Spring Workshop Series: Negotiating Contract Terms and Conditions, Bidding and Estimating, and Accounting

Course Description: This day-long workshop will cover three topics.

Negotiating contract terms:

This module will focus on reviewing the terms and conditions found in many typical contracts used in public works projects.  The standard form AGC (Associated General Contractors) contract will be reviewed in all of its’ parts, with special attention given to articles affecting subcontractors and DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) firms in particular. 

Participants will also explore the importance of the scope letter and bid day proposal and how to incorporate certain exclusions and inclusions into the final contract prior to execution by the general contractor and subcontractor. 

Finally, we will discuss the art of negotiating the contract to ensure that all parties are in agreement with the work to be performed and the time in which to perform it in accordance with the general terms and conditions of the contract.

Bidding and Estimating:

This module will focus on bidding practices in accordance with WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge and Municipal Construction and some of the differences between WSDOT contracts and other agency contracts (i.e. Sound Transit, various municipalities, etc.)

The differences between Standard and General Specifications as well as Special Provisions will be discussed as well as the hierarchy of written specifications, plan pages and addenda.

Pricing methods, force account and change orders in addition to change documentation will be reviewed to protect the subcontractor from performing additional work without adequate compensation. 

Accounting and Budgeting:

This module will focus on  general accounting principles and practices for the construction industry, including construction cost accounting, accounting software options and job costing.

Job budgets and general operating budgets will be reviewed, along with the cash flow requirements needed to successfully begin bidding public works projects.  Credit arrangements, joint check agreements and material-on-hand payments will help prepare the subcontractor to anticipate startup costs on jobs and timing of payments. 

Critical path method scheduling and schedule concurrence between the general contractor and subcontractor to ensure adequate time to perform the contracted scope of work will be discussed, along with the practice of short-interval scheduling and job timekeeping.

Emerald Consulting Services, LLC. 
Instructor: Mary Lerdahl

To register email the course instructor at: mary@emeraldconsultingwa.com