Named supplier in construction contracts
Naming suppliers allows the client to influence the main contractor's selection of suppliers, whilst leaving responsibility for their performance with the main contractor.
To name suppliers, the client first identifies a list of potential suppliers. They may invite these potential suppliers to submit tenders. The client then names a short-list of acceptable suppliers in the tender documents for the main construction contract. The tender documents allow for the named suppliers by including a provisional sum.
When tendering for the main contract, the main contractor makes allowances for mark up, attendance and programme in relation to the named suppliers. Once appointed, the successful contractor seeks tenders from the named suppliers (although they may reasonably object to any of them). If the client previously sought tenders form the named suppliers, they may pass these on to the main contractor, although it is the responsibility of the main contractor to negotiate an actual price.
Once the main contractor has selected and appointed a supplier, the provisional sum is replaced with the actual price agreed.
The main contractor pays the named supplier and the main contractor is responsible for their works. However, if the materials or goods supplied turn out not to be fit for purpose, then whoever named them will be responsible, not the contractor, unless the contractor was able to choose from a number of products available from the named supplier and they selected one that was unfit for purpose when others were available.
On public sector projects, a supply contract for which the client intends to provide a named list of possible suppliers may be subject to the requirements of the OJEU procurement rules.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.