Contract Administration, Bidding, and Project Management
This domain tests how a contractor assembles and administers a bid, interprets contract documents, manages changes and submittals, and protects time and payment rights. Expect questions on bid bonds, contract types, document priority, substantial completion, retainage, and delay claims.
Core rules and concepts
- Contract documents usually rank in a stated order: agreement, general conditions, specifications, drawings, and addenda. A well-drafted contract resolves conflicts explicitly; the contractor should issue an RFI rather than guess.
- Public bidding in Nebraska generally requires advertising, a bid bond or other security, and award to the lowest responsible bidder. Performance and payment bonds protect the owner and subcontractors on larger public work.
- Contract types include lump sum, unit price, cost plus, and guaranteed maximum price. Changes must be documented by written change order or directed modification; oral directions are a payment risk.
- Submittals, shop drawings, schedules, pay applications, and retainage all follow contract procedures. Substantial completion triggers warranty, punch-list, and often retainage release provisions.
Worked example
An addendum issued three days before bid opening changes a door hardware schedule. A bidder submits a price but does not acknowledge the addendum. The bid is rejected as nonresponsive because the bidder did not incorporate the changed requirement. The low bidder's mistake does not excuse the omission.
Traps that cost marks
Relying on oral change orders; failing to acknowledge addenda; missing lien-waiver deadlines in pay applications; assuming "pay when paid" eliminates the contractor's obligation; and confusing substantial completion with final completion.
Key point: bid responsiveness and written change control decide many disputes.