Contract Administration and Bidding
Contract types and documents
Know lump sum, unit price, cost-plus-fee, cost-plus with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP), and design-build. Understand the hierarchy of documents: agreement, supplementary conditions, general conditions, specifications, drawings - and the common clause that the more stringent requirement governs or that specifications control over drawings on quality. Read Instructions to Bidders first; they set the rules for the bid itself.
The bid process
Public work in South Carolina follows statutory procurement rules: sealed bids, advertised openings, addenda issued before the deadline, and no post-opening negotiation of price. Bidders must acknowledge every addendum; failure to do so can render a bid nonresponsive. Bid bonds are typically 5% of the bid; performance and payment bonds are typically 100% of the contract amount. A bid may be withdrawn before opening without penalty; after opening, withdrawal generally forfeits the bid security unless a bona fide clerical error is proven promptly.
Administration during construction
Understand notice to proceed, submittals and shop drawings, RFIs, change orders, differing site conditions, suspension of work, substantial vs. final completion, liquidated damages, warranties, and closeout documents (as-builts, O&M manuals, lien waivers, consent of surety). Know the difference between pay-if-paid (risk shifts to the subcontractor) and pay-when-paid (timing only).
Traps
- Assuming an owner can always direct extra work without a written change order.
- Missing that a subcontractor's bid scope exclusion shifts cost to the general contractor.
- Treating verbal direction as binding when the contract requires written notice within a set number of days.
Rule of thumb
On any dispute question, the answer usually starts with written notice within the contract's stated time period - notice preserves rights; silence waives them.