Contract Administration in Construction: Methods, Contracts, Tendering, PPMO, FIDIC, and Site Supervision

1.1 Method of work execution

  • Refers to approach or strategy used to carry out tasks and activities in project.
  • Method of work execution depends on project nature, resource and objective.
S/NProcurement MethodContract SizeContractor
1Sealed Bidding  
aICBGreater than 5 Billion NPRInternational or Nepali
bNCB/LCBMore than 20 Lakh to 5 ArabNepali
 
2Sealed QuotationUpto 20 LakhAll
3Direct ProcurementUpto 5 to 10 LakhAll
4Force AccountUpto 1 LakhNone
5Procurement Under Special CircumstanceEmergency/ Special CircumstancesDepends on Contract amount
6Beneficiaries CommunityUpto 5 CroreCompletion is made

1. Sealed Bidding:

a. International competitive bidding (ICB): Global suppliers compete

b. National/Local competitive bidding (NCB/LCB): Local supplies compete.

2. Sealed Quotation: Supplies provide price for project goods or service.

3. Direct Procurement: Purchasing from a single supplier without competition.

4. Procurement under special circumstances: Non-competitive method for emergencies.

5. Force Account: Project owner’s team perform tasks.

6. Beneficiaries community: Local community involvement in project execution.

1.2 Contract-definition

  • Contract is a formal agreement between parties that outlines obligation and rights.

Importance:

  • Establish a shared understanding of what is expected from each party.
  • Protect interest and right of all parties involved.
  • Ensure financial security and business confidence.
  • Minimize dispute.
  • Provide legal protection.

1.3 Types of construction contract

1. Unit price contract:

  • Contractor is paid based on quantities of work at predetermined unit price.

Advantages:

  • Flexible for varying work amount.
  • Easy to measure work progress.

Disadvantages:

  • Final Cost uncertainties.
  • Potential for disputes over quantities.

2. Lump sum contract:

  • Contractor agrees to a fixed sum for completing the entire project.

Advantages:

  • Clear cost and scope.
  • Low owner risk.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited flexibility for changes.
  • Potential dispute over scope changes.

3. Cost plus contract:

  • Contractor is paid for actual cost plus a free.

Advantages:

  • Transparency in costs.
  • Flexible for changes.

Disadvantages:

  • Uncertain in final cost.
  • Potential for higher expenses.

4. Design and Build Contract:

  • Contractor handles both design and construction responsibilities.

Advantages:

  • Faster delivery.
  • Streamlined process.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited owner design control.
  • Potential conflict.

5. EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contract:

  • Contractor handles engineering, procurement and construction.

Advantages:

  • Single responsibility.
  • Suitable for complex projects.

Disadvantage:

  • Higher cost.
  • Potential for dispute.

6. BOOT (Build Own Operate Transfer) contract:

  • Contractor builds, operate and transfer ownership after a specified period.

Advantages:

  • Private financing and operation.
  • Risk transferred to contractor.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited control for owner.
  • Higher cost to end user.

1.4 Tender and tender documents

Tender:

  • It is an offer or proposal submitted by a contractor or supplier in response to an invitation to bid for a project.
  • Contractor or suppliers compete by providing their best price and terms to win the project contract.

Tender document: (Bidding document)

  • It is the detailed instruction and information provided to potential contractors for submitting tenders.
  • It includes:
    • Notice of invitation for bids
    • Letter for invitation for bids
    • Project description
    • Instruction to bidders
    • Bid submission requirement
    • Technical specification
    • Contract terms

1.5 Tender notice

  • Public announcement issued by an organization or government agency to invite potential contractor suppliers to submit their bids or proposal for a specific project or service.
  • Information in Tender notice:
    • Date, time and place of tender
    • Name of authorities inviting tender
    • Nature of work and its location
    • Tender deadline
    • Eligibility criteria
    • Contact details
    • Bid submission information

1.6 Preparation before inviting tender

  • Project preparation: Define project need and requirement.
  • Estimating quantities: Calculate required materials and resource.
  • Cost estimate: Determine the projects overall cost.
  • Approval of estimate: Get approval for the cost calculation.
  • Resource planning: Plan and allocate necessary resource.
  • Tender document preparation: Create detailed tender document with project information.

1.7 Consultant’s/Contractor’s prequalification

  • Prequalification is a selection process where potential consultants or contractor are evaluated based on their qualification, experience and financial capacity before being invited to bid for a project.

Matters to be stated in prequalification documents:

  • Company information: Name, address, contact and legal status of the consultant/contractor.
    • Experience and track record: Details of past project and relevant work completed.
    • Financial statement: Proof of financial stability and capacity to handle the project.
    • Technical capacities: Description of expertise and available resource.
    • Reference: Client feedback to verify past performance and reputation.

Advantages:

  • Ensures qualified and experienced candidate.
  • Saves time in evaluating irrelevant proposals.

Disadvantages:

  • Reduce competition.
  • Increases administrative workload.

1.8 Bid evaluation and selection of a consultant and contractor

Bid Evaluation:

  • Process of selecting most suitable and qualified bidder for project based on predefined evaluation criteria.

Steps of Bid Evaluation:

  • Opening of Bid: Publicly reveal and record submitted bids.
  • Preliminary Examination: Review bids for clear information and meeting basic requirement.
  • Prequalification Check: Verify bidder’s qualification and eligibility.
  • Detail Evaluation: Evaluate technical and financial aspect of bids using predefined criteria.

1.9 Contract agreement

A written document that explains the terms and condition of an agreement between parties.

2.0 Condition of contract (PPMO and FIDIC)

  • The terms and provision that governs the right, obligations and responsibilities of parties in a contractual agreement is called condition of contract.

PPMO (Public Procurement Management Office):

  • PPMO is the governing body in Nepal responsible for managing public procurement and setting the contract for government project.
  • Aims for transparency, efficiency and fairness in government projects.

FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers):

  • FIDIC is an international organization that sets standard condition of contract for construction and engineering projects worldwide.
  • Focuses on fair risk allocation and transparency.

2.1 Public Procurement Act and Public Procurement Regulation

Public Procurement Act (PPA):

  • It is a legal framework that governs the procurement process for public projects and services.

Objective:

  • To ensure transparency, fairness in public procurement.
  • To promote completion among bidders.

Feature:

  • Provide rules and guideline for public procurement.
  • Defines procurement method.

Public Procurement Regulation (PPR):

  • It provides detailed guideline and procedure to implement the public procurement act.

Objective:

  • To standardized application of procurement practice.

Feature:

  • Specifies procurement procedure.
  • Bid evaluation.
  • Contract management.

2.2 Duties and responsibilities of a site supervisor

Site Engineer:

  • A professional engineer responsible for managing and supervising construction activities on site.
  • Ensures that the project is executed accordingly to design, quality standard and safety regulation.

Responsibilities of a site supervisor:

1. Quality concerns

  • Ensure construction work meets specified quality standards.
  • Conduct inspection and check quality and fix any issues.
  • Maintain accurate records of quality control measures and improvement.

2. Progress concerns

  • Monitor and track daily progress of construction activities on site.
  • Report progress to project manager.

3. Cost concerns

  • Manage and optimize the use of materials and resource to control costs.
  • Keep track of expenses and budget to avoid over spending.

2.3 Supervising work of a contractor

Works followed for supervision of works of a contractor:

1. Progress of work:

  • Regular monitoring and supervision.
  • Checking schedule periodically.

2. Testing:

  • Works, material & equipment.
  • Testing as per specification and contract.

3. Regular supervision of works:

  • Field supervision.
  • Environmental protection, safety of workers.

2.4 Site order book

  • A record-keeping book used on construction sites to document various instruction, orders and changes issued by the site supervisor or engineer.
  • Helps communicate and track on site decisions to contractor and workers.

2.5 Procedure to prepare bill

  • Bills are the claims for payment of work performed.

Steps to make bill for payment in construction project management:

  • Keep a record of completed work and resource used.
  • Measure the quantities of material and labor.
  • Find the cost for each unit of resource used (Rate analysis).
  • Calculate individual costs by multiplying quantities with rates.
  • Add up all costs for different components (add subtotal).
  • Includes additional expenses like taxes or overhead.
  • Apply any applicable discounts or taxes.
  • Show final bill to client for payment.

2.6 Difference between Running Bill and Final Bill

Running BillFinal Bill
Submitted periodically during the project.Submitted at project completion.
Covers work done upto a certain date.Covers the entire project.
Helps track payment and cost.Provide final financial settlement for project.

2.7 Muster roll, Measurement books

Muster Roll:

  • Used for keeping a complete record of attendance, payment made, unpaid wages and work done by daily labor.
  • It has three parts:

Part I: Detailed information of labor engaged, attendance, rate

Part II: Record of unpaid wages.

Part III: Record of completed works.

Measurement Books:

  • Used on construction sites to document the measurement of completed work and resource used.
  • Feature:
    • Contains details of work and date.
    • All measurement is recorded in ink.
    • Quantity of work done is recorded.

2.8 Progress reporting

  • Regular updates on the status of project tasks.
  • Includes completed tasks, milestone reached and challenged encountered.
  • Gives information for making adjustment and strategic decision.

Reference:

 Harold Kerzner (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling.
• PMI (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) – 7th Edition.
• Nebosh, Nepal Engineering Council Syllabus (2024). Engineering Professional Practice Notes.
• Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (CESMM).
• Personal Class Notes & Presentations from Nepalese Engineering Institutions.

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