12th February 2007, 02:33 PM
OK, looking at this no-longer-hypothetical case (not entirely a surprise) from a consultant's perspective, this is what I would probably have done (trying to avoid the application of hindsight):
1 - assuming the site was identified early enough in the process, I would have sought the relocation of the settling pond;
2 - unless the curator said no, I would have been looking to enhance the information available from the geophysics, probably through either resistivity, trial trenching or small-scale test pits, or a combination;
3 - if the excavation crew did find themselves with much more on their plate than anticipated, I would expect the unit to come to me saying they need more time/resources (and therefore more money);
4 - I would challenge the unit's requests, to ensure that they can justify what they are asking for - but once convinced I would tell the client that the request is reasonable and that they should stump up;
5 - we would have started with a Specification and Bill of Quantities that automatically built-in a substantial contingency allowance in the form of 'provisional sums', so that the bulk of the extra cost would already be included in the tender price (but not to be actually spent unless something unexpected came up).
The ICE Conditions of Contract for Archaeological Investigation, if properly applied, has quite good provisions to deal with this kind of situation. It also puts the consultant in quite a strong position to tell the client that they should pay.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
1 - assuming the site was identified early enough in the process, I would have sought the relocation of the settling pond;
2 - unless the curator said no, I would have been looking to enhance the information available from the geophysics, probably through either resistivity, trial trenching or small-scale test pits, or a combination;
3 - if the excavation crew did find themselves with much more on their plate than anticipated, I would expect the unit to come to me saying they need more time/resources (and therefore more money);
4 - I would challenge the unit's requests, to ensure that they can justify what they are asking for - but once convinced I would tell the client that the request is reasonable and that they should stump up;
5 - we would have started with a Specification and Bill of Quantities that automatically built-in a substantial contingency allowance in the form of 'provisional sums', so that the bulk of the extra cost would already be included in the tender price (but not to be actually spent unless something unexpected came up).
The ICE Conditions of Contract for Archaeological Investigation, if properly applied, has quite good provisions to deal with this kind of situation. It also puts the consultant in quite a strong position to tell the client that they should pay.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished