],
Clause 15 Termination by Employer
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(b) abandons the Works or otherwise plainly
demonstrates the intention not to continue
performance of his obligations under the
Contract,
(c) without reasonable excuse fails:
(i) to proceed with the Works in accordance
with Clause 8 [ Commencement, Delays
and Suspension ], or
(ii) to comply with a notice issued under Sub-
Clause 7.5 [ Rejection ] or Sub-Clause 7.6
[ Remedial Work ], within 28 days after
receiving it,
(d) subcontracts the whole of the Works or
assigns the Contract without the required
agreement,
(e) becomes bankrupt or insolvent, goes into
liquidation, has a receiving or administration
order made against him, compounds with his
creditors, or carries on business under a
receiver, trustee or manager for the benefit of
his creditors, or if any act is done or event
occurs which (under applicable Laws) has a
similar effect to any of these acts or events,
or
(f) gives or offers to give (directly or indirectly) to
any person any bribe, gift, gratuity,
commission or other thing of value, as an
inducement or reward:
(i) for doing or forbearing to do any action in
relation to the Contract, or
(ii) for showing or forbearing to show favour
or disfavour to any person in relation to
the Contract,
Contract,
(c) without reasonable excuse fails:
(i) to proceed with the Works in accordance
with Clause 8 [ Commencement, Delays
and Suspension ], or
(ii) to comply with a notice issued under Sub-
Clause 7.5 [ Rejection ] or Sub-Clause 7.6
[ Remedial Work ], within 28 days after
receiving it,
agreement,
or
the Contract,
Contract,
(c) without reasonable excuse fails to proceed
with the Works in accordance with Clause 8
[ Commencement, Delays and Suspension ],
agreement,
or
the Contract,
CONS P&DB EPCT
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or if any of the Contractor’s Personnel,
agents or Subcontractors gives or offers
to give (directly or indirectly) to any person
any such inducement or reward as is
described in this sub-paragraph (f).
However, lawful inducements and rewards
to Contractor’s Personnel shall not entitle
termination.
In any of these events or circumstances, the
Employer may, upon giving 14 days’ notice to the
Contractor, terminate the Contract and expel the
Contractor from the Site. However, in the case of
sub-paragraph (e) or (f), the Employer may by notice
terminate the Contract immediately.
The Employer’s election to terminate the Contract
shall not prejudice any other rights of the Employer,
under the Contract or otherwise.
The Contractor shall then leave the Site and deliver
any required Goods, all Contractor’s Documents,
and other design documents made by or for him, to
the Engineer. However, the Contractor shall use his
best efforts to comply immediately with any
reasonable instructions included in the notice (i) for
the assignment of any subcontract, and (ii) for the
protection of life or property or for the safety of the
Works.
After termination, the Employer may complete the
Works and/or arrange for any other entities to do
so. The Employer and these entities may then use
any Goods, Contractor’s Documents and other
design documents made by or on behalf of the
Contractor.
The Employer shall then give notice that the
Contractor’s Equipment and Temporary Works will
be released to the Contractor at or near the Site.
or if any of the Contractor’s Personnel,
to Contractor’s Personnel shall not entitle
termination.
Employer may, upon giving 14 days’ notice to the
The Employer’s election to terminate the Contract
any required Goods, all Contractor’s Documents,
the Engineer. However, the Contractor shall use his
the assignment of any subcontract, and (ii) for the
Works.
any Goods, Contractor’s Documents and other
Contractor.
Contractor’s Equipment and Temporary Works will
or if any of the Contractor's Personnel,
to Contractor's Personnel shall not entitle
termination.
Employer may, upon giving 14 days' notice to the
The Employer's election to terminate the Contract
any required Goods, all Contractor's Documents,
the Employer. However, the Contractor shall use his
the assignment of any sub-contract, and (ii) for the
Works.
any Goods, Contractor's Documents and other
Contractor.
Contractor's Equipment and Temporary Works will
CONS P&DB EPCT
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The Contractor shall promptly arrange their removal,
at the risk and cost of the Contractor. However, if by
this time the Contractor has failed to make a
payment due to the Employer, these items may be
sold by the Employer in order to recover this
payment. Any balance of the proceeds shall then be
paid to the Contractor.
If the Employer believes that the Contractor's failure of performance is sufficiently
serious to merit termination under this Sub-Clause, the Employer should take legal
advice before giving notice under this Sub-Clause. A notice of termination that is
subsequently decided to be unjustified would constitute a breach of contract by
the Employer. It may also be prudent for the legal adviser to prepare the notice of
termination.
The notice of termination may specify the Contractor's failures, although it may not
be essential to classify them under the listed items (a) to (f).
If the Employer gives notice and then wishes to withdraw it, the Parties may agree
that the notice shall be of no effect and that the Contract is not terminated.
If the notice only takes effect 14 days later, and not "immediately", it may be
necessary for the Contractor to be instructed (for example) to make the Works
safe and secure. In some cases, the Contractor's compliance with these
instructions may be required by the Country's safety laws.
The Sub-Clause does not mention assignment of subcontracts to the
Employer, who may want to continue construction of the Works using the same
subcontractors. The Employer should start considering, before notifying
termination, whether he would wish (after termination) to seek agreement to
assignments, or to renegotiate direct contracts with any previous
subcontractors. In either case, it may be preferable to achieve each
arrangement with the agreement of the subcontractor, rather than relying on a
term of the Contract (see CONS 4.4(d)) to impose assignment on an unwilling
subcontractor.
Under Sub-Clause 1.10, the Employer is entitled to use the existing Contractor's
Documents for the purposes of completing and altering the Works.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 63.1 & 63.4; YB 45.2; OB 15.2 & 15.5
CONS P&DB EPCT
15.3 Valuation at Date of Termination
As soon as practicable after a notice of
termination under Sub-Clause 15.2 [ Termination
by Employer ] has taken effect, the Engineer shall
[ Determinations ] to agree or determine the value
of the Works, Goods and Contractor's
Documents, and any other sums due to the
by Employer ] has taken effect, the Engineer shall
by Employer ] has taken effect, the Employer shall
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CONS P&DB EPCT
immediately upon termination. If the Contractor fails to do so, the Employer may
call (cash) the advance payment guarantee. It should be promptly returned to the
Contractor, as soon as the advance payment has been repaid in full.
Contractor for work executed in accordance with
the Contract.
the Contract.
the Contract.
Following termination, the value of the Contractor's work is to be determined,
although the Employer is not obliged to make immediate payment: see Sub-
Clause 15.4. Sub-Clause 14.2 requires the advance payment to be repaid
RB 63.2; YB 45.3; OB 15.3
CONS P&DB EPCT
15.4 Payment after Termination
After a notice of termination under Sub-Clause 15.2
[ Termination by Employer has taken effect, the
Employer may:
(a) proceed in accordance with Sub-Clause 2.5
[ Employer’s Claims ],
(b) withhold further payments to the Contractor
until the costs of execution, completion and
remedying of any defects, damages for delay
in completion (if any), and all other costs
incurred by the Employer, have been
established, and/or
(c) recover from the Contractor any losses and
damages incurred by the Employer and any
extra costs of completing the Works, after
allowing for any sum due to the Contractor
under Sub-Clause 15.3 [ Valuation at Date of
Termination ]. After recovering any such
losses, damages and extra costs, the
Employer shall pay any balance to the
Contractor.
[ Termination by Employer ] has taken effect, the
Employer may:
until the costs of design, execution,
completion and remedying of any defects,
damages for delay in completion (if any), and
all other costs incurred by the Employer,
have been established, and/or
Contractor.
[ Termination by Employer ] has taken effect, the
Employer may:
until the costs of design, execution,
completion and remedying of any defects,
damages for delay in completion (if any), and
all other costs incurred by the Employer,
have been established, and/or
Contractor.
RB 63.3; YB 45.4; OB 15.4
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Contract, at any time for the Employer's
convenience, by giving notice of such termination to
the Contractor. The termination shall take effect 28
days after the later of the dates on which the
Contractor receives this notice or the Employer
returns the Performance Security. The Employer
shall not terminate the Contract under this Sub-
Clause in order to execute the Works himself or to
arrange for the Works to be executed by another
contractor.
After this termination, the Contractor shall proceed
in accordance with Sub-Clause 16.3 [ Cessation of
Work and Removal of Contractor's Equipment ] and
shall be paid in accordance with Sub-Clause 19.6
[ Optional Termination, Payment and Release ].
contractor.
contractor.
After termination, the Employer would probably have had to make other
arrangements for the completion of the Works, including the rectification of any
defects. If these arrangements include the appointment of a new contractor, the
costs described in sub-paragraph (b) may not be ascertainable until he has
submitted his final statement, and until all other costs incurred by the Employer
have been established.
OB 2.4
CONS P&DB EPCT
15.5 Employer’s Entitlement to Termination
Before entering into the Contract, the Employer should ensure that, to the best of
his knowledge, there are no matters which seem likely to prevent him complying
with his contractual obligations. However, he may wish to have the entitlement
under this Sub-Clause to bring the Contract to an end. For example, he may not
wish to rely on any of the other termination procedures if he encounters
unexpected financial or other difficulties. Although tenderers and the Contractor
may consider that the Employer should also reimburse the Contractor for all
losses and damages attributable to the termination, such a provision may be
inconsistent with applicable law, or with the requirements of a public authority
Employer or of an international financial institution.
In the rare event of having to invoke this Sub-Clause, the Employer should take
prior legal advice.
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If the Engineer fails to certify in accordance with
Certificates ] or the Employer fails to comply with
Sub-Clause 2.4 [ Employer’s Financial
Arrangements ] or Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Payment ], the
Contractor may, after giving not less than 21 days’
notice to the Employer, suspend work (or reduce
the rate of work) unless and until the Contractor has
received the Payment Certificate, reasonable
evidence or payment, as the case may be and as
described in the notice.
The Contractor’s action shall not prejudice his
entitlements to financing charges under Sub-
Clause 14.8 [ Delayed Payment ] and to termination
under Sub-Clause 16.2 [ Termination by Contractor ].
If the Contractor subsequently receives such
Payment Certificate, evidence or payment (as
described in the relevant Sub-Clause and in the
above notice) before giving a notice of termination,
the Contractor shall resume normal working as soon
as is reasonably practicable.
a result of suspending work (or reducing the rate of
work) in accordance with this Sub-Clause, the
Completion ], and
If the Engineer fails to certify in accordance with
Certificates ] or the Employer fails to comply with
Sub-Clause 2.4 [ Employer’s Financial
Arrangements ] or Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Payment ], the
Contractor may, after giving not less than 21 days’
notice to the Employer, suspend work (or reduce
the rate of work) unless and until the Contractor has
received the Payment Certificate, reasonable
evidence or payment, as the case may be and as
described in the notice.
The Contractor’s action shall not prejudice his
entitlements to financing charges under Sub-
Clause 14.8 [ Delayed Payment ] and to termination
under Sub-Clause 16.2 [ Termination by Contractor ].
Payment Certificate, evidence or payment (as
described in the relevant Sub-Clause and in the
above notice) before giving a notice of termination,
the Contractor shall resume normal working as soon
as is reasonably practicable.
Completion ], and
If the Employer fails to comply with Sub-Clause 2.4
[ Employer's Financial Arrangements ] or Sub-
Clause 14.7 [ Timing of Payments ], the Contractor
may, after giving not less than 21 days' notice to the
Employer, suspend work (or reduce the rate of
work) unless and until the Contractor has received
the reasonable evidence or payment, as the case
may be and as described in the notice.
The Contractor's action shall not prejudice his
entitlements to financing charges under Sub-Clause
14.8 [ Delayed Payment ] and to termination under
Sub-Clause 16.2 [ Termination by Contractor ].
evidence or payment (as described in the relevant
Sub-Clause and in the above notice) before giving a
notice of termination, the Contractor shall resume
normal working as soon as is reasonably
practicable.
Completion ], and
CONS P&DB EPCT
16.1 Contractor’s Entitlement to Suspend Work
Clause 16 Suspension and Termination by Contractor
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Price.
matters.
Price.
matters.
Price.
matters.
Under CONS or P&DB, the Employer is required to pay the amount actually
certified by the Engineer, without deductions. If the Employer considers himself
entitled to claim from the Contractor, he should proceed in accordance with Sub-
Clause 2.5 and the deduction should be incorporated in the Payment Certificate.
Under EPCT 14.7(b), the Employer is required to pay "the amount which is due",
subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 but irrespective of the Employer's notice under EPCT
14.6 and irrespective of any non-binding determinations under EPCT 3.5. This
amount due may incorporate reductions to which the Employer is entitled, having
claimed compensation from the Contractor in accordance with Sub-Clause 2.5
and having received no notice of dissatisfaction. If the Contractor notifies
dissatisfaction with the Employer's determination under the last paragraph of
EPCT 3.5:
by reference to the provisions on which the Employer based his claim.
If the Contractor intends to rely on a notice as having been issued under this Sub-
Clause 16.1, the notice should:
- state that it is given under this Sub-Clause,
- describe the nature of the failure, including the appropriate description used
in the first sentence of this Sub-Clause, and
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 69.4 & 69.5; YB 27.2 & 33.7; OB 16.1
Under CONS or P&DB, if the Engineer fails to issue an Interim Payment Certificate
within the period specified in Sub-Clause 14.6, the Contractor may notify the
Employer that he will be suspending (or reducing the rate of) work on a stated date.
This date cannot be less than 21 days after the Employer receives the notice. This
period specified in Sub-Clause 14.6 commences when the Engineer receives the
Contractor's Statement and supporting documents which shall include the progress
report in accordance with Sub-Clause 4.21. There may thus be disagreement as
regards the date on which the period specified in Sub-Clause 14.6 commenced. If
the Engineer receives (in accordance with the last sentence of Sub-Clause 1.3) a
copy of such a notice before the expiry of this period, he should promptly advise the
Contractor that his notice is unjustified and therefore of no effect.
Under all Books, if the Employer fails to provide reasonable evidence, within the
period specified in Sub-Clause 2.4, that financial arrangements have been made
which will enable the Employer to pay the estimated Contract Price, the
Contractor may similarly notify the Employer that he will be suspending (or
reducing the rate of) work on a stated date, which shall be not less than 21 days
after the Employer receives the notice. In this case, there may thus be
disagreement as to whether the evidence reasonably demonstrates that such
financial arrangements are effective and being maintained.
If the Employer fails to make payment of the amount, and within the period,
specified in Sub-Clause 14.7, the Contractor may similarly notify the Employer
that he will be suspending (or reducing the rate of) work on a stated date, which
shall be not less than 21 days after the Employer receives the notice. In this case,
there may thus be disagreement as to the payment due; and/or as to the specified
period, which commences on receipt of the Statement and all supporting
documents including the progress report.
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remains unaffected by the Contractor's election to suspend work. Typically, the
Contractor would be entitled to financing charges with effect from a date prior to
that on which he gives notice under Sub-Clause 16.1.
Under the third paragraph of Sub-Clause 16.1, if the failure is remedied after the
Contractor has suspended (or reduced the rate of) work, he must resume normal
working as soon as reasonably practicable. However, if he has already given a
notice of termination under Sub-Clause 16.2 before the failure is remedied, the
Contract is terminated, unless the Parties agree that the notice shall be of no
effect.
8.4 and 20.1.
- state that he will be suspending work not less than 21 days later because
of the failure.
Note that the Contractor cannot anticipate a failure, in order to reduce the
minimum period between the date by which the Engineer or Employer was
required to act (making payment, for example) and the date on which the
Contractor suspends work. He must await the date by which the Engineer or
Employer was required to act, and only give notice based upon an actual failure.
Having given a valid notice that he will be suspending work not less than 21 days
later because of the stated failure, the Contractor will only be entitled to do so if
the failure is not remedied. If the failure is remedied before the Contractor has
actually suspended (or reduced the rate of) work, he is then not entitled to do so.
Under the second paragraph of Sub-Clause 16.1, the Contractor's entitlement to
financing charges due to the Employer's failure to comply with Sub-Clause 14.7
The Contractor shall be entitled to terminate the
Contract if:
(a) the Contractor does not receive the
reasonable evidence within 42 days after
giving notice under Sub-Clause 16.1
[ Contractor’s Entitlement to Suspend Work ]
in respect of a failure to comply with Sub-
Clause 2.4 [ Employer’s Financial
Arrangements ],
(b) the Engineer fails, within 56 days after
receiving a Statement and supporting
documents, to issue the relevant Payment
Certificate,
(c) the Contractor does not receive the amount
due under an Interim Payment Certificate
within 42 days after the expiry of the time
stated in Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Payment ] within
Contract if:
giving notice under Sub-Clause 16.1
[ Contractor’s Entitlement to Suspend Work ]
Clause 2.4 [ Employer’s Financial
Arrangements ],
(b) the Engineer fails, within 56 days after
receiving a Statement and supporting
documents, to issue the relevant Payment
Certificate,
(c) the Contractor does not receive the amount
due under an Interim Payment Certificate
within 42 days after the expiry of the time
stated in Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Payment ] within
Contract if:
giving notice under Sub-Clause 16.1 [
Contractor's Entitlement to Suspend Work ]
Clause 2.4 [ Employer's Financial
Arrangements ],
(b) the Contractor does not receive the amount
due within 42 days after the expiry of the time
stated in Sub-Clause 14.7 [ Timing of
Payments ] within which payment is to be
CONS P&DB EPCT
16.2 Termination by Contractor
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CONS P&DB EPCT
which payment is to be made (except for
deductions in accordance with Sub-
Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s Claims ]),
(d) the Employer substantially fails to perform his
(e) the Employer fails to comply with Sub-
Clause 1.6 [ Contract Agreement ] or Sub-
Clause 1.7 [ Assignment ],
(f) a prolonged suspension affects the whole of
the Works as described in Sub-Clause 8.11
[ Prolonged Suspension ], or
(g) the Employer becomes bankrupt or insolvent,
goes into liquidation, has a receiving or
administration order made against him,
compounds with his creditors, or carries on
business under a receiver, trustee or manager
for the benefit of his creditors, or if any act is
done or event occurs which (under applicable
Laws) has a similar effect to any of these acts
or events.
Contractor may, upon giving 14 days’ notice to the
Employer, terminate the Contract. However, in the
case of sub-paragraph (f) or (g), the Contractor may
by notice terminate the Contract immediately.
The Contractor’s election to terminate the Contract
shall not prejudice any other rights of the
Contractor, under the Contract or otherwise.
which payment is to be made (except for
deductions in accordance with Sub-
Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s Claims ]),
(d) the Employer substantially fails to perform his
(e) the Employer fails to comply with Sub-
Clause 1.6 [ Contract Agreement ] or Sub-
Clause 1.7 [ Assignment ],
(f) a prolonged suspension affects the whole of
(g) the Employer becomes bankrupt or insolvent,
or events.
Contractor may, upon giving 14 days’ notice to the
case of sub-paragraph (f) or (g), the Contractor may
The Contractor’s election to terminate the Contract
made (except for deductions in accordance
with Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer's Claims ]),
(c) the Employer substantially fails to perform his
(d) the Employer fails to comply with Sub-Clause
1.7 [ Assignment ],
(e) a prolonged suspension affects the whole of
(f) the Employer becomes bankrupt or insolvent,
or events.
Contractor may, upon giving 14 days' notice to the
case of sub-paragraph (e) or (f), the Contractor may
The Contractor's election to terminate the Contract
RB 69.1; YB 33.7 & 46.1; OB 16.2
If the Contractor believes that the Employer's failure of performance is sufficiently
serious to merit termination under this Sub-Clause, the Contractor should take
legal advice before giving notice under this Sub-Clause. A notice of termination
that is subsequently decided to be unjustified would constitute a breach of
contract by the Contractor. It may also be prudent for the legal adviser to prepare
the notice of termination.
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[ Employer’s Entitlement to Termination ], Sub-
Clause 16.2 [ Termination by Contractor ] or Sub-
Clause 19.6 [ Optional Termination, Payment and
Release ] has taken effect, the Contractor shall
promptly:
(a) cease all further work, except for such work
as may have been instructed by the Engineer
for the protection of life or property or for the
safety of the Works,
(b) hand over Contractor’s Documents, Plant,
Materials and other work, for which the
Contractor has received payment, and
(c) remove all other Goods from the Site,
except as necessary for safety, and leave
the Site.
[ Employer’s Entitlement to Termination ], Sub-
promptly:
as may have been instructed by the Engineer
(b) hand over Contractor’s Documents, Plant,
the Site.
[ Employer's Entitlement to Termination ], Sub-
promptly:
as may have been instructed by the Employer
(b) hand over Contractor's Documents, Plant,
the Site.
CONS P&DB EPCT
16.3 Cessation of Work and Removal of Contractor’s Equipment
RB 69.2; YB 46.2; OB 16.3
After termination, for the Employer's convenience or because of default, the
Contractor is required to hand over the things for which the Employer has paid,
and the parts of the Works executed on the Site. Whilst it may seem unrealistic
to expect the Contractor to be willing to carry out much of the work described in
sub-paragraph (a), the Contractor's compliance with these instructions may be
required by the Country's safety laws.
The notice of termination may specify the Employer's failures, although it may not
be essential to classify them under the items listed in the sub-paragraphs.
If the Contractor gives notice and then wishes to withdraw it, the Parties may
agree that the notice shall be of no effect and that the Contract is not terminated.
If the notice only takes effect 14 days later, and not "immediately", it may be
necessary for the Contractor to be instructed (for example) to make the Works
safe and secure: see Sub-Clause 16.3(a)). In some cases, the Contractor's
compliance with these instructions may be required by the Country's safety laws.
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[ Termination by Contractor ] has taken effect, the
Employer shall promptly:
(a) return the Performance Security to the
Contractor,
(b) pay the Contractor in accordance with Sub-
Clause 19.6 [ Optional Termination, Payment
and Release ], and
(c) pay to the Contractor the amount of any loss
of profit or other loss or damage sustained by
the Contractor as a result of this termination.
Contractor,
and Release ], and
Contractor,
and Release ], and
The Contractor is entitled to receive the Performance Security, and to payment of
an amount to be determined as described in Sub-Clause 19.6 and of the amount
of any loss or damage which he suffered.
Sub-Clause 14.2 requires the Contractor to repay the advance payment
immediately upon termination. The advance payment guarantee should be
returned to the Contractor as soon as the advance payment has been repaid in
full. If the Contractor fails to repay the advance payment, the Employer may call
(cash) the advance payment guarantee.
CONS P&DB EPCT
16.4 Payment on Termination
RB 69.3; YB 46.3; OB 16.4
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The Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless
the Employer, the Employer’s Personnel, and their
respective agents, against and from all claims,
damages, losses and expenses (including legal fees
and expenses) in respect of:
(a) bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, of
any person whatsoever arising out of or in the
course of or by reason of the Contractor’s
design (if any), the execution and completion
defects, unless attributable to any negligence,
wilful act or breach of the Contract by the
Employer, the Employer’s Personnel, or any
of their respective agents, and
(b) damage to or loss of any property, real or
personal (other than the Works), to the extent
that such damage or loss:
(i) arises out of or in the course of or by
reason of the Contractor’s design (if any),
the execution and completion of the
Works and the remedying of any defects,
and
(ii) is attributable to any negligence, wilful
act or breach of the Contract by the
Contractor, the Contractor’s Personnel,
their respective agents, or anyone
directly or indirectly employed by any of
them.
The Employer shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Contractor, the Contractor’s Personnel, and their
the Employer, the Employer's Personnel, and their
course of or by reason of the design,
execution and completion of the Works and
the remedying of any defects, unless
attributable to any negligence, wilful act or
breach of the Contract by the Employer, the
Employer's Personnel, or any of their
respective agents, and
reason of the design, execution and
completion of the Works and the
remedying of any defects, and
(ii) is attributable to any negligence, wilful
act or breach of the Contract by the
Contractor, the Contractor's Personnel,
them.
Contractor, the Contractor's Personnel, and their
the Employer, the Employer's Personnel, and their
course of or by reason of the design,
execution and completion of the Works and
the remedying of any defects, unless
attributable to any negligence, wilful act or
breach of the Contract by the Employer, the
Employer's Personnel, or any of their
respective agents, and
reason of the design, execution and
completion of the Works and the
remedying of any defects, and
(ii) is not attributable to any negligence,
wilful act or breach of the Contract by
the Employer, the Employer's Personnel,
them.
Contractor, the Contractor's Personnel, and their
CONS P&DB EPCT
17.1 Indemnities
Clause 17 Risk and Responsibility
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and expenses) in respect of (1) bodily injury,
sickness, disease or death, which is attributable to
any negligence, wilful act or breach of the Contract
by the Employer, the Employer’s Personnel, or any
of their respective agents, and (2) the matters for
which liability may be excluded from insurance
cover, as described in sub-paragraphs (d)(i), (ii) and
(iii) of Sub-Clause 18.3 [ Insurance Against Injury to
Persons and Damage to Property ].
by the Employer, the Employer's Personnel, or any
by the Employer, the Employer's Personnel, or any
Each Party is required to protect the other Party from claims, including those from
third parties, arising out of the Contractor's execution of the Works. These
indemnities apply widely, but may not cover every type of claim. In other words,
there may be claims for which neither Party is entitled to indemnity under this Sub-
Clause.
Claims for personal injury are to be borne by the Contractor, if they are attributable
to his execution of the Works, and are not attributable to any act or negligence of
the Employer or Employer's Personnel. These claims may arise without any act or
negligence by the Contractor, and may be covered by the insurance specified in
Sub-Clause 18.3.
The Employer bears the cost of claims for personal injury which are attributable to
any act or negligence of the Employer or Employer's Personnel.
Under EPCT, claims for property damage are similarly to be borne by the
Contractor, unless attributable to the Employer or Employer's Personnel.
Under CONS or P&DB, claims for property damage are to be borne by the
Contractor to the extent that they are attributable to any act or negligence of the
Contractor or Contractor's Personnel, and by the Employer to the extent that they
are attributable to any act or negligence of the Employer or Employer's Personnel.
Other claims for property damage may be covered by the insurance specified in
Sub-Clause 18.3, subject to the last three paragraphs of Sub-Clause 18.1.
Finally, the Employer is required to bear the cost of claims in respect of the matters
described in Sub-Clause 18.3(d), namely:
(i) the Employer's right to have the Permanent Works executed on, over,
under, in or through any land, and to occupy this land for the Permanent
Works,
(ii) damage which is an unavoidable result of the Contractor's obligations
to execute the Works and remedy any defects, and
(iii) a cause listed in Sub-Clause 17.3, except to the extent that insurance
cover is available at commercially reasonable terms.
Under Sub-Clauses 17.1 and 18.3(d)(ii), the Employer indemnifies the Contractor
from claims in respect of "damage which is an unavoidable result of the
Contractor's obligations", but not in respect of any other damage which is a result
of the particular arrangements and methods which the Contractor elected to
adopt in order to perform his obligations. The Contractor should adopt
appropriate arrangements and methods so as to minimise claims from third
parties due to the performance of his obligations under the Contract.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 22 & 24.1; YB 40 & 41; OB 17.1
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The Contractor shall take full responsibility for the
care of the Works and Goods from the
Commencement Date until the Taking-Over
Certificate is issued (or is deemed to be issued
and Sections ]) for the Works, when responsibility
for the care of the Works shall pass to the
Employer. If a Taking-Over Certificate is issued (or is
so deemed to be issued) for any Section or part of
the Works, responsibility for the care of the Section
or part shall then pass to the Employer.
After responsibility has accordingly passed to the
Employer, the Contractor shall take responsibility for
the care of any work which is outstanding on the
date stated in a Taking-Over Certificate, until this
outstanding work has been completed.
If any loss or damage happens to the Works,
Goods or Contractor’s Documents during the period
when the Contractor is responsible for their care,
from any cause not listed in Sub-Clause 17.3
[ Employer’s Risks ], the Contractor shall rectify the
loss or damage at the Contractor’s risk and cost, so
that the Works, Goods and Contractor’s Documents
conform with the Contract.
The Contractor shall be liable for any loss or
damage caused by any actions performed by the
Contractor after a Taking-Over Certificate has been
issued. The Contractor shall also be liable for any
loss or damage which occurs after a Taking-Over
Certificate has been issued and which arose from
a previous event for which the Contractor was
liable.
so deemed to be issued) for any Section or part of
the Works, responsibility for the care of the Section
or part shall then pass to the Employer.
liable.
so deemed to be issued) for any Section of the
Works, responsibility for the care of the Section shall
then pass to the Employer.
liable.
CONS P&DB EPCT
17.2 Contractor’s Care of the Works
RB 20.1, 20.2 & 54.2; YB 38 & 39; OB 17.2
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The risks referred to in Sub-Clause 17.4 below are:
(a) war, hostilities (whether war be declared or
not), invasion, act of foreign enemies,
(b) rebellion, terrorism, revolution, insurrection,
military or usurped power, or civil war, within
the Country,
(c) riot, commotion or disorder within the
Country by persons other than the
Contractor’s Personnel and other employees
the Country,
Contractor's Personnel and other employees
the Country,
Contractor's Personnel and other employees
The Contractor is responsible for the care of the Works and Goods, until the
Employer takes over the Works in accordance with Clause 10. With effect from
the date on which the Taking-Over Certificate is issued, the liability for the Works
or Section described in the Certificate transfers to the Employer.
Typically, the Certificate may record that the Works (or a Section) were completed
a few days previously. If the Employer wishes to effect insurance in respect of the
liability transferred to him, he should arrange for such insurance to have become
effective by the date on which the Taking-Over Certificate is issued, although this
must not delay certification: see Sub-Clause 1.3. CONS/P&DB 1.3 also requires
the Contractor to send a copy of his notice under Sub-Clause 10.1 to the
Employer, who will thus be aware that the Works or a Section are nearly ready for
taking over and transfer of liability.
Difficulties may arise in respect of a Taking-Over Certificate for a Section or part of
the Works, if the physical extent of the Section or part is not adequately defined.
When preparing the tender documents, any Section must be clearly defined.
Precise geographical definitions are advisable. Defining a Section in terms of a
construction milestone may not be sufficiently precise for the purposes of defining
the extent of liability which will be transferred upon the issue of the Taking-Over
Certificate. For example, a construction milestone might be defined in terms of
completing a certain percentage of the bulk excavation required for the Works,
without any need for the milestone to define the geographical extent of this
percentage of bulk excavation. If this type of construction stage/milestone had
been defined as a Section, it would be impossible to determine the geographical
extent of anything which the Contract requires the Employer to take over.
The first paragraph refers to Works and Goods, but not to Contractor's
Documents. Under Sub-Clause 1.8, the Contractor is responsible for the care of
each Contractor's Document until it is taken over by the Employer. Typically, each
item of Contractor's Documents will be "taken over" when issued by the
Contractor to the Employer or (under CONS or P&DB) to the Engineer.
Contractor's Documents are thus taken over on dates other than those which are
to be stated in Taking-Over Certificates, issued under the procedure specified in
Clause 10.
The third paragraph requires the Contractor to rectify any loss or damage to the
Works, Goods or Contractor's Documents which is not due to any of the
Employer's risks listed in Sub-Clause 17.3. There is no need to demonstrate what
caused the loss or damage and, in many cases, the cause may be uncertain. The
Contractor must rectify loss or damage at his own cost, or at the cost of his
insurers, except to the extent that he can demonstrate that the loss or damage
was due to any of the Employer's risks listed in Sub-Clause 17.3.
The Contractor is also responsible for the care of any work which he executes
after the Taking-Over Certificate is issued. This work includes completing the
outstanding work and remedying any defects, both of which are mentioned in
Sub-Clauses 10.1 and 11.1.
CONS P&DB EPCT
17.3 Employer’s Risks
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Some of these risks may also constitute Force Majeure events under Clause 19,
depending on their exceptional severity and adverse consequences. Conversely,
certain actions of the Country's government (under Sub-Clause 13.7 or otherwise)
might constitute events of Force Majeure, but are not listed as Employer's risks for
the purposes of Sub-Clause 17.4.
CONS/P&DB 17.3(h) refers to an Unforeseeable operation of the forces of nature.
The adjective "Unforeseeable" is defined in Sub-Clause 1.1.6.8 as meaning "not
reasonably foreseeable by an experienced contractor by the date for submission of
the Tender". The question whether a natural event is Unforeseeable may be resolved
by reference to the duration of the Time for Completion of the Works and to the
of the Contractor and Subcontractors,
(d) munitions of war, explosive materials, ionising
radiation or contamination by radio-activity,
within the Country, except as may be
attributable to the Contractor’s use of such
munitions, explosives, radiation or radio-
activity,
(e) pressure waves caused by aircraft or other
aerial devices travelling at sonic or supersonic
speeds,
(f) use or occupation by the Employer of any
part of the Permanent Works, except as may
be specified in the Contract,
(g) design of any part of the Works by the
Employer’s Personnel or by others for whom
the Employer is responsible, and
(h) any operation of the forces of nature which is
Unforeseeable or against which an
experienced contractor could not reasonably
have been expected to have taken adequate
preventative precautions.
attributable to the Contractor's use of such
activity,
speeds,
(f) use or occupation by the Employer of any
part of the Permanent Works, except as may
be specified in the Contract,
(g) design of any part of the Works by the
Employer's Personnel or by others for whom
the Employer is responsible, if any, and
(h) any operation of the forces of nature which is
Unforeseeable or against which an
experienced contractor could not reasonably
have been expected to have taken adequate
preventative precautions.
attributable to the Contractor's use of such
activity, and
speeds.
International projects can be subject to various risks, many unforeseen. Contracts
should provide mechanisms for the possible occurrence of the most common
types of risk. Although this list of Employer's risks takes account of the extent to
which insurance cover is available in many countries, the list is not intended to
reflect insurance practice.
Unlike the marginal words, which are subject to the last sentence of Sub-Clause
1.2, the main texts do not use the phrase "Employer's risks", because the
Employer is not wholly liable for all the consequences of the events listed in Sub-
Clause 17.3. Sub-Clause 17.4 only entitles the Contractor to compensation for
rectifying loss or damage attributable to these Employer's risks.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 20.4; YB 37; OB 17.3
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If and to the extent that any of the risks listed in
Sub-Clause 17.3 above results in loss or damage to
the Works, Goods or Contractor's Documents, the
Contractor shall promptly give notice to the
Engineer and shall rectify this loss or damage to the
extent required by the Engineer.
If the Contractor suffers delay and/or incurs Cost from
rectifying this loss or damage, the Contractor shall give
a further notice to the Engineer and shall be entitled
Completion ], and
included in the Contract Price. In the case of
sub-paragraphs (f) and (g) of Sub-Clause
17.3 [ Employer's Risks ], reasonable profit
on the Cost shall also be included.
[ Determinations ] to agree or determine these matters.
and to the extent that any of the risks listed in Sub-
Clause 17.3 above results in loss or damage to the
Works, Goods or Contractor's Documents, the
Engineer and shall rectify this loss or damage to the
extent required by the Engineer.
a further notice to the Engineer and shall be entitled
Completion ], and
included in the Contract Price. In the case of
sub-paragraphs (f) and (g) of Sub-Clause
17.3 [ Employer's Risks ], reasonable profit
on the Cost shall also be included.
If and to the extent that any of the risks listed in
Sub-Clause 17.3 above results in loss or damage to
the Works, Goods or Contractor's Documents, the
Employer and shall rectify this loss or damage to the
extent required by the Employer.
a further notice to the Employer and shall be entitled
Completion ], and
After receiving this further notice, the Employer shall
proceed in accordance with Sub Clause 3.5
statistical frequency of the event, based upon historic records. For example, if the
Time for Completion is three years, an experienced contractor might be expected
to foresee an event which occurs (on average) once in every six years, but an event
which occurs only once in every ten years might be regarded as Unforeseeable.
EPCT omits three of the Employer's risks listed in CONS and P&DB:
- use or occupation by the Employer of any part of the Permanent Works, which
would be a deliberate breach by the Employer of EPCT 10.2 and not a "risk";
- design of any part of the Works, which is intended to be wholly the
Contractor's risk under EPCT; and
- unforeseeable operations of the forces of nature, which are also intended to be
Contractor's risks under EPCT, except to the extent that they may be so adverse
and exceptional as to constitute Force Majeure as defined in Clause 19.
CONS P&DB EPCT
17.4 Consequences of Employer’s Risks
RB 20.3 & 65.5; YB 39.2(b); OB 17.4
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If compliance with these instructions causes the Contractor to suffer delay and/or
incur Cost, he should give the further notice in order to obtain relief. This notice
should state that it is given under Sub-Clauses 17.4 and 20.1, and should refer to
the previous notice. If there was no previous notice and no responding instructions
as described above, the Contractor may not be able to rely upon a notice asserting
that an Employer's risk has already caused him to suffer delay and/or incur Cost.
8.4 and 20.1. Under CONS or P&DB, he is also entitled to the addition of profit in
respect of two of the Employer's risks, because the Employer is regarded as being
directly responsible for these matters.
Sub-Clause 17.4 only entitles the Contractor to compensation for rectifying loss
or damage, but does not limit his entitlements under Sub-Clause 19.4.
If the Contractor wishes to rely upon this Sub-Clause, he must first give the notice
described in its first paragraph. The notice should identify the Employer's risk and
the resulting loss or damage to the Works, Goods and/or Contractor's
Documents. Having issued this notice, the Contractor is then entitled to receive
instructions on the extent to which he is required to rectify the loss or damage.
Delay in the issue of these instructions may entitle the Contractor to an extension
of time under the last sub-paragraph of Sub-Clause 8.4. CONS/P&DB 1.3
Having received the notice, CONS/P&DB's Engineer or EPCT's Employer should
monitor the effect of the Employer's risk and may instruct the Contractor to rectify
any loss or damage. If he does not instruct rectification, the Contractor is not
obliged by this Sub-Clause to carry it out. However, depending on the nature and
extent of the loss or damage, the Contractor may be entitled and/or obliged to do
so, under the applicable law and/or other provisions of the Contract.
17.5 Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights
CONS P&DB EPCT
In this Sub-Clause, “infringement” means an
infringement (or alleged infringement) of any patent,
registered design, copyright, trade mark, trade
name, trade secret or other intellectual or industrial
property right relating to the Works; and “claim”
means a claim (or proceedings pursuing a claim)
alleging an infringement.
Whenever a Party does not give notice to the other
Party of any claim within 28 days of receiving the
claim, the first Party shall be deemed to have
waived any right to indemnity under this Sub-
Clause.
Contractor harmless against and from any claim
alleging an infringement which is or was:
Clause.
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(a) an unavoidable result of the Contractor’s
compliance with the Contract, or
(b) a result of any Works being used by the
Employer:
(i) for a purpose other than that indicated by,
or reasonably to be inferred from, the
Contract, or
(ii) in conjunction with any thing not supplied
by the Contractor, unless such use was
disclosed to the Contractor prior to the
Base Date or is stated in the Contract.
The Contractor shall indemnify and hold the Employer
harmless against and from any other claim which
arises out of or in relation to (i) the manufacture, use,
sale or import of any Goods, or (ii) any design for
which the Contractor is responsible.
If a Party is entitled to be indemnified under this
Sub-Clause, the indemnifying Party may (at its
cost) conduct negotiations for the settlement of
the claim, and any litigation or arbitration which
may arise from it. The other Party shall, at the
request and cost of the indemnifying Party, assist
in contesting the claim. This other Party (and its
Personnel) shall not make any admission which
might be prejudicial to the indemnifying Party,
unless the indemnifying Party failed to take over
the conduct of any negotiations, litigation or
arbitration upon being requested to do so by such
other Party.
compliance with the Employer’s Requirements, or
Employer:
Contract, or
arises out of or in relation to (i) the Contractor’s
design, manufacture, construction or execution of the
Works, (ii) the use of Contractor’s Equipment, or (iii)
the proper use of the Works.
other Party.
compliance with the Employer’s Requirements, or
Employer:
Contract, or
arises out of or in relation to (i) the Contractor’s
design, manufacture, construction or execution of the
Works, (ii) the use of Contractor’s Equipment, or (iii)
the proper use of the Works.
other Party.
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 28.1; YB 16; OB 5.9
party makes a claim in respect of any of the matters mentioned in this Sub-
Clause, the Parties should each consider taking advice from a lawyer familiar with
This Sub-Clause provides appropriate protection to each Party in respect of any
breaches of copyright or of other intellectual or industrial property right. If a third
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design by the Contractor, the Employer may need to consider what procedures
are relevant to the continuing operation of the Works, since they may not be
covered by this Sub-Clause. In particular, further wording may be required if the
Works include process plant and some form of operational licence is required for
its use. Process plants which manufacture products from raw materials are usually
protected by intellectual property rights, the owner of which would grant a licence
(sometimes referred to as a process licence) to the Employer, entitling him to use
(and benefit from) the protected process. If a licence will be required, the Employer
should take appropriate legal advice before entering into the Contract.
the applicable intellectual or industrial property right law. The Sub-Clause deals
with many types of infringements, but does not attempt to cover all types. In other
words, there may be claims for which neither Party is entitled to indemnity under
this Sub-Clause.
In particular, the Sub-Clause does not cover the situation where the Employer is
prevented by a competent court from operating the Works by reason of an alleged
infringement.
When preparing tender documents for a process plant or other Works involving
17.6 Limitation of Liability
CONS P&DB EPCT
Neither Party shall be liable to the other Party for
loss of use of any Works, loss of profit, loss of any
contract or for any indirect or consequential loss or
damage which may be suffered by the other Party
in connection with the Contract, other than under
Sub-Clause 16.4 [ Payment on Termination ] and
Sub-Clause 17.1 [ Indemnities ].
The total liability of the Contractor to the Employer,
under or in connection with the Contract other
than under Sub-Clause 4.19 [ Electricity, Water
and Gas ], Sub-Clause 4.20 [ Employer's
Equipment and Free-Issue Material ], Sub-Clause
17.1 [ Indemnities ] and Sub-Clause 17.5
[ Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights ], shall
not exceed the sum stated in the Particular
Conditions or (if a sum is not so stated) the
Accepted Contract Amount.
This Sub-Clause shall not limit liability in any case of
the defaulting Party.
Accepted Contract Amount.
Contract Price stated in the Contract Agreement.
YB 42.1 & 42.2; OB 17.6
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When preparing Tenders, tenderers will wish to assess their potential liability to the
Employer, and include in their prices some allowance for their risks. The basis of
this Sub-Clause is to maintain a reasonable balance between the differing
objectives of the Parties, each of whom will wish to limit his own liability whilst
being entitled to receive full compensation for default by the other Party.
Under the first paragraph, neither Party is to be liable for certain types of loss.
However, this paragraph will affect each Party differently. For example, delay
damages under Sub-Clause 8.7 shall be the sums stated in CONS/P&DB's
Appendix to Tender or in the Particular Conditions. The first paragraph
therefore limits liability under Sub-Clause 15.4(c) (following default by the
Contractor), but does not limit liability under Sub-Clause 16.4 (following default
by the Employer).
The Employer's liability is subject to Sub-Clause 14.14.
The Contractor's liability is limited to an amount which is to be stated in the
Particular Conditions, unless the words at the end of the second paragraph are to
be applicable. Liabilities under the following Sub-Clauses are excluded from this
limitation of liability:
- Sub-Clauses 4.19 and 4.20, for payments for services actually used by the
Contractor,
- Sub-Clause 17.1, for indemnity against claims from third parties generally,
and
- Sub-Clause 17.5, for indemnity against claims from third parties in respect
of intellectual or industrial property rights.
Sub-Clause 17.6 may be affected by the applicable law, which may limit a Party's
liability to a greater or lesser amount, and/or may limit the duration of its liability.
Although the General Conditions do not specify any limit to the duration of the
Contractor's liability:
- Under some common law jurisdictions, a period of liability may not begin
until the Employer ought reasonably to have been aware of the
Contractor's defective work.
- Under some civil law jurisdictions, the Contractor will be liable absolutely
(i.e., without proof of fault) for hidden defects for ten years from completion
(which is called decennial liability).
- Unless the Works include major items of Plant, it may be inappropriate for
the Contract to limit the duration of the Contractor's liability.
- If the Works include major items of Plant, it is usually appropriate for the
Contract to limit the duration of the Contractor's liability for such Plant; for
example, to a stated number of years after the completion date stated in
the Taking-Over Certificate. After a few years' operation, it becomes
increasingly difficult to establish whether any alleged defects are
attributable to the Plant's design, manufacture, manuals, operation,
maintenance, or a combination of these and/or other matters.
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The liabilities of the Parties, other than in relation to effecting insurance, are not to
be interpreted from this Clause 18. It is these liabilities, in accordance with the
other terms of the Contract, which will be relevant whenever an element of loss or
damage is not covered by insurance. For example, an insurer may bear the
amount of a claim except for the deductible. The latter would be borne by the
Employer if the claim arose from an Employer's risk, or by the Contractor if it arose
from a Contractor's risk.
Although the listing of Employer's risks takes account of the extent to which
insurance cover is available in many countries, the listing is not intended to
reflect insurance practice. In some cases, those risks which may be uninsurable
are included as Employer's risks, although they are to be insured wherever
possible. However, the availability or otherwise of insurance does not determine
a Party's risks.
Insurance is generally advisable to protect both Parties from the financial
consequences of unexpected loss, damage or liability. At any given time, it is
difficult for any published form of contract to define the precise extent of insurance
cover which will be reasonably available for all Works for which the publication
may be used. Clause 18 specifies insurance requirements in terms of the cover
which is typically available, but the Contract may have to take account of the
cover which is actually available.
The primary purpose of insurance is to ensure that the Contractor has the financial
capability to execute the Works irrespective of fortuitous loss or damage. Where
a risk is allocated to the Employer, the insurance should (wherever possible)
enable the Employer to pay for the rectification of damage caused by an
Employer's risk. Additionally, if the Contractor fails to complete the Works, the
insurance should enable the Employer to pay another contractor to rectify loss or
damage to incomplete works.
18.1 General Requirements for Insurances
Wherever the Contractor is to be required to effect insurance, in accordance with
the unaltered provisions in the General Conditions, the Employer may wish to
obtain details of such arrangements and agree the main operative terms of the
insurance policies in accordance with the second paragraph of Sub-Clause 18.1.
The Instructions to Tenderers may request tenderers to submit details of their
insurer(s) and of the insurances which they will provide under this Clause:
including conditions, limits, exclusions and deductibles/excesses. The Employer's
particular requirements may be included in the Particular Conditions. Insurers and
their terms are subject to the Employer's approval, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed: see Sub-Clause 1.3.
Wherever the Employer is to be required to effect insurance, in accordance with
an appropriate Particular Condition, tenderers need to know the general terms of
such insurance. The Employer should annex details to the Particular Conditions,
in accordance with the third paragraph of Sub-Clause 18.1.
Typically, insurances are obtained by the Contractor, often from insurers with
whom he maintains a continuous commercial relationship and who therefore may
be able to offer competitive terms. Sometimes, however, the Employer elects to
obtain insurance for all the contracts for a particular project, with a view to
achieving competitive terms due to economies of scale and reduced duplication
of insurance.
The General Conditions assume that the Contractor is to be required to effect
insurances, but facilitate amendment (as described in the GPPC) to cover the
alternative of Employer-provided insurance. This flexibility is achieved by the use
of the phrase "insuring Party", whom the General Conditions state shall be the
Contractor. Whoever is to be the insuring Party under the Contract, the other
Party will need to know, before entering into the Contract, the general terms of
the insurances which the insuring Party will be obliged to effect under the
Contract.
Clause 18 Insurance
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In this Clause, “insuring Party” means, for each type
of insurance, the Party responsible for effecting and
maintaining the insurance specified in the relevant
Sub-Clause.
Wherever the Contractor is the insuring Party, each
insurance shall be effected with insurers and in
terms approved by the Employer. These terms shall
be consistent with any terms agreed by both Parties
before the date of the Letter of Acceptance. This
agreement of terms shall take precedence over the
provisions of this Clause.
Wherever the Employer is the insuring Party, each
terms consistent with the details annexed to the
Particular Conditions.
If a policy is required to indemnify joint insured, the
cover shall apply separately to each insured as
though a separate policy had been issued for each
of the joint insured. If a policy indemnifies additional
joint insured, namely in addition to the insured
specified in this Clause, (i) the Contractor shall act
under the policy on behalf of these additional joint
insured except that the Employer shall act for
Employer’s Personnel, (ii) additional joint insured
shall not be entitled to receive payments directly
from the insurer or to have any other direct dealings
with the insurer, and (iii) the insuring Party shall
require all additional joint insured to comply with the
conditions stipulated in the policy.
Each policy insuring against loss or damage shall
provide for payments to be made in the currencies
required to rectify the loss or damage. Payments
received from insurers shall be used for the
rectification of the loss or damage.
The relevant insuring Party shall, within the
In this Clause, “insuring Party” means, for each type
Sub-Clause.
before the date of the Letter of Acceptance. This
Employer’s Personnel, (ii) additional joint insured
In this Clause, "insuring Party" means, for each type
Sub-Clause.
before they signed the Contract Agreement. This
Employer's Personnel, (ii) additional joint insured
CONS P&DB EPCT
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respective periods stated in the Appendix to Tender
(calculated from the Commencement Date), submit
to the other Party:
(a) evidence that the insurances described in this
Clause have been effected, and
(b) copies of the policies for the insurances
described in Sub-Clause 18.2 [ Insurance for
Works and Contractor’s Equipment ] and
Sub-Clause 18.3 [ Insurance against Injury to
When each premium is paid, the insuring Party shall
submit evidence of payment to the other Party.
Whenever evidence or policies are submitted, the
insuring Party shall also give notice to the Engineer.
Each Party shall comply with the conditions
stipulated in each of the insurance policies. The
insuring Party shall keep the insurers informed of
any relevant changes to the execution of the Works
and ensure that insurance is maintained in
Neither Party shall make any material alteration to
the terms of any insurance without the prior
approval of the other Party. If an insurer makes (or
attempts to make) any alteration, the Party first
notified by the insurer shall promptly give notice to
the other Party.
If the insuring Party fails to effect and keep in force
any of the insurances it is required to effect and
maintain under the Contract, or fails to provide
satisfactory evidence and copies of policies in
accordance with this Sub-Clause, the other Party
may (at its option and without prejudice to any other
right or remedy) effect insurance for the relevant
coverage and pay the premiums due. The insuring
respective periods stated in the Appendix to Tender
(calculated from the Commencement Date), submit
to the other Party:
described in Sub-Clause 18.2 [ Insurance for
Works and Contractor’s Equipment ] and
Whenever evidence or policies are submitted, the
insuring Party shall also give notice to the Engineer.
the other Party.
respective periods stated in the Particular
Conditions (calculated from the Commencement
Date), submit to the other Party:
described in Sub-Clause 18.2 [ Insurance of
Works and Contractor's Equipment ] and
the other Party.
CONS P&DB EPCT
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Party shall pay the amount of these premiums to
the other Party, and the Contract Price shall be
adjusted accordingly.
Nothing in this Clause limits the obligations, liabilities
or responsibilities of the Contractor or the Employer,
under the other terms of the Contract or otherwise.
Any amounts not insured or not recovered from the
insurers shall be borne by the Contractor and/or the
Employer in accordance with these obligations,
liabilities or responsibilities. However, if the insuring
Party fails to effect and keep in force an insurance
which is available and which it is required to effect
and maintain under the Contract, and the other
Party neither approves the omission nor effects
insurance for the coverage relevant to this default,
any moneys which should have been recoverable
under this insurance shall be paid by the insuring
Party.
Payments by one Party to the other Party shall be
subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s Claims ] or
Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor’s Claims ], as
applicable.
Party.
subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer’s Claims ] or
Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor’s Claims ], as
applicable.
Party.
subject to Sub-Clause 2.5 [ Employer's Claims ] or
Sub-Clause 20.1 [ Contractor's Claims ], as
applicable.
Comments on the first three paragraphs are included before the text: see above.
The fourth paragraph refers to "joint insured", including the jointly-insured Parties
in accordance with sub-paragraph (b) of Sub-Clauses 18.2 and 18.3. The fourth
paragraph continues by referring to the situation when "a policy indemnifies
additional joint insured". If the Contractor is the insuring Party, he may wish to
extend insurance cover so that a Subcontractor is indemnified. If the Employer is
the insuring Party, he may wish to extend insurance cover so that another
occupant of the Site is indemnified.
Typically, when an insurance policy indemnifies joint insured, they are jointly
entitled to receive payment from the insurer in respect of an insurance claim. The
insurer should regard them as joint clients, make payment to both (or all) of them,
and leave them to determine their respective entitlements under the policy. If the
only insured are the Parties themselves, the insurer should pay them both and will
then have no obligation to monitor how the payment is held or allocated between
them, or how it is used to rectify the consequences of the insured circumstances.
The insurer may wish to do so, in order to minimise the insurance claim. See the
fifth paragraph of this Sub-Clause, and Sub-Clause 18.2(b).
This situation is reasonable with only two joint insured, namely the Parties, but
could be wholly unreasonable if the insuring Party arranged for the policy to
indemnify other joint insured. Therefore, the fourth paragraph prevents additional
joint insured from claiming or receiving monies directly from the insurer, and
CONS P&DB EPCT
RB 21.3 & 25; YB 43.5-43.8; OB 18.5
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(i.e., the penultimate) paragraph of Sub-Clause 18.1. It allows for the possibility of
the other Party approving the omission, or effecting insurance itself. Although it
might seem strange for the other Party to have approved the omission of a
specified insurance, this necessarily includes approving a policy which (as is
usually the case) is subject to exclusions and deductibles/excesses.
If the insuring Party fails to effect insurance, the other Party would usually not
approve but might not wish to effect insurance itself. In this case, the insuring
Party is liable for any monies which (following, and because of, the occurrence of
an insurable event) should have been recoverable under the insurance which the
insuring Party failed to effect and maintain.
The first half of the penultimate (i.e., the eleventh) paragraph of Sub-Clause 18.1
addresses the typical situation when:
- the insuring Party is maintaining insurance in accordance with the Contract,
other than (possibly) to the extent of any approved exclusions, deductibles
or other limits in the cover; and subsequently
- a Party incurs cost which is not recoverable from the insurer, possibly
because of an exclusion, deductible or other limit in the cover.
In this typical situation, liability in respect of the amounts not insured or not
recoverable from insurers is to be determined by reference to the other provisions of
the Contract, and not by reference to the obligation to insure under Clause 18. It is
not intended to impose, on either Party, an obligation to insure all risks under the
Contract. The Clause only requires certain insurances to be effected, each of which
will apply in accordance with the actual terms of the policy. Actual terms will probably
include conditions, limits, exclusions and deductibles/excesses.
The liabilities of the Parties, other than in relation to effecting insurance, are not to be
interpreted from this Clause 18. It is these liabilities, in accordance with the other
terms of the Contract, which will be relevant whenever an element of loss or damage
is not covered by insurance. For example, an insurer may bear the amount of a claim
except for the deductible. The latter would be borne by the Employer if the claim
arose from an Employer's risk, or by the Contractor if it arose from a Contractor's risk.
Under P&DB or EPCT, or under CONS if the Contractor designs major parts of the
Works, the Contractor may also be required to effect professional indemnity
insurance, example text for which is published in P&DB's GPPC. When preparing
the tender documents, the Employer should consider whether he requires this
insurance, taking account of the status of the prequalified tenderers and their
apparent ability to self-insure.
defines who is to claim for and receive these insurance monies on behalf of a
claimant joint insured.
The insuring Party is required, within the prescribed periods, to submit to the other
Party:
(a) evidence, which could be in the form of appropriate certificates from the
insurers, that the insurances described in Clause 18 have been effected;
and, in particular, that the insurances mentioned in the first paragraph of
Sub-Clause 18.2 (see below) become fully effective by the date by which
this evidence was required to be submitted; and
(b) copies of the policies for the insurances described in Sub-Clauses 18.2 and
18.3.
If a Party fails to comply with a condition of an insurance policy, he will be in
breach of the eighth paragraph of Sub-Clause 18.1. No mention is made of the
consequences, the most serious being the possibility of the insurer becoming
entitled to withhold cover under the policy in respect of such Party's losses.
The third from last (i.e., the tenth) paragraph of Sub-Clause 18.1 prescribes the
consequences of the insuring Party's failure:
- to effect and keep in force any of the insurances it is required to effect and
maintain, or
- to provide the documentation described in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b).
The other Party may (but is not bound to) effect and maintain insurance, up to
the extent prescribed by the Contract, and recover the premiums from the
insuring Party: subject to the last paragraph of Sub-Clause 18.1, namely the
appropriate claim procedure. Such other Party does not have to ascertain
whether insurance cover is actually in force. This entitlement to effect insurance
only depends on the lack of evidence from the insuring Party. Although not a
requirement of Sub-Clause 18.1, the insuring Party should first be given notice of
the evidence required, of the reasonable date by which the other Party must
receive it, and of the intention to effect insurance if the evidence is not received
by that date. In most countries, this other Party would be obliged to act
reasonably in issuing this notice to the insuring Party and in subsequently
procuring economical insurance.
However, the other Party may, without actually approving the omission, elect not
to effect and maintain an insurance which the insuring Party has failed to effect or
failed to evidence. This situation is addressed in the second half of the eleventh
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The insuring Party shall insure the Works, Plant,
Materials and Contractor’s Documents for not less
than the full reinstatement cost including the costs
of demolition, removal of debris and professional
fees and profit. This insurance shall be effective from
the date by which the evidence is to be submitted
under sub-paragraph (a) of Sub-Clause 18.1
[ General Requirements for Insurances ], until the
date of issue of the Taking-Over Certificate for the
Works.
The insuring Party shall maintain this insurance to
provide cover until the date of issue of the
Performance Certificate, for loss or damage for
which the Contractor is liable arising from a cause
occurring prior to the issue of the Taking-Over
Certificate, and for loss or damage caused by the
Contractor in the course of any other operations
(including those under Clause 11 [ Defects Liability ]).
The insuring Party shall insure the Contractor’s
Equipment for not less than the full replacement
value, including delivery to Site. For each item of
Contractor’s Equipment, the insurance shall be
effective while it is being transported to the Site and
until it is no longer required as Contractor’s
Equipment.
insurances under this Sub-Clause:
(a) shall be effected and maintained by the
Contractor as insuring Party,
(b) shall be in the joint names of the Parties, who
shall be jointly entitled to receive payments
Materials and Contractor's Documents for not less
Works.
Contractor in the course of any other operations
(including those under Clause 11 [ Defects Liability ]
and Clause 12 [ Tests after Completion ]).
The insuring Party shall insure the Contractor's
Contractor's Equipment, the insurance shall be
until it is no longer required as Contractor's
Equipment.
a) shall be effected and maintained by the
Materials and Contractor's Documents for not less
Works.
Contractor or Subcontractors in the course of any
other operations (including those under Clause 11
[ Defects Liability ] and Clause 12 [ Tests after
Completion ]).
The insuring Party shall insure the Contractor's
Contractor's Equipment, the insurance shall be
until it is no longer required as Contractor's
Equipment.
(a) shall be effected and maintained by the
CONS P&DB EPCT
18.2 Insurance for Works and Contractor’s Equipment
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from the insurers, payments being held or
allocated between the Parties for the sole
purpose of rectifying the loss or damage,
(c) shall cover all loss and damage from any
cause not listed in Sub-Clause 17.3
[ Employer’s Risks ],
(d) shall also cover loss or damage to a part of
the Works which is attributable to the use or
occupation by the Employer of another part
of the Works, and loss or damage from the
risks listed in sub-paragraphs (c), (g) and (h)
of Sub-Clause 17.3 [ Employer’s Risks ],
excluding (in each case) risks which are not
insurable at commercially reasonable terms,
with deductibles per occurrence of not more
than the amount stated in the Appendix to
Tender (if an amount is not so stated, this
sub-paragraph (d) shall not apply), and
(e) may however exclude loss of, damage to,
and reinstatement of:
(i) a part of the Works which is in a defective
condition due to a defect in its design,
materials or workmanship (but cover shall
include any other parts which are lost or
damaged as a direct result of this
defective condition and not as described
in sub-paragraph (ii) below),
(ii) a part of the Works which is lost or
damaged in order to reinstate any other
part of the Works if this other part is in a
defective condition due to a defect in its
design, materials or workmanship,
(iii) a part of the Works which has been taken
over by the Employer, except to the extent
[ Employer's Risks ],
(d) shall also cover loss or damage to a part of
the Works which is attributable to the use or
occupation by the Employer of another part
of the Works, and loss or damage from the
risks listed in sub-paragraphs (c), (g) and (h)
of Sub-Clause 17.3 [ Employer's Risks ],
excluding (in each case) risks which are not
insurable at commercially reasonable terms,
with deductibles per occurrence of not more
than the amount stated in the Appendix to
Tender (if an amount is not so stated, this
sub-paragraph (d) shall not apply), and
[ Employer's Risks ],
(d) shall also cover loss or damage from the risks
listed in sub-paragraph (c) of Sub-Clause
17.3 [ Employer's Risks ], with deductibles
per occurrence of not more than the amount
stated in the Particular Conditions (if an
amount is not so stated, this sub-paragraph
(d) shall not apply), and
CONS P&DB EPCT
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that the Contractor is liable for the loss or
damage, and
(iv) Goods while they are not in the Country,
subject to Sub-Clause 14.5 [ Plant and
Materials intended for the Works ].
If, more than one year after the Base Date, the cover
described in sub-paragraph (d) above ceases to be
available at commercially reasonable terms, the
Contractor shall (as insuring Party) give notice to the
Employer, with supporting particulars. The Employer
shall then (i) be entitled subject to Sub-Clause 2.5
[ Employer's Claims ] to payment of an amount
equivalent to such commercially reasonable terms as
the Contractor should have expected to have paid
for such cover, and (ii) be deemed, unless he obtains
the cover at commercially reasonable terms, to have
approved the omission under Sub-Clause 18.1
[ General Requirements for Insurances ].
damage, and
damage, and
This Sub-Clause specifies the insurance of the Works, Goods and Contractor's
Documents, which is typically regarded as an essential part of any major
engineering or construction project. Unless the Particular Conditions state
otherwise, these insurances are arranged by the Contractor, who may wish to
consult insurance experts.
The insurance of the Works, Plant, Materials and Contractor's Documents is to be
effective by the date by which evidence is to be submitted, as defined in Sub-
Clause 18.1(a), and is to be effective until the Taking-Over Certificate has been
issued for the Works. This first date should be specified with care, in order to
reduce the likelihood of work proceeding before insurances are effective. Under a
CONS contract, insurances may need to be effective from the Commencement
Date. Under P&DB or EPCT, this may be unnecessary because no insurable
activities may be initiated for some time.
The insurance of each item of the Contractor's Equipment is to be effective "while
it is being transported to the Site" under the third paragraph, but may exclude
items "while they are not in the Country" under sub-paragraph (e)(iv) of Sub-
Clause 18.2 (although marine transit insurance may be advisable). In other words,
each item is to be insured by the time it arrives in the Country. An item which was
in the Country, either stored or on another site, is to be insured before it leaves
storage or such other site. The insurance is then to continue "until it is no longer
required as Contractor's Equipment". In other words, cover is to continue until the
item is no longer "required for the execution and completion of the Works and the
remedying of any defects": quoting the definition in Sub-Clause 1.1.5.1.
The insurance is required by sub-paragraph (b) to be in the joint names of the
Parties, so that each Party is covered and can claim under the policy. Typically, the
Contractor may submit the claim under the policy, because

1999 FIDIC Guide for Consulting Engineers

1999 FIDIC Guide for Consulting Engineers

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1999 FIDIC Guide for Consulting Engineers