6th June 2006, 01:38 PM
Posted by Mercenary:
With a provisional quantity, I specify how much is notionally wanted (eg. process 50 soil samples); the tenderer enters a rate and can then calculate a price.
With a provisional sum, I specify an actual amount of money.
Either way, the contractor gets paid for what they actually do - but they have to get the consultant's agreement before doing the work.
Clients do often like lump-sum jobs, but I always advise them that this is rarely appropriate for intrusive archaeological work and is not acceptable for either watching briefs or SMA-type work. I have always won that argument so far (I've been doing it for 13 years).
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
Quote:quote:Sounds sensible. Could not the provisional quantity of archaeology be used in tendering for urban or more intensively occupied sites, so as to avoid contractors going bankrupt due to enexpected discoveries? Or do developers prefer the fixed fee jjobs with no unknowns or risks for themselves?Generally speaking I try to use provisional sums and/or provisional quantities for anything that a tenderer cannot reasonably estimate in advance. This eliminates a lot of risk for the tenderers, but it also means that I can compare tenders on a 'like-for-like' basis.
With a provisional quantity, I specify how much is notionally wanted (eg. process 50 soil samples); the tenderer enters a rate and can then calculate a price.
With a provisional sum, I specify an actual amount of money.
Either way, the contractor gets paid for what they actually do - but they have to get the consultant's agreement before doing the work.
Clients do often like lump-sum jobs, but I always advise them that this is rarely appropriate for intrusive archaeological work and is not acceptable for either watching briefs or SMA-type work. I have always won that argument so far (I've been doing it for 13 years).
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished