Civil Engineering Project Management (4th Edition)

authorities. A range of standard forms of conditions provides for different types
of employer and for payment by lump sum or quantities. Usually an architect
or contract administrator supervises construction and issues certificates for
payment, but a civil engineer may carry out these duties for structural works.
Quantity surveyors, advisory to the architect, draw up bills of quantities and
produce valuations and estimates.
Unlike civil engineering work, items in the bills contain descriptions of what
is required in addition to any specification included in the contract documents,
and the work has to be carried out in accordance with the bills and the drawings.
Much of the work is carried out by sub-contractors appointed by the
main contractor or sub-contractors nominated by the employer through the
architect. The need for nomination arises so that the architect can obtain exactly
the finishes, etc. he wishes to suit his designs. This tends to result in an increased
possibility of disputes arising. A Clerk of Works may be appointed to supervise
work on site for the employer but with very limited powers under the contract.
It is thus possible for there to be three separate appointments – architect, quantity
surveyor and clerk of works – taking part in supervision and this splitting
of responsibilities and duties can lead to problems.
A Management form of JCT Contract was introduced in 1987 under which
the onus for carrying out the work is placed upon a management contractor:
that is, a firm of builders or civil engineers whose primary input is to manage
and co-ordinate the inputs of sub-contractors (see Sections 1.10 and 2.5(b)).
4.5 Conditions mainly for plant and equipment supply
I Mech E Model Form A
Contract conditions used for civil engineering work 47
This form, together with modifications that can be adopted (such as ‘Form G’
and a combined version called ‘G90’) is intended for contractor design, manufacture,
supply, and installation of mechanical, electrical and instrumentation
plant of all sorts. The form is still in use especially in its modified G90 form in
the water industry despite the introduction of MF1 (see below). The contract
allows for definition of what is required in outline and by specification, the
contractor being responsible for the design and manufacture or procurement.
The total plant required for a project is often procured by issue of contracts
covering separate specialities, such as pumps and motors, switchgear, or
instrumentation selected to suit the capabilities of tenderers. Provision for any
associated civil works included in the contract is elementary: if they are
required it is best they should be included as a fully designed package that
can be sub-let. Payment terms are usually lump sum, but interim payments
and some items of re-measure can be included. The terms provide for
restricted liability of the contractor for defects other than during the first year
of maintenance.