Accepted programme
Within the NEC Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC), the ‘accepted programme’, is identified within the Contract Data.
The contractor prepares a programme for the works, which is then submitted to the project manager for their approval. If it is approved, this becomes the 'accepted programme'. The programme should be practicable and realistic, showing when the contractor intends to carry out each part of the works and identifying the resource they intend to use. Ref. NEC Dictionary.
The contract may also require that a revised programme is prepared regularly, setting out the sequence of activities, progress, and the effect of compensation events. This must then be submitted to the project manager, and if accepted, this becomes the accepted programme, sometimes referred to as the updated programme. The final updated programme will show the as-built programme.
Within the ECC, the ‘activity schedule’ allocates a price to each activity undertaken during the works. This simplifies the administration of the interim payment process. The accepted programme shows how the activities on the activity schedule are programmed. The accepted programme and the activity schedule need not show exactly the same activities, but there should be correlation between them, and they should be kept up to date.
Without an accepted programme the contract cannot be administered properly. Under such circumstances, 25% of payments can be withheld, and it is not possible to assess compensation events.
Accepting the programme does not discharge the contractor of any responsibility, it simply accepts that the programme is realistic and that it can be used to assess future changes. If the programme is not accepted by the project manager, reasons for not accepting it must be given.
Reasons might include:
- It is not practical.
- It does not show required information.
- It does not properly represent the actual programme for activities.
- It does not show the full works.
Failure to accept or reject a programme may constitute a compensation event.
NEC4 introduces the new concept of ‘treated acceptance’, by which the project manager has a specified period of time to notify the contractor whether the programme has been accepted or not. If they fail to notify the contractor within this period, the programme is deemed to be accepted.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Activity schedule.
- Baseline programme.
- Compensation event.
- Contract conditions.
- Contract data.
- Contractor's master programme.
- Defined cost.
- Delay damages.
- Disallowed cost.
- Early warning notice.
- Key dates.
- NEC contract change management systems.
- NEC early contractor involvement.
- NEC3.
- Programme.
- Programme for building design and construction.
- Programme narrative.
- Progress in construction.
- Short period programme.
- Tender works programme.
- Time Risk Allowance TRA.
- Works information.
- Z clauses.
Featured articles and news
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.
London Build Fire and Security Expo
20-21 Nov and now with new Ambassador Programme..