Selected subcontractor
Contractors may not have all the required skills or resources necessary to complete the works described in a construction contract, and so sub-contractors are commonly appointed to undertake those aspects of the project.
If subcontractors are selected and appointed by the main contractor themselves, they may be referred to as ‘domestic subcontractors'. Subcontractors that are selected by the client and imposed on the main contractor may be referred to as ‘nominated subcontractors’, and subcontractors that are selected by the contractor from a shortlist pre-selected by the client may be referred to as ‘named contractors’.
See Subcontractors for more information.
However, in some contracts, particularly outside the UK, the term ‘selected subcontractor’ has specific meaning, similar to 'named subcontractor'.
Selected subcontractors are selected by the main contractor from a list of suitable subcontractors provided by the client.
As the main contractor has some control over the selection, they then become responsible for the procurement and works of the selected subcontractor as if they were a domestic subcontractor. It is important therefore that the contractor satisfies themselves that the selected subcontractor is suitable to carry out the works.
Depending on type and wording of the specific contract used, the list of possible selected contractors may be prepared collaboratively by the client and the main contractor, or the main contractor may choose the selected subcontractor from a list prepared by the client before they are appointed and include their details in their tender submission.
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